Help Preserving Various Paper Items (receipts, tickets, cards, etc.)

Hi!

I have always had a habit of keeping old receipts, movie stubs, train tickets, concert tickets, trading cards, and so on. With the exception of trading cards, which I kept in binders and/or sleeves as a kid, I have just put them in a box. I haven't looked at them in a while, but I know ink can fade, the paper can get brittle and deteriorate.

I really wanted to preserve these items as best as possible. It seems like scrapbooks would be perfect since they allow for viewing and don't take up wall space (not that some items I wouldn't like displaying on a wall! But I imagine that UV light would do damage).

What should I look for when it comes to scrapbook materials to save these items? I read that there could be some sort of spray for some items? Any specific type of binder pages or sleeves I should be aware of? Temperature and humidity?

Any information would be great. I'm really interested in creating a few separate scrap books.

For instance, one for all my movie stubs, one for concert tickets, one for all my commute/train tickets, one for trading cards, one for special vacation items (receipts, pamplets, menus, pictures), and so on.

I would love to get help on this. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

I use a product called, "Make it Acid Free" - you spray it lightly on both sides. I've used it for 7 or 8 years and so far its holding up nicely without any problems. I don't know of any other way.

Some people say to laminate it and that doesn't keep things from yellowing. My pocket copy of my high school diploma is laminated and its not even legible anymore - black print faded and the rest is yellow.

Make It Acid Free can be hard to find - I used to get it in my small scrapbook store but now I order several cans at a time on ebay or Amazon.

I use a lot of this memorabilia on my scrapbook pages. Now I'm doing a lot of digital pages but some paper and trimmer.

But I didn't learn digi until last year so prior to that all my memorabilia was adhered in my scrapbooks after being sprayed with Make it Acid Free.

Do you mean this spray? http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-Make-Acid-Free-Spray-6-Ounce/dp/B000S10OGQ

And I guess should trust the product but doesn't a spray introduce moisture and could ruin the items (soften paper, make ink run, etc.) or perhaps is it really safe? I guess it's designed for it... just so unfamiliar with something like that. It's scary!

I have been using that spray for a while and so far, so good. I have used it on postcards, awards, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, etc.

That is the product - I forgot it was Krylon.

Spray lightly, don't get your paper "wet", just spray a little bit like light mist and it has never hurt anything I sprayed.

Thanks!

I was looking further into these deacidifaction sprays and it looks like their are some other brands too.

Has anyone ever heard of Wei'to or Bookkeeper and recommend either of those brands?

Also, with any of these sprays... how would I approach it? Should I lay various items out on a table or perhaps on a poster board or something and then spray over everything at once? Back and front?

There will be detailed instructions on the label but you got it right. You'll want to spray the front and backsides of your items and let them dry completely. Shouldn't take more than 15 or 20 minutes. Yes, spread them out and on a table on some poster board or other material to protect your surface.

I take mine out on the front porch to spray them. Rather not have the fumes in the house.