Permanent paper is specifically crafted to withstand long-term exposure without yellowing or becoming fragile over time, making it the ideal material to archive documents such as birth certificates or legal reports for decades.
Permanent paper made of cotton or linen fibers makes it more durable than standard wood pulp paper, while its acid-free composition helps prevent yellowing with age.
The permanent paper must adhere to several standards to remain used over time, such as having a pH level between 7.5 and 9.0; this indicates neutral or slightly alkaline paper, helping prevent its dissolution or crumbling into pieces over time.
Paper must also be free from lignin and buffered, meaning it has been treated to protect itself against pH level changes.
Permanent paper is made from wood pulp that has been treated to resist degradation and may include extra protective materials like calcium carbonate coatings for further safeguarding.
Due to advancements in synthetic materials such as polyester, permanent paper has become less of an ideal material for essential documents that require long-term storage. Still, its essentiality in document preservation for posterity must be considered.
Permanent paper is essential in the printing and book industry as it ensures books and printed materials will last a long time. With chemicals designed to resist light degradation from light exposure, heat exposure, moisture exposure, yellowing or crumbling over time – permanent paper prevents this – and it makes an invaluable addition for family heirlooms as well as long-term storage on shelves or bookcases; prints or documents needing protection would benefit significantly from being preserved on permanent paper.