Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I'm thinking of printing off album pages instead of using stockbooks, so was wondering if any UK members can advise on what they use and where they get it from.
Lots of paper I've seen doesn't state if it's acid free, so I'm presuming it's not...
As a subsidiary question, if one uses paper that is NOT acid-free, what actually happens?
Thanks
Peter
Login to Like
this post
You haven't said the size of paper you wish to use but I just did a simple search for 'acid free paper' and got a hit on Acid Free Archival A4 White Paper 100gsm 100 sheet pack on Amazon for £6.95 plus half that again for postage.
So it is out there. I'm sure Coleman's, WH Smith and Staples probably stock such papers too and I dare say in various sizes.
As for using non acid free paper; I know there are strong opinions for its use. The effects of non-acid free paper however, probably only emerge after many years depending on the storage conditions. Just look at old stamp albums. Some admittedly are found in a poor state, where the stamps themselves have deteriorated, yet many show little sign of damage, even after decades of storage.
I suppose a good argument for using acid free paper, is that you would potentially prolong the life of the collection well after the time your are custodian of the collection.
Of course, if you were to use the likes of Hawid stamp mounts, then the type of paper would not matter that much anyway, as the stamps themselves would not be in contact with the paper.
The use of acid free, archival quality paper is probably a bigger issue for collectors with very high value specimens. More-so in regions of high humidity.
We are somewhat fortunate in the UK with our climate. We are classified as having a temperate oceanic climate, where there are no high extremes of temperature and humidity. Consequently, we do not suffer the sometimes severe deterioration of gum and paper that is experienced in climes of high humidity and high extremes of temperature. Consequently, we don't suffer the likes of foxing (rusting) or oxidation of paper (except newspaper), where such characteristics are accelerated in 'acidic' papers.
In summary, I would suggest that stable storage conditions and ventilation are more important.
As far as mounting stamps with hinges on paper is concerned (which I don't do), I would be more concerned about the hinges themselves being acid free.
Login to Like
this post
I was told several years ago by a printer that essentially all paper that was being made at that time was acid-free. I agree with Ningpo that paper quality is probably less important than storage conditions.
Bob
Login to Like
this post
"I was told several years ago by a printer that essentially all paper that was being made at that time was acid-free."
An interesting point. In fact, when I was looking for coloured acid free paper in a branch of our Coleman's stationers some time ago, I was told that all their stock was acid free. So perhaps the production of acid free paper is now the standard.
Except perhaps for those awful Chinese made stock books.
Login to Like
this post
Thanks for your responses, everybody.
I'm looking at A4 120gsm. I'll probably be printing off Steiner pages, and hinge-mounting mostly low-value used stamps, so I guess the paper issue isn't that important.
If I have any higher value stamps, I'll pop them in a mount, or keep them in a stockbook.
Login to Like
this post
While some plain ( white) paper may not technically be "acid free" in the archival sense - I am sure that generally it is much less acidic then in past times in the same way that many food products which while not to the definition of "organic", are produced to more or less organic principles.
I would be far more careful about coloured papers - as the dyes may contain harmful products - remember U.S./Canadian coloured Christmas card envelopes of the 1960/70s?
Login to Like
this post
Update.
Navigator Colour Documents 120gsm paper from Staples is apparently acid-free. It doesn't say on the packaging (or on the Staples website), but the Navigator brand responded to a Tweet saying that it is acid-free. It was about £6 for 250 sheets.
I've asked Staples about their own brand, and awaiting a reply.
Login to Like
this post
Read the attached article.... 80% of paper manufactured today is acid free, both for longevity and environmental concerns. It seems that paper packs do not mention "acid free" because it's a given today.
http://whattheythink.com/articles/33566-not-acid-free/
Login to Like
this post
Update from Staples re their own brand:
Thank you for your email.
I am sorry that it has taken longer that usual to for us to answer your query.
I can advise that the products Staples A4 120 gsm Laser Paper White 250 sheets (ww-422490) and Staples A4 160 gsm Laser Paper White 250 sheets (ww-422491) are eco friendly products but are not acid free.
Hope this information could be of some assistance.
Login to Like
this post
06:12:09pm
Hi
I'm thinking of printing off album pages instead of using stockbooks, so was wondering if any UK members can advise on what they use and where they get it from.
