Can You Assume“Acid-free” is Safe?

If you have had anything framed, chances are you’ve heