{"id":9833,"date":"2016-04-01T14:26:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T18:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/65.175.118.96\/?p=9833"},"modified":"2025-09-15T14:22:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T18:22:06","slug":"archival-definitions-acid-free-buffered-unbuffered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/archival-definitions-acid-free-buffered-unbuffered\/","title":{"rendered":"Archival Definitions: Acid-Free, Lignin-Free, and Buffered vs. Unbuffered"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Updated: September 15, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">There are several words that you should know and understand when you are looking for safe, long-term, archival storage and presentation supplies. Acid-free is the most common of these terms. Let&#8217;s take a look at what it means in terms of storage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"487\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Acid-Base-Chart-copy-600x487.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9835 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Acid-Base-Chart-copy-600x487.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Acid-Base-Chart-copy.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/487;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acids and Lignins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The acid and <a href=\"https:\/\/cool.culturalheritage.org\/byorg\/abbey\/ap\/ap04\/ap04-4\/ap04-402.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lignin content<\/a> in paper is the best indicator of its life expectancy. Acid-free means that the paper\u2019s pH is 7.0 (neutral) or higher (alkaline). Acid-free, lignin-free papers can last hundreds of years in ideal storage conditions.<\/span> Lignin is an integral component of plants and it is often present in the wood pulp used to make paper. The yellowing and brittleness of old papers, newsprint, and old books is due to lignin and other residual acids activated by light, humidity, and temperature in a process that often ends up destroying the paper itself. Lignin-free paper is made with less than 1% lignin content. Acid-free doesn\u2019t always mean lignin-free, so any archival-quality product you choose should specify both.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;\">Perhaps the best example of the destructive results of acids and lignins is seen in old newsprint and the paper used for many old books from the late-1800s and early-1900s, much of which is now yellowed and very brittle. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/storing-old-newspapers#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"422\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/WWI-Book-Acid-Page-whole-copy-600x422.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9854 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/WWI-Book-Acid-Page-whole-copy-600x422.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/WWI-Book-Acid-Page-whole-copy.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/422;\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">An example of high acid content in paper can be seen in this page fragment from an old book on World War I, c.1920<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">In addition to separating from the larger page this fragment was originally a part of, when slightly bent this brittle, acid-burned page cracked and fell apart, as its structural integrity had been compromised by the high acid content of the paper. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/storing-old-newspapers#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"436\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/WWI-Book-Acid-Page-bent-copy-600x436.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9853 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/WWI-Book-Acid-Page-bent-copy-600x436.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/WWI-Book-Acid-Page-bent-copy.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/436;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">There is not much that can be done to mitigate this level of acid damage, other than consulting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.culturalheritage.org\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">professional conservator<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/storing-old-newspapers#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"410\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/8-Newspaper-Clippings-copy-2-600x410.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9837 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/8-Newspaper-Clippings-copy-2-600x410.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/8-Newspaper-Clippings-copy-2.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/410;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/flap-envelopes#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"492\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/13-Newspaper-Clipping-in-Envelope-copy-2-600x492.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9838 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/13-Newspaper-Clipping-in-Envelope-copy-2-600x492.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/13-Newspaper-Clipping-in-Envelope-copy-2.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/492;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">What you can do, however, is store your important family documents, collectibles, and artworks in acid-free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">boxes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/window-mat-cutting#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mats<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/file-folders-full-half-third-cut#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">folders<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/enclosures#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">envelopes<\/a>, and interleave them with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-tissue#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">archival tissues<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/board-paper#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">papers<\/a> Check out this blog post for more in-depth info on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/blog\/how-to-store-old-letters-and-documents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Store Old Letters and Documents<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-thin-paper-45-gsm#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"431\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/16-Archival-Paper-2-copy-2-600x431.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9841 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/16-Archival-Paper-2-copy-2-600x431.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/16-Archival-Paper-2-copy-2.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/431;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/file-folders-full-half-third-cut#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"499\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/15-Archival-File-Folders-copy-2-600x499.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9840 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/15-Archival-File-Folders-copy-2-600x499.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/15-Archival-File-Folders-copy-2.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/499;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/board-paper#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"415\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/14-Matting-2-4-8-Ply-Board-copy-2-600x415.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9839 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/14-Matting-2-4-8-Ply-Board-copy-2-600x415.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/14-Matting-2-4-8-Ply-Board-copy-2.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/415;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">All the museum-quality archival <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/board-paper#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mat boards<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">boxes<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/enclosures#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">enclosures<\/a> offered by Archival Methods are manufactured from acid-free materials.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">In order to maintain a safe, long-term archival environment, and to minimize any chance of &#8220;acid-migration&#8221; from your artworks or artifacts, most of our acid-free materials are &#8220;buffered&#8221; with 2-3% calcium carbonate. All of our boxes, binders, portfolios, and mat boards are buffered.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">This calcium carbonate &#8220;buffering&#8221; provides our museum-quality storage and presentation materials with an archivally-safe pH of 9 (\u00b10.5), which will help neutralize any acids that might migrate from your artifacts or artworks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">While buffered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/board-paper#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mat boards<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/boxes#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">boxes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/enclosures#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">envelopes<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/board-paper#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interleaving tissues<\/a> are commonly recommended for most archival storage and presentation ne<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">eds, there are exceptions \u2013 especially for certain fabrics and photographic processes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/preserving-wedding-dress-fabrics#nomobile\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"493\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wedding-Hanging-Dress-Front-Detail-copy-2-600x493.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9850 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wedding-Hanging-Dress-Front-Detail-copy-2-600x493.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wedding-Hanging-Dress-Front-Detail-copy-2.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/493;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">When storing plant-based fabrics or artifacts (such as cotton), either buffered or unbuffered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-tissue#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archival Tissue<\/a> can be used.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">When storing protein-based fabrics or artifacts (such as silk, wool, and leather), one should use unbuffered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/archival-tissue#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archival Tissue<\/a>, as these fabrics should not be stored in direct contact with standard 2-3% calcium carbonate buffering agents.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/category\/textile-storage-kits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"492\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/04-500-C-cloth-desiccant-BLOGarchival-methods-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23527 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/04-500-C-cloth-desiccant-BLOGarchival-methods-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/04-500-C-cloth-desiccant-BLOGarchival-methods-1-600x295.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/04-500-C-cloth-desiccant-BLOGarchival-methods-1-768x378.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/492;\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Textile Storage Kit (#04-500-C) comes in several sizes. While all of our boxes are buffered, this kit comes with unbuffered tissue for wrapping and padding your textiles.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">As mentioned, certain photographic processes \u2013 such as <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cyanotype\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cyanotypes<\/a> (blue prints) &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=Dye-transfer+process&amp;biw=1395&amp;bih=967&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjFw66L8ubLAhUFQyYKHapKDxcQ_AUIBigB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dye-transfer prints<\/a> \u2013 are best stored with unbuffered interleaving. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/glassine-interleaving\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glassine Interleaving<\/a> and Unbuffered Archival Thin Paper are both unbuffered options.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Cyanotypes (see photo below) and dye-transfer prints can also be placed in archival <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/polyethylene-bags#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Polyethylene Bags<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/3-sided-sleeves\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3-Sided Sleeves<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/product\/side-loading-print-sleeves\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Side Loading Print Sleeves<\/a> before they are stored in buffered acid-free enclosures and boxes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"418\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cyanotype-Postcard-copy-600x418.jpg\" alt=\"acid free\" class=\"wp-image-9843 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/418;width:600px;height:auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cyanotype-Postcard-copy-600x418.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cyanotype-Postcard-copy.jpg 760w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">Now you&#8217;ll know just what it means when you see these terms in the descriptions of any of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archival Methods&#8217;<\/a> thoroughly tested, museum-quality, guaranteed products.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;\">You can rest assured that your important artwork, photographs, collectibles, papers, fabrics and artifacts from the family archive are safely protected for generations to come in their archival, acid-free, lignin-free enclosures, boxes and mats.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Contact Us<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any questions about archival storage, please <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archivalmethods.com\/?ip=contactus%2Ecfm#nomobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact us<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">here at Archival Methods. We\u2019re always happy to help.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated: September 15, 2025 There are several words that you should know and understand when you are looking for safe, long-term, archival storage and presentation&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9941,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[317,35,320,316,318,319,376],"tags":[58,67,52,63,44,161,163,43,80,54,93,60,66,85,65,72,53,68,162,164],"series":[],"class_list":["post-9833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-history-genealogy","category-feature-articles","category-archival-matting-framing","category-archival-presentation-storage","category-preserving-collections","category-archival-products-in-action","category-storage","tag-acid-free","tag-acid-free-storage","tag-archival-basics","tag-archival-care","tag-archival-storage","tag-buffered-paper","tag-buffered-tissue","tag-family-archives","tag-family-heirlooms","tag-genealogy","tag-photograph-storage","tag-presentation","tag-preserving-drawings","tag-preserving-newspapers","tag-preserving-old-books","tag-preserving-old-letters","tag-preserving-photographs","tag-storing-fabrics","tag-un-buffered-paper","tag-un-buffered-tissue"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Archival Definitions: Acid Free | Buffered | Un-Buffered<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The phrase &quot;acid free&quot; gets tossed around a lot, but just WHAT does it mean? Learn about it &amp; the concepts of &quot;buffered&quot; &amp; &quot;un-buffered&quot; archival products.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/archival-definitions-acid-free-buffered-unbuffered\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Archival Definitions: Acid Free | Buffered | Un-Buffered\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The phrase &quot;acid free&quot; gets tossed around a lot, but just WHAT does it mean? 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