I always find folks laughing when the companies toot about guarantees for 100 years! Whenever my friend, my upline when I was a CM consultant, tells about the long guarantee, there is always someone in the crowd that comments how none of us will be around 100 years from now to know it the researchers were right. That is so true. I guess we just have to trust the researchers. That is why I stick with the reputable companies like CM, Mrs. Grossman, the big names. They have a lot invested in having a good product. Sometimes I see an odd brand sticker but I pass cause I just don't know if it is any good.

Dear Anne, There are some items that are highly acidic, that I do not reccomend using in scrapbook albums. 1. Newspaper or Magazines, most of these have a LARGE acid content and even with a buffer (acid free paper in between them and the photos) these items put off so much acid that they can in a short time yellow or age everything on that page. Color copy these items and then place the copy in your scrapbook. Kids construction paper, this again is a definite no-no. However the birthday cards and ribbon should be tested with an acid free testing pen. (Price about $2.00) While I have found most ribbon to be acid free, I do not know enough about some types to give this a definite go ahead, the birthday cards are a mixed bag, I have found some really cheap cards that I thought for sure would test positive for acid and they did not, and on the other hand found some really expensive cards that you would have thought would be acid free and they tested positive, so the safest way is to go ahead and test them. If you really would like to add an item that tests positive for acid, then add it to a page that just has journaling on it (in both sides of your page protector), that way you can keep it away from your photos. As for the gel pens, I love them, for a better description of ink go back to an earlier forum question: Am I missing something, I believe that is where you will find the ink discussed, and a link that better explains ink use in scrapbooks. Hope this helps. Penny

Dear Anne, Check out the glossary and the FAQ link that I am providing here, they have been very helpful to me. Penny P.S. You will have to go to the Glossary link from the FAQ link since I am unable to add both links to this page. Here is a link that might be useful: Gracefulbee FAQ

Not really except to perhaps a musemum. For something to be REALLY ARCHIVALLY SAFE it should not EVEN be touched by human hands, as the human body is acidic, and the oils from it also, and that is why musemum employees use white (no dye) cotton gloves, and the product or album can have NO GLUE whatsoever, NONE! That is basically the difference. Love Penny