Safe Use of Embellishments in Scrapbooking

We have come a long way in Scrapbooking and have endless choices to decorate our pages. This guide will help make informed choices on what goes into your scrapbook.

What is truly photo safe? Some embellishments contain materials that will discolor, gases that will age your photos. Acid, oils, metal, and dyes can also be harmful.

Fabrics (including canvas, crochet threads, floss for embroidery, string, threads, twine, etc.): Most fabrics contain no acid. Test the fabric in water for bleeds or running. Some fabrics can contain smelly solvents that could produce gases or contain plant matter (wood, bark, grass, flowers) that can stain due to lignin content.

Wood: Wood is naturally acidic and contains lignin. Wood products, including cork, should be sealed with acid and lead free paint or encased in plastic coating or lamination.

Foliage: Plants contain lignin which will brown your pages and photos.

Paint: Use only lead free paint. Dry paint is not a problem unless it is too thick. It will have a tendency to dry thick, crack and break off. What a mess! Even water soluble paint could run or bleed if it gets wet.

Metals: Avoid copper, zinc, iron, tin and brass due to tendency to tarnish and rust which will ruin your photos. Aluminum and gold do not react with paper and photos. Pewter is only a problem when it rubs against photos or paper which causes pewter to rub off. Most metal embellishments have baked-on enamel coating (lead free) but there is risk of scratching your photos.

Beads: Wood beads should be avoided (see Wood above). Glass, plastic or metal should cause no problems for you.

Chalk: The dust from chalk can rub or fall off. Even if chalk is acid free, use a page protector.

Buttons: Again, avoid buttons make from wood. Plastic, metal or shell buttons should be okay for your scrapbook.

Foam: Most are made from safe plastic. Watch for strong odor which is a strong sign of presence of gas.

Ribbon: Generally safe but cheap ribbon may have dyes that will bleed or run, causing stains on your page.

Hair: Human hair is not a problem. Animal hair (or even wild bird feathers) contains critters you do not want in your scrapbook. Animal hair or feathers should be washed and cleaned before use.

Rocks/Dirt/Sand: Make sure there are no loose grains to scratch photos. Use strong adhesive. Dirt contains same type of critters as animal hair and bird feathers.

Crayons: We love our children’s art but there are hazards to consider. The wax in crayons can bleed. Heat changes can cause melting and a mess on your scrapbook page.