Acid-free. Lignin-free. Buffered. Wait a minute…buffered?

Lately we’ve been hearing a lot about the term “buffered” in relation to scrapbooking papers. Suddenly, “Is my paper acid-free, lignin-free and buffered?” is the hot topic among scrapbookers. But what is buffering? Is it important? And how does it affect the longevity of a scrapbook?

Your customers are talking. We have the answers—so you can educate and inform them when they ask!

A Little Background

In order to understand buffering, we first need to start with the pH scale. The pH scale refers to the acidity of a paper; it runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being pH neutral.

The lower the number on the scale, the more acidic the product is. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7.0 or higher. Yet the higher the pH number, the higher the alkaline content. Alkaline can be just as damaging to photos as acid, yet in a different way: it can cause fading when it comes in contact with photos. What to do? The safest bet is to remain at a pH neutral level of 6.5-7.5.

What is Buffered Paper?

Buffered paper has an acid-neutralizing chemical (usually calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate) applied to keep the pH level from varying beyond the accepted 6.5-7.5 safety zone.

“The chemical used to balance the pH is added during the forming of the paper, when the paper is just a slurry of fibers and water and before it’s pressed and dried into sheets of paper,” says Teresa Welch, Vice President of Hot Off The Press. “It's not something that’s added to the surface of the paper after the paper is formed.”

Do you want your paper to be buffered? Yes, if you want to ensure that the paper has a safe balance between acid and alkaline.

However, preservationists warn that buffered paper should not be allowed to touch the front of a photograph, as it can cause color fading over time. Ironically, non-buffered paper will itself fade in color. The solution? Acid-free, PVC-free sheet protectors, which protect against this as well as fingerprints, spills and other potential scrapbooking dangers.

Is My Scrapbook Paper Buffered?

Paper Pizazz® papers are. Says Teresa: “Paper Pizazz® papers contain a buffering agent in order to prevent the pH level from drifting beyond the accepted levels—in either direction on the pH scale. The level of this buffering meets American National Standards Institute’s Permanence of Paper for Publications and Documents in Libraries and Archives.”

“If someone is scrapbooking her photos to preserve memories to pass along to her children, buffered papers work well, limiting the change in the acidity of the papers, yet not alkaline enough to fade the photos,” she adds.

Other Tips for Scrappers

Having acid-free, lignin-free and buffered papers is only one part of scrapbooking. Consider the other factors that play a part in the life of an album: storage condition, chemicals used in development and processing photos and varying specifications for different photo papers.

Much of this is beyond the control of the average scrapbooker, yet scrappers can control factors like basic photo care: proper handling and storage of photos and scrapbooks, using photo-safe materials and protecting pages with PVC-free sheet protectors.

Recommend your customers use sheet protectors, regardless of the type of pages they create. Sheet protectors should be a staple product in your store, along with adhesive and scissors. Sheet protectors are made of PVC-free plastic and designed to slip over an album page to protect it from all kinds of everyday dangers, from fingerprints and spills to the material (whether it be paper or a “lumpy” embellishment) on the opposite page of the spread. Be sure you carry enough sheet protectors to fit all of the album sizes you carry, from 5”x7” for gift albums to 12”x12” for larger scrapbooks.

Does My Scrapbook Paper HAVE to be Buffered?

As with any product, the choice is up to your customer. Some scrappers are strict purists, using only photo-safe materials. Others will use everything but the kitchen sink on a layout, whether it’s acid-free, lignin-free, buffered or not. Most scrappers are somewhere in between these two groups, taking care to be as acid-free as possible—but not necessarily wearing gloves while they scrapbook.

Your responsibility as a retailer is to provide the products your customers want, and the information your customers need to make an informed decision. Remember, your customers are talking. Be sure you have the answers they need!