---
title: How to Choose the Right Plastic for Your Project
description: Learn how to choose the right plastic for your archival projects. Discover the best options for preserving your photos and documents, and say no to dangerous PVC.
image: https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/Blog_AK/Know%20Your%20Archival%20Plastics/KnowYourArchivalPlastics2.png
---
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# How to Choose the Right Plastic for Your Project
When it comes to plastic, you have options. There are three archival-quality plastics to look for when purchasing an enclosure or sleeve for your photographs and documents.
## Terminology
The term "acid-free" isn't used in relation to plastics. You want to keep an eye out for plastics described as "inert" or "stable"—these are the types of plastics that can be used in preservation.
### What is a "mil"?
A mil is one-thousandth of an inch and refers to the thickness of the plastic. For example, something that is 4 mil is .004" thick.
### What mil should I use?
The higher the mil, the stronger the plastic. Documents or photographs that require additional support due to being oversized and/or fragile should be stored in higher-mil plastic.
## Which plastic is best for my needs?
### Archival Polyester (PET) \[$$$\]
- Known by brand names Melinex® and Mylar®
- Chemically inert
- High tensile strength
- Chemical and dimensional stability
- Extremely clear
- Will not yellow or become cloudy
- Inherent static electricity helps keep items from shifting inside enclosures
- Should not be used with charcoal, pastels or other loose media
- # [ Gaylord Archival® Archival Polyester Photo Envelope Variety Pack](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Photo%2C-Print-%26-Art-Preservation/Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/Gaylord-Archival%26%23174%3B-3-mil-Archival-Polyester-Photo-Envelope-Variety-Pack-%2840-Pack%29/p/ESPN-VP40)
- # [ Gaylord Archival® Archival Polyester L-Sleeves](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/Gaylord-Archival%26%23174%3B-3-mil-Archival-Polyester-L-Sleeves-%2810-Pack%29/p/HYB01274)
- # [ Gaylord Archival® Archival Polyester Page Protectors](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/Gaylord-Archival%26%23174%3B-3-mil-Archival-Polyester-Page-Protectors-%2825-Pack%29/p/1212PP)
- # [ Gaylord Archival® Archival Polyester Newspaper Sleeves](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/Gaylord-Archival%26%23174%3B-3-mil-Archival-Polyester-Newspaper-Sleeves-%285-Pack%29/p/HYB01290)
### Polypropylene \[$$\]
- Chemically inert
- Heat-resistant
- Protection against moisture and vapors
- Slightly less clear than archival polyester, but clearer and more rigid than polyethylene
- # [ 6 mil Polypropylene Presentation Pocket Variety Pack](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Photo%2C-Print-%26-Art-Preservation/Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/6-mil-Polypropylene-Presentation-Pocket-Variety-Pack-%2840-Pack%29/p/067-VP40)
- # [ Print File® Polypropylene Album Pages](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Photo%2C-Print-%26-Art-Preservation/Albums-%26-Scrapbooks/Pages%2C-Sleeves-%26-Supplies/Print-File%26%23174%3B-8-mil-Polypropylene-Album-Pages-for-5-x-7%22-Prints-%2825-Pack%29/p/PP5725-4)
- # [ Polypropylene Trading Card Envelopes](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/2-mil-Polypropylene-Trading-Card-Envelopes-%28100-Pack%29/p/51023)
- # [ Print File® Polypropylene 35mm Slide Pages](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Photo%2C-Print-%26-Art-Preservation/Albums-%26-Scrapbooks/Pages%2C-Sleeves-%26-Supplies/Print-File%26%23174%3B-5-mil-Polypropylene-35mm-Slide-Pages-%28100-Pack%29/p/PFS20HB)
### Polyethylene \[$\]
- Chemically inert
- Highly flexible
- Filmy appearance
- Most economical choice
- # [ Polyethylene Short Side Opening Print Envelopes](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/2-mil-Polyethylene-Short-Side-Opening-Print-Envelopes-%28100-Pack%29/p/HYB01682)
- # [ Polyethylene Postcard Envelopes](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Envelopes%2C-Sleeves-%26-Protectors/2-mil-Polyethylene-Postcard-Envelopes-%28100-Pack%29/p/HYB01691)
- # [ Polyethylene 12" LP Record Envelopes](https://www.gaylord.com/YourStory/For-the-Collector-Hobbyist/Vinyl-Record-Storage/2-mil-Polyethylene-12%22-LP-Record-Envelopes-%2850-Pack%29/p/51024)
- # [ Polyethylene Golden Age Comic Book Envelopes](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Artifact-%26-Collectibles-Preservation/Labeling-%26-Supplies/3-mil-Polyethylene-Golden-Age-Comic-Book-Envelopes-%28100-Pack%29/p/ESB7510)
## Say NO to PVC!
Polyvinyl chloride (aka PVC and vinyl) is a thermoplastic widely used to make everything from plumbing pipes to children's toys. It has also been used to make photo storage pages. To make PVC more flexible, plasticizers have been added to the compound that should be considered dangerous and damaging to archival materials. These plasticizers will not only release chemical gases into the air but will cause the breakdown of the material over a surprisingly short time. Photo pages will seem "oily" to the touch and will begin to soften and yellow. To protect your photos from damage, say no to PVC and look for polypropylene pages instead.
#### Check out our free infographic [KNOW YOUR ARCHIVAL PLASTICS \>](https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/2003-10-KnowYourPolysInfographic_Download.pdf)
[](https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/2003-10-KnowYourPolysInfographic_Download.pdf)
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[Photos](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos), [Documents](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents), [Archival Basics](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics), [Preservation](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation), [Collectibles & Artifacts](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts), [Media](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/media)
## Related posts
Resources provided here are based on general circumstances. Depending on the condition and significance of your collection, it may require special care.
Certain actions may cause irreversible damage. When in doubt, [Find an Expert \>](https://community.culturalheritage.org/expertsearch)
### Are we missing something?
If you can't find the information you're looking for, we want to know! [Suggest a Resource \>](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VFG5D5S)
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