We Need to Talk About Tape

When it comes to archivists and conservators, if you ask them the one thing they wish people would stop using on paper and photographs they will most likely respond "DON'T USE TAPE FOR REPAIRS!"

Tape has a lot of great and helpful uses, but when it comes to preservation - non-archival tape can do some real damage.

What's the Deal with Tape?

The pressure-sensitive tapes we use today consist of two parts - the backing and the glue. Rubber- and acidic acrylic-based adhesives in regular tape break down over time due to oxygen and UV exposure.

That oxidization and light exposure can cause the tape to:

• Lose its stickiness over time
• Turn rigid, brittle and yellow or brown
• Stain the document or photo
• Dissolve pen inks or other information on paper

 

But I Tore This Important Piece of Paper!

If the pieces are completely separated, store them in an enclosed envelope to keep them together.

If it's just torn, you can add support with archival folder stock and limit direct handling with sleeves made from archival plastics.

If you use tape, stick to document repair tapes that are of archival quality. Archival adhesives won't yellow or turn brittle and can be reversed.