The area of preserving paper magazines and other paper periodicals consists on the one hand of protective measures to avoid condition degradation, and on the other hand of restorative measures to stop or reverse condition degradation. Below we mainly discuss protective actions and briefly suggest why and how to proceed if restoration is desired.

1. Protective measures
Before we addressing how to protect magazines or newspapers against condition degradation, with each 'condition threat' we first identify below the possible condition threatening factors, which result in degradation of paper periodicals, so magazines and newspapers, and then we describe how to protect these periodicals to prevent the damage.

Condition Threats

1.1 Paper acidity

Typical damage: Discoloration of paper, usually brown or yellow distributed evenly or unevenly throughout the paper, is a sign of deterioration that is generally caused by acidity in combination with light. The discoloration often appears worse in the margins. The worst cases result in brittleness.

Protective measures: Stored paper periodicals in acid-free alkaline folders, polyester or alkaline, so acid-free, sleeves. Alkaline paper or backing board will also provide a neutralizing effect on acidity. The stiffness of the storage folder or box will provide adequate support to the paper periodical in storage and during transport. Polyester has the advantage of being clear and can also provide support, but is not alkaline, so not preferred. Acidity migrates, so acidic storage materials should be avoided, and highly acidic materials, such as newspaper clippings or telegrams should be removed to avoid acid migration. Human hands also contain a lot of acids, so direct contact with paper periodicals is to be prevented. Finally, it is possible that the quality of the paper used by the printer is so bad, that no protection against deterioration is possible.

1.2 Relative humidity of air

Typical damage: High relative humidity speeds up chemical reactions deteriorating the paper periodical’s condition. Mold and mildew as well as a more comfortable climate for insects are promoted by high humidity. High humidity can also cause foxing (brown, usually small, spots in paper) or mold growth. Additionally low relative humidity stimulates dryness and brittleness of paper, so it breaks up and crumbles when being handled. The reason for the impact of humidity on paper is that it is a hygroscopic material with capillary qualities. This means that it will absorb or emit moisture depending on the temperature and humidity.

Protective measures: Control the temperature and relative humidity of the location of your paper periodical. Store your paper periodical in dark, cool, relatively dry locations. Best relative humidity is 35%, combined with best temperature. Maintain a steady relative humidity instead of cycling up and down. Avoid using attics, bathrooms or basements. Vigilance is necessary to ensure maintenance of acceptable environmental conditions.

1.3 Temperature

Typical damage: The paper can turn damp (with high humidity and low temperatures) which will produce mold and mildew or brittleness of paper, so it breaks up and crumbles when being handled.

Protective measures: The best storage temperature is 72° F (22° C), combined with best relative humidity. Maintain a steady temperature instead of cycling up and down. Keep paper periodicals away from heating systems. Avoid using attics, bathrooms or basements. Very valuable periodicals should be store in a fire-proof vault to be safe in case of fires.

1.4 Light

Typical damage: Light speeds up the oxidation of paper, so its chemical breakdown. Light causes paper to whiten or darken and dyes, pigments, and other colorants to fade. The intensity and length of exposure to visible light on paper items should be reduced as much as possible. Ultraviolet (UV, emitted by the sun and fluorescent bulbs) and visible light are the two damaging factors here. Visible light falling onto the spine or cover causes the ink to fade and/or yellow.

Protective measures: Store paper periodicals in folders or fully enclosed cabinets. Place paper periodicals away from direct sunlight or long term lighting. Protection against UV light is achieved by using a filtering glazing in frames, or curtains or filters over windows and light bulbs.

1.5 Insects

Typical damage: Tiny pinholes in the paper.

Protective measures: Monitor for evidence of insects, such as silverfish, cockroaches, beetles, book lice and book worms, which will eat, soil and damage paper as they are attracted to cellulose and other organic substances. Keep the storage environment clean and control temperature and relative humidity to prevent creating ideal living circumstances for insects. Infested periodicals can be microwaved to kill the insects, provided the periodicals do not contain any paper coating. Otherwise fumigation is an option (Example: Treatment with Polybor(R) disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is very effective against book lice and other insects).

1.6 Rodents

Typical damage: Rodents, like rats, mice, and squirrels, will nibble away at on items (so there will be material loss at the edges), or they will eat paper periodicals entirely. They also like to use paper chips as a nesting material. Additionally the rodents’ droppings are corrosive and will stain paper permanently.

Protective measures: Use traps to catch the rodents and close off all openings in storage spaces to the outside.

1.7 Water

Typical damage: All paper components may show stains starting at the edges (paper has a hygroscopic capillary structure which makes its cells transport water automatically once it gets in touch with it), color bleeding, especially with reddish colors, wrinkled paper structure or mold and mildew spotting.

Protective measures: Should a paper periodical get wet and/or moldy, isolate it from other paper items and dry it with warm circulating air, like a fan or hair dryer (but beware for overheating). Note that when coated paper becomes wet, it absorbs up to 80 % more water than uncoated paper. The starch and casein in the coating dissolves to a soft, adhesive consistency, and, while the paper dries, the whole bonds with adjacent pages into a mass, called ‘blocking’. To avoid the ‘blocking’, take action while the pages are still wet. Interleave pages with paper towels (or acid-free blotting paper), which need to be separated from the pages with a spun polyester sheeting material such as Hollytex. Replace wet towels with dry ones until the pages are all dry. This procedure needs to be performed at latest within a couple of hours of the initial wetness.

1.8 Adhesives

Typical damage: When they break down over time, they lose their tackiness, they may also cause permanent stains and start harmful chemical reactions that speed up the deterioration of the paper. Adhesives will cause irreversible damage, brittleness of paper and changes to printer inks.

Protective measures: Avoid using pressure-sensitive tape (even ‘archival tape’), nor labels or stickers. If you must use an adhesive on a valuable issue in order to prevent further damage, use a high-quality polyvinyl acetate adhesive (PVA) or a wheat-starch or methyl cellulose paste. Note that these adhesives are water-based and, if misapplied, can wrinkle pages or cause them to stick together. It is best to have an expert, a paper conservator, handle these adhesives.

1.9 Readers

Typical damage: Frequent usage results in damage by users, like tears, smudging, cut outs, folds, spine rolling, staining, creasing etc.

Protective measures: Store paper periodicals flat, rather than folding and unfolding, which can lead to creases and tears. Human hands also contain a lot of acids, so direct contact with paper periodicals is to be prevented. Oils from fingers can also cause staining on the paper. Avoid using food, drinks or ink in the surroundings of a magazine or newspaper, so there is no chance of damage by spilling them.
 
2. Restorative measures
Restoration is usually an expensive service. One should consider if extending the lifespan of an antique magazine or newspaper is worth the cost of the restoration work. Motives to have this work done usually relate to the financial and personal value that a periodical represents. The more valuable, the more attractive restoration will be.

For information on restoring existing damage to paper periodicals, we can refer you to a list of specialized paper restoration experts. Contact us for this list through our store page:

LEEFLANG MAGAZINES STORE

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Disclaimer: All statements in this guide are general guidelines only. We do not assume responsibility nor liability for readers using this guide to perform protective or restorative activities. Our guidelines do not imply that they may fully address the reader's specific situation. It is up to the reader to judge the validity and applicability of our statments and only he is responsible for the use ofthe content in this guide.