For centuries, paper used to create everything from books to newspapers retained the acid and lignin that occur naturally in the paper’s wood pulp. As humans would later come to find out, this was not the best way to preserve written words. In fact, it created a huge headache for archivists and scribes throughout history!
Why was this the case? Because over time, exposure to light and heat causes naturally acidic paper to wither, yellow, and eventually crumble into little more than dust. This meant that thousands of years of written history could have been lost forever if acid free paper had not been invented!
However, this still begs a few very important questions. How does acid free paper outperform older forms of paper for printing? What are the inherent benefits of acid free paper? Finally, why is it important to ensure that your acid free paper is also lignin free?
We will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at exactly what it means to buy and use acid free paper.
What Is Acid Free Paper?
The meaning of the term itself is relatively obvious, as acid free paper is simply paper that has had its natural acids removed by industry-standard treatment methods. Acid free paper came about in the mid-20th Century after various studies (as well as plenty of visual evidence) documented the deterioration of acidic paper used in most kinds of paper printing processes. By removing the natural wood-pulp acid from paper, manufacturers could create a much stronger, longer-lasting material. Thus, acid free paper was born.
Typically, acid free paper is made by treating standard (acidic) paper with a mild base of calcium or magnesium bicarbonate. This process neutralizes any acid in the paper and works as a buffer to prevent the future formation or accumulation of new acids. Excess amounts of bicarbonate allow the paper to maintain an alkaline reserve that, in theory, can allow paper to last for more than a century. In order to do so, the paper must have an alkaline reserve of at least 2 percent. However, other factors — like the presence of lignin — can also affect the formation of acid over time (more on that later).
Due to the frailty and meager shelf-life of acidic paper, most modern, commercially manufactured paper is free of acid. This ensures that consumers can purchase acid free paper for printing and know that it will last for a lifetime. However, there are still plenty of manufacturers that sell acidic paper because it is simply faster to produce. Since it does not require the extra step of calcium or magnesium bicarbonate treatment, it reduces the time needed to get the paper directly to market. For this reason, it is vitally important to check if your paper is acid free — especially if you intend to buy in bulk or wish to acquire acid free cardstock (which far outperforms the alternatives).
The Benefits Of Acid Free Paper
As you can see, acid free paper already has the benefit of being stronger against environmental elements, like heat and light. However, the benefits don’t end there. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to choose acid free paper over the alternatives, including the cost, longevity, and impact on the environment.
Low-Maintenance
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Despite requiring extra steps to treat acid free paper, the long-term manufacturing costs are actually lower than most other alternatives. Fortunately, these savings are frequently passed on to the consumer. So, how is acid free paper cheaper to produce? The reasons lie in the lack of corrosive chemicals.
When paper is treated and accumulates an alkaline reserve, it has fewer corrosive chemicals, which means that it causes less damage to production and printing machines. This, in turn, means manufacturers can expect lower maintenance costs and faster production over the long term. So, while skipping base treatment may seem like a pragmatic short-term solution for paper manufacturers, it actually ends up costing them — and consumers — even more. |
Long-Lasting
| As previously mentioned, the primary benefit of acid free paper is its ability to resist the elements and retain its look and feel for long periods of time. This is especially true of acid free paper with high alkaline reserves. Alkaline paper can theoretically last for more than 1,000 years!
It’s also important to note that the long-lasting qualities of acid free paper also make it a great choice for archival needs. Whether you own a business or work at a local library, you’ll likely want to keep physical records on file for extended periods of time. Even if you just want to preserve special family mementos and documents, using acid free paper can ensure that your archives stay in peak condition for centuries to come! |
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Eco-Friendly
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It goes without saying that a paper that lasts longer and contains fewer corrosive chemicals will be better for the environment. Not only does it have fewer harmful chemicals, but it also puts less paper into landfills. Even the byproducts of the acid free paper manufacturing process can be recycled!
The energy required to create acid free paper is often lower than other forms of printing paper as well. As an added bonus, acid free paper with high alkaline contents can be more easily recycled. This means that energy can be saved on during both the production and recycling processes. |
Fresh-Looking
| While most consumers won’t need their cardstock or standard paper to last for 1,000 years, the longevity of non-acidic paper is a huge plus. When paper is made to last, it does not fade easily and is also less likely to deteriorate during your lifetime. So, if you want a sign, card, or important document to look brand new after decades of use, the removal of acids can certainly help.
Fresh-looking documents are also a major benefit for presentations or special events, even if you plan to dispose of your paper materials immediately after. Acid free paper is extremely slow to deteriorate, which means that it will look like brand new whenever you are ready to use it. So, whether you plan to use it tomorrow or 5 years from now, acid free paper is a solid investment that will not lose its luster. |
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Why You Need Acid Free Paper To Be Lignin Free
If you’re looking for disadvantages of acid free paper, you won’t find very many. However, it’s important to note that the vast majority of paper products of this type are both acid and lignin free paper. This is an extremely important distinction. Acid and lignin are both naturally-occurring elements in wood pulp.
However, the removal of acid from paper does not necessitate the removal of lignin. If traces of lignin remain in acid free paper, it can lead to the formation of acid in the paper later on down the road. Subsequently, this can cause the paper to start deteriorating faster than anticipated. In short, if you want to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to cardstock or printing paper, it’s best to go with paper that is both acid free and lignin free.
Ready to start your next project? Check out our acid free paper for printing on Fine Card Stock today, and let us know how you put our card stock to good use!