Things You Should NEVER Put in a Scrapbook – Scrapbooking is supposed to be all about preserving your favourite memories, but did you know that some of the things you put in your scrapbook could actually damage those precious photographs and memories over time?
It is so easy to assume that anything sold as a craft or scrapbooking product must be safe to use. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
If you are creating a scrapbook that you hope will last for years — perhaps one filled with family photographs, children’s artwork, holiday memories or precious keepsakes — it is worth thinking about what you are putting alongside those memories.
So before you reach for the glue, tape or handful of pretty embellishments, here are 25 things you should never put in a scrapbook if you want your pages and photographs to last.
Things You Should NEVER Put in a Scrapbook
1. Magnetic Photo Album Pages
Those old-fashioned sticky or “magnetic” albums might seem wonderfully convenient, but they are one of the biggest things to avoid when preserving photographs.
The adhesive can deteriorate, become sticky or damage photographs, while the plastic overlay can also cause problems.
2. PVC Plastic
Be careful with plastic pockets and page protectors made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
PVC can deteriorate over time and release chemicals that can damage photographs and paper. Look for safer plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester instead.
3. Sellotape
It might be perfect for wrapping presents, but ordinary sticky tape has no place touching your precious photographs.
Adhesive tapes can yellow, stain, become brittle or leave adhesive behind as they age.
4. Masking Tape
That pretty vintage scrapbook look might tempt you to use masking tape, but it isn’t a good choice for preserving important originals.
If you love the look, use a scan or copy of your memorabilia instead.
5. Rubber Cement
Rubber cement may be useful for some craft projects, but it isn’t something you want anywhere near treasured photographs.
Choose a product specifically designed for archival scrapbooking instead.
6. Ordinary School Glue
That bottle of white school glue might be sitting in your craft cupboard, but don’t automatically assume it is suitable for photographs.
For important memories, choose an adhesive that is specifically identified as acid-free and suitable for photographs.
7. Hot Glue
Hot glue is brilliant for some craft projects, but it can create bulky, inflexible blobs that aren’t ideal for delicate scrapbook materials.
It can also make removing an item later extremely difficult.
8. Unknown Adhesives
If you don’t know what is in the glue, tape or adhesive you’re using, don’t put it directly onto an irreplaceable photograph.
When preservation matters, use materials with clearly stated conservation properties. The National Archives specifically recommends avoiding unknown glues.
9. Acidic Paper
This is a big one.
Acidic paper can yellow and become brittle as it ages, and acids can migrate into photographs and other materials.
Look for acid-free paper when creating a scrapbook intended to last.
10. Lignin-Rich Paper
Lignin is naturally present in wood and can contribute to paper becoming acidic and deteriorating.
For an archival-style scrapbook, choose paper that is labelled lignin-free as well as acid-free.
11. Newspaper Clippings Without Protection
Old newspaper is wonderfully nostalgic, which makes it tempting to stick directly into a scrapbook.
However, newspapers are generally not designed for long-term preservation. If the clipping is important, consider scanning it and using a good-quality copy instead.
12. Sticky Notes on Photographs
Post-it notes might seem harmless, but adhesive can transfer onto photographs and paper.
If you need a temporary reminder while creating your scrapbook, keep it away from the actual photograph or page.
13. Staples
Staples might seem like a quick way to attach memorabilia, but metal can corrode and cause staining.
They can also scratch or damage photographs and paper.
14. Paper Clips
Ordinary metal paper clips are another thing I’d avoid putting directly against precious memories.
Metal can rust or react with paper, potentially causing staining and weakening the material.
15. Rubber Bands
Rubber bands might be useful for keeping your scrapbook supplies together, but don’t use them to hold photographs or memorabilia inside your album.
As rubber deteriorates, it can stick to and stain paper and photographs.
16. Food
This one sounds obvious, but if you are making a scrapbook at the kitchen table, it’s surprisingly easy for crumbs, grease or food stains to become part of your masterpiece!
The Library of Congress specifically recommends keeping food and drink away from scrapbooks and albums.
17. Wet or Fresh Flowers
Pressed flowers can be gorgeous, but fresh flowers should never simply be tucked into a scrapbook.
Moisture can encourage mould and deterioration.
If you want flowers in your scrapbook, make sure they have been properly dried and consider whether they could shed material onto photographs.
18. Fresh Leaves
Autumn leaves look beautiful, but a freshly picked leaf contains moisture and organic material that can cause problems inside a closed book.
Dry and press natural materials properly before adding them — and consider using photographs or scanned copies if the scrapbook is particularly precious.
19. Anything Still Damp
This applies to more than flowers and leaves.
Never close your scrapbook around anything that is damp. Moisture trapped between pages is a recipe for mould, staining and damage.
20. Glitter Everywhere
Glitter is not necessarily going to destroy your scrapbook, but it can be an absolute nightmare!
It migrates everywhere, sticks to photographs and can end up inside pockets and page protectors.
If you love sparkle, use it thoughtfully rather than covering an entire page.
21. Extremely Heavy Embellishments
Your scrapbook doesn’t need to carry the weight of the entire craft cupboard.
Large embellishments can put strain on pages, bindings and covers. The Library of Congress recommends keeping the overall size and weight of a scrapbook modest.
22. Too Many Layers of Stuff
More isn’t always better.
If every page is covered with thick embellishments, photographs, envelopes and memorabilia, your scrapbook can become difficult to close and put unnecessary stress on the binding.
The National Archives specifically warns against overstuffing albums.
23. Anything You Can’t Remove Without Destroying It
This is one of my favourite rules.
Before permanently attaching something precious, ask yourself:
“What if I want to take this out in ten years?”
If removing it would destroy the item, consider using photo corners, pockets or another less permanent method instead.
24. Your Only Copy of Something Irreplaceable
If something is genuinely irreplaceable, think twice before cutting, gluing or altering the original.
Photograph or scan it first and use a high-quality copy in your scrapbook.
That way, if you make a mistake — or the scrapbook itself is damaged — you still have the original.
25. Anything You Really, Really Can’t Afford to Lose
And finally, this is perhaps the most important rule of all.
Before putting a precious photograph, letter, ticket or piece of family history into your scrapbook, think about whether the scrapbook is actually the safest place for it.
Sometimes the best option is to preserve the original separately in appropriate archival storage and put a beautiful copy into your scrapbook.
So, What SHOULD You Put in a Scrapbook?
Don’t let all of these “don’ts” put you off scrapbooking!
There are loads of wonderful things you can safely use.
Look for acid-free and lignin-free papers, photograph-safe products and stable plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester. For precious photographs, non-adhesive options such as suitable photo corners can be a great choice.
And remember that a scrapbook doesn’t have to be perfectly preserved to be beautiful.
For an everyday creative scrapbook that is simply about having fun, you can experiment with all sorts of papers, stickers and embellishments.
But if your scrapbook contains irreplaceable family photographs, letters or historical memorabilia, it is worth taking a little extra care.
After all, the whole point of scrapbooking is to preserve your memories — so let’s make sure we aren’t accidentally destroying them in the process!
Frequently Asked Questions – Things You Should NEVER Put in a Scrapbook
What should you not put in a scrapbook?
Avoid acidic or lignin-rich materials, PVC plastics, magnetic album pages, unsuitable adhesives, ordinary sticky tape, rubber bands and metal fasteners when preserving valuable photographs and memorabilia.
Is Sellotape safe for scrapbooking?
Ordinary Sellotape and other pressure-sensitive tapes are not recommended for long-term preservation because adhesives can deteriorate, stain materials and become difficult to remove.
Can I put newspaper in a scrapbook?
You can include newspaper for decorative purposes, but if the clipping is important, consider making a high-quality copy because newspaper is not generally designed for long-term preservation.
Is PVC safe for scrapbooks?
PVC is best avoided for long-term preservation. Choose stable plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester for photograph and memorabilia storage.
Should I glue photographs into a scrapbook?
For valuable photographs, non-adhesive methods such as suitable photo corners or pockets can be preferable because they make the photograph easier to remove and avoid putting adhesive directly onto it.
What does acid-free mean in scrapbooking?
Acid-free materials are made to have a neutral or alkaline pH rather than being acidic. For long-term preservation, it can also be useful to look for lignin-free materials.
Can you put real flowers in a scrapbook?
Only use flowers that have been properly dried and consider whether they could shed material or create bulk. Fresh or damp flowers should not be placed inside a closed scrapbook.
How do you preserve old photographs in a scrapbook?
Use acid-free and lignin-free pages and suitable photograph-safe storage materials. Avoid PVC, magnetic albums and unsuitable adhesives, and consider using copies of particularly precious originals.
Further reading
also take a look a tthings you should never put in a journal
