I have saved a number of newspaper articles that have been printed
concerning my business.  I noticed that some of them are beginning to
change color and was hoping to have them framed soon to preserve them.
 Eventually, I would like to hang them on the walls of the corporate
office.  What method should I use to preserve newsprint and have it
look good in a frame?

Hello n2film~

Congratulations on your "write-ups!" It's always exciting to be
recognized in your field.  :)

Unfortunately, newspapers aren?t meant to last; the paper they are
printed on is literally already deteriorating when they come off the
presses.

There, are, however, several things you can do to preserve newspapers.



NEUTRALIZING ACIDS

There?s a product called ?Archival Mist? that neutralizes the acid in
newspaper. (Acid is what causes paper to yellow, become brittle, and
fall apart.) Professionals have been using similar products for some
years. Local craft stores should carry this item, but you can also
find it online; for example:

Herrchners: http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?pcd=8394629&ccsyn=1
for $15.99 plus shipping

Or, Craft Catalog:  http://www.craftcatalog.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=3986&step=4
for $14.99 plus shipping


Slightly less expensive (and possibly easier to find) is Krylon?s
?Make It Acid Free.? This product is very similar to ?Archival Mist,?
but, as of yet, doesn?t have the endorsement of very many archivist.
It should be available in most craft stores (in addition to places
like Wal-Mart), but you can buy it online, too; for example:

Scrapbooking Warehouse:
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-7331083477943/255015.html for $7.89 plus
shipping

Or, Green Light Office:
http://www.greenlightoffice.com/product/displayproduct.aspx?sku=BEM57187&source=fr
for $8.75 plus shipping





COPIES

Take the newspaper clippings to a print shop and have them copied.
(This is better than scanning the clippings and printing them on a
computer printer, since the inks in printers aren?t archival quality
and will eventually fade.)

Because framed newspapers are exposed to light, they deteriorate even
more quickly. Therefore, it?s usually best to frame photocopies.

Even if you want to frame the original newspaper clippings, it?s an
excellent idea to have copies made of them now, so that when the
originals do become fragile and yellow, you?ll still have a good copy.

For optimum results, have the copies made on acid-free, buffered
paper. The ink should not smear when you run a finger over it.





UV RESISTANT GLASS

When you do frame either the original newspaper or a copy of it, be
sure that the frame?s glass is UV resistant. This will help prevent
fading and deterioration. Even so, it?s a good idea not to place the
framed piece where it will receive direct sunlight.

UV resistant glass can be purchased at craft, framing, and glass stores.





MATTING

Be sure to frame the clipping or copy  with an acid-free mat. The mat
will ensure that the paper can ?breathe? (which will help prolong it?s
life), and the acid-free materials it?s made from will help prevent
yellowing and deterioration. Acid-free mats are widely available
almost anywhere mats are sold.





MOUNTING

When mounting the clippings, don?t tape the paper in place. The glues
will cause quick deterioration and discoloring. Instead, use archival
quality photo mounting corners. The latter are available at craft and
art supply stores, and almost anywhere photo albums are sold.





PRESERVATION

To preserve the original clippingS, be sure to store them in an
acid-free folder. Each clipping should be in its own folder.  Such
folders are available at art supply stores, or at companies that
specialize in acid free products; for example:

The Container Store sells an archival-quality (acid-free) file box,
with multiple folders, for $13.99 plus shipping: 
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=61268&CATID=71231

Archival Methods sells individual folders at a variety of prices:
http://www.archivalmethods.com/Product.cfm?categoryid=2&Productid=73

It?s important to then keep such folders in a place where moisture
won?t be common. (The attic and basement are definite no-nos.)
Moisture is a great destroyer of paper.




This is the cheapest, most effective way to preserve and frame your
newspaper clipping.

Good luck!

Kriswrite


RESEARCH STRATEGY:

Researcher?s personal knowledge of archival procedures

Google Search for ?how to" archival newspaper
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22how+to%22+archival+newspaper&btnG=Google+Search


Froogle search  for ?Archival Mist?
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=%22archival+Mist%22&btnG=Search+Froogle

Froogle search for ?Make It Acid Free"
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=%22Make+It+Acid+Free%22&btnG=Search+Froogle

Froogle search for "acid free" folders
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=%22acid+free%22+folders&btnG=Search+Froogle

---

Request for Answer Clarification by n2film-ga on 21 Jan 2004 12:33 PST

Is there a process that exists where you can actually "lacquer" or
seal the newsprint in some type of acrylic finish?

---

Clarification of Answer by kriswrite-ga on 21 Jan 2004 13:16 PST

Hi n2film~

For the application you're discussing (framing), the answer is not
really, unless you lacquered the clipping onto a board, much like
you'd do with decoupage. (This would involve cutting a piece of wood
or cardboard the size of your clipping, then using a special glue like
Hodge Podge--available at craft stores--to glue the clipping onto the
board. Once this dries, you'd continue to apply more coats of the glue
on top of the clipping, allowing them to dry in between, and sanding
between coats until you have a smooth, lacquered finish.)

However, this definitely would not preserve the paper, and would tend
to make it yellow even more.

The only way to prevent newspaper from yellowing is to use a product
like "Archival Mist" or "Make It Acid Free."

Regards,
Kriswrite