Lots of paper I've seen doesn't state if it's acid free, so I'm presuming it's not...
As a subsidiary question, if one uses paper that is NOT acid-free, what actually happens?
Thanks
Peter
Login to Like
this post
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
You haven't said the size of paper you wish to use but I just did a simple search for 'acid free paper' and got a hit on Acid Free Archival A4 White Paper 100gsm 100 sheet pack on Amazon for £6.95 plus half that again for postage.
So it is out there. I'm sure Coleman's, WH Smith and Staples probably stock such papers too and I dare say in various sizes.
As for using non acid free paper; I know there are strong opinions for its use. The effects of non-acid free paper however, probably only emerge after many years depending on the storage conditions. Just look at old stamp albums. Some admittedly are found in a poor state, where the stamps themselves have deteriorated, yet many show little sign of damage, even after decades of storage.
I suppose a good argument for using acid free paper, is that you would potentially prolong the life of the collection well after the time your are custodian of the collection.
Of course, if you were to use the likes of Hawid stamp mounts, then the type of paper would not matter that much anyway, as the stamps themselves would not be in contact with the paper.
The use of acid free, archival quality paper is probably a bigger issue for collectors with very high value specimens. More-so in regions of high humidity.
We are somewhat fortunate in the UK with our climate. We are classified as having a temperate oceanic climate, where there are no high extremes of temperature and humidity. Consequently, we do not suffer the sometimes severe deterioration of gum and paper that is experienced in climes of high humidity and high extremes of temperature. Consequently, we don't suffer the likes of foxing (rusting) or oxidation of paper (except newspaper), where such characteristics are accelerated in 'acidic' papers.
In summary, I would suggest that stable storage conditions and ventilation are more important.
As far as mounting stamps with hinges on paper is concerned (which I don't do), I would be more concerned about the hinges themselves being acid free.
Login to Like
this post
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
I was told several years ago by a printer that essentially all paper that was being made at that time was acid-free. I agree with Ningpo that paper quality is probably less important than storage conditions.
Bob
Login to Like
this post
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
"I was told several years ago by a printer that essentially all paper that was being made at that time was acid-free."
An interesting point. In fact, when I was looking for coloured acid free paper in a branch of our Coleman's stationers some time ago, I was told that all their stock was acid free. So perhaps the production of acid free paper is now the standard.
Except perhaps for those awful Chinese made stock books.
Login to Like
this post
11:15:28am
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
Thanks for your responses, everybody.
I'm looking at A4 120gsm. I'll probably be printing off Steiner pages, and hinge-mounting mostly low-value used stamps, so I guess the paper issue isn't that important.
If I have any higher value stamps, I'll pop them in a mount, or keep them in a stockbook.
Login to Like
this post
05:50:15pm
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
While some plain ( white) paper may not technically be "acid free" in the archival sense - I am sure that generally it is much less acidic then in past times in the same way that many food products which while not to the definition of "organic", are produced to more or less organic principles.
I would be far more careful about coloured papers - as the dyes may contain harmful products - remember U.S./Canadian coloured Christmas card envelopes of the 1960/70s?
Login to Like
this post
12:01:51pm
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
Update.
Navigator Colour Documents 120gsm paper from Staples is apparently acid-free. It doesn't say on the packaging (or on the Staples website), but the Navigator brand responded to a Tweet saying that it is acid-free. It was about £6 for 250 sheets.
I've asked Staples about their own brand, and awaiting a reply.
Login to Like
this post
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
Read the attached article.... 80% of paper manufactured today is acid free, both for longevity and environmental concerns. It seems that paper packs do not mention "acid free" because it's a given today.
http://whattheythink.com/articles/33566-not-acid-free/
Login to Like
this post
12:24:17pm
re: Acid-free paper - where/what to buy in the UK
Update from Staples re their own brand:
Thank you for your email.
I am sorry that it has taken longer that usual to for us to answer your query.
I can advise that the products Staples A4 120 gsm Laser Paper White 250 sheets (ww-422490) and Staples A4 160 gsm Laser Paper White 250 sheets (ww-422491) are eco friendly products but are not acid free.
Hope this information could be of some assistance.
Login to Like
this post