To make sure an old or valuable document, record or print withstands the passage of time consider storing it in an archival storage box. Boxes labelled as “archival” are guaranteed to be made of acid-free, lignin-free, durable material to protect their contents from light, dust and other airborne pollutants.
Types of Archival Storage Boxes
Standard paper and cardboard contains acid which in the long run can cause the document to deteriorate. Lignin is a substance that occurs naturally in wood and over time it causes paper to become yellow and brittle. So, before choosing a document storage box make sure that it is acid-free and lignin-free. Some archive boxes are also buffered with calcium as an additional protection from airborne pollutants.
Be it a family archive one wants to preserve, heirloom photos, official records or old newspapers, there is an archival box to fit every situation. Ideally the manuscript, newspaper, file or other valuable record should fit exactly the size of the box. If the box is placed in a vertical position, spacer boards should be used to prevent document from slumping. If a document storage box is placed horizontically, care should be taken that the contents are not crushed by their weight. Consider choosing boxes with metal corners that are fully stackable. For labels or notes always use pencil or archival ink.
Types of archival storage boxes to choose for document preservation include:
- Clamshell Boxes, one piece boxes with a hinged lid design
- Drop Front Storage Boxes, where the front on the long side of the box collapses for easy access.
- Flat Storage Boxes, ideal for manuscripts, magazines, certificates, etc
- Newspaper Storage Boxes, for all those vintage papers which should always be stored flat
- Card File Boxes to store postcards, letters and cards
- Document Cases, strong acid-free document boxes with a hinged lid to protect all these valuable documents and loose papers
- Pamphlet Boxes, especially designed to hold pamphlets and periodicals in an upright position, these boxes feature a hinged lid as well.
- Roll Storage Boxes, ideal for storing items that can be rolled, such as maps and blueprints
- Book Storage Boxes, ideal for encasing a rare or valuable book and they come in a variety of sizes.
- Display Boxes are made from lignin-free, acid-free durable board and feature a clear lid. They are perfect for displaying old newspapers, manuscripts, prints or even objects.
Document Preservation Resources
There are many online resources with useful information on how to preserve documents and on different archiving solutions. The National Archives UK website has a special section on document storage. The Conservation Register gives advise on how to care/preserve different materials or objects. Archive storage boxes may not always be available to buy in local stationery shops but there are several preservation equipment online shops offering a wide choice of archival storage boxes and other relevant preservation materials.
Lito Apostolakou - Lito is a historian with an interest in digital archives and online historical resources. She is the author of blog Palimpsest.
