ACID FREE
Many papers can be considered acid free immediately after manufacture however unless they have been buffered, i.e. treated with a neutralizing agent, chemical reactions with substances such as sizing or bleaching will cause the paper to become acidic over time. All plastic by it's nature is acid free however some plastic is unsafe for use in photo albums.
CROP
A crop is an event where scrap bookers meet to work on their scrapbooks, share tools and techniques.
DIE-CUT
A shape or letter cut from paper by machine using a die pattern.
EYELET
Eyelets are small metal circles through which the laces are threaded on a pair of shoes. They are used in a scrapbook context as decoration and as a means to "rivet" components onto a page-mainly card stock.
MYLAR
A reasonably hard wearing protective polyester covering that can be used to cover album pages or for memorabilia sleeves.
LIGNIN-FREE
A product that contains no lignin. Lignin is either removed during processing to make paper safe or the paper is manufactured from a base material that is already lignin free such as cotton.
PAPER PIECING
The use of cut out shapes to produce a picture. Similar to appliqué, pieced paper pictures can range from very simple to complex, and can be a page decoration or constitute an entire layout.
PHOTO SAFE
A marketing term used for products sold for use with photos and memorabilia. Photo safe is an ambiguous term and one that is not regulated, and while it is probably preferable to select products clearly marked acid free, lignin free and PVC free, the term has gained wider acceptance in the last few years and if the product is from a reputable manufacturer it is likely truly photo safe.
PUNCH
A tool used to "punch" decorative shapes from paper or card stock.
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE
PVC is a common plastic which because it is chemically unstable releases a chlorine gas. When this gas settles onto a surface it turns into hydrochloric acid. This acid will cause photographs to fade and discolor.
VELLUM
Once made from animal gut, vellum is now manufactured from wood fiber which is, to put simply, beaten until clear, or plastic. It has a wonderful translucent quality and is slow to absorb ink. Vellum is available in both acidic and non acidic forms.