Before reaching for enclosures and boxes, a little preparation goes a long way.
If a document has been folded for a long time, leave it that way, unfolding aged paper can cause cracking and tearing that does more harm than good.

Check for old metal staples or rusty clips and remove them before they stain the surrounding paper;
Brass or Plastic Paper Clips are safe alternatives if you need to keep pages together.

If you spot tears or damage, resist the urge to mend with ordinary tape, in most cases, the right archival enclosure will support a fragile item without any repair being needed.
If a repair is genuinely necessary, consult a professional conservator first.

Choosing the Right Enclosure

Buffered Envelopes, Folders and Wallets

The best enclosure for your documents depends on how often you need to access them.

For items you'll store and seldom handle, Buffered Envelopes and Folders or Wallets are an excellent choice.
They're made from acid-free, buffered paper that actively neutralises acids as they develop, providing a protective environment for documents in long-term storage.

Polyester and Polypropylene Pages and Enclosures

For items you'll view and handle more regularly, Polyester or Polypropylene Enclosures and Pages are a better fit.
These clear, archival-safe plastics let you read and view a document without removing it from its enclosure, reducing the handling that causes wear over time.

Seperating your lettters and documents

This is the single most important principle when storing paper items: keep them apart. When documents sit in direct contact with each other, acids migrate between sheets, inks transfer, and surfaces stick together over time.
Housing each item in its own individual enclosure prevents all of this and is the foundation of good document storage.

For fragile or flimsy items, adding a Buffered Backing Card inside the enclosure provides extra rigidity and support. These are also great for seperating items you wish to back to back store in a page or enclosure. 

Boxing and Long-Term Storage

Once your documents are housed in their chosen enclosures, the final step is bringing everything together in an archival box or binder. Our Archival Document and File Boxes are a practical and durable option for collections of documents and enclosures, while an Archival Presentation Album or Binder  works well if you're using enclosure pages and want to browse your collection more easily. Store everything in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Avoid basements and attics where temperature and humidity can fluctuate significantly. A stable, moderate environment is the best thing you can give your documents after the right enclosures themselves.

Have Any Questions?

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