📋 Acid-Free Supply Shelf Life Reference Chart
A general reference for typical shelf life and storage conditions for common archival scrapbooking supplies.
What the labels on the packet actually mean
The chart calls cardstock indefinite only if the paper is right to begin with. Four terms do the work, and they are not interchangeable:
| Term | What it claims |
|---|---|
| Acid-free | pH of 7 or above when it left the mill |
| Lignin-free | The wood component that yellows and turns acidic over time has been removed |
| Buffered | Carries an alkaline reserve, usually calcium carbonate, to absorb acid that migrates in later |
| PAT (ISO 18916) | Tested against photographic emulsions - the only one of the four that is a standard |
Acid-free paper can still contain lignin, which is why a neutral sheet can yellow in a decade. Look for both words together, and treat "photo-safe" as marketing: no test sits behind it.
Storage is what decides the outcome
- Skip anything vinyl. PVC page protectors give off acidic gas and plasticiser as they age. Polypropylene, polyester and polyethylene do not, which is why the chart calls PVC-free protectors indefinite.
- Cool, dry, dark, above all steady. Roughly 30 to 50% relative humidity suits paper and photographs, and swings between a hot loft and a damp cellar do more damage than a slightly wrong constant.
- Adhesive is the part that fails first. Even a good tape runner is a 5 to 10 year item, so date the packet and use photo corners for anything irreplaceable - they hold the print without touching its back.
Frequently asked questions
Is acid-free the same as archival?
No. Acid-free is one property measured at manufacture; archival is a loose claim about longevity. A sheet that is acid-free, lignin-free and PAT tested is what the word is meant to describe.
Do photo-safe glue sticks go off?
They do. Solvent evaporates and the bond stiffens, so most makers give 5 to 10 years unopened and less once air reaches the stick. Date the packet and replace anything gone tacky or gritty.
Will inkjet prints in an album fade?
Pigment inks on coated photo paper last far longer than dye-based inks, which can visibly shift within a few years in daylight. Keep either out of direct sun and behind PVC-free protectors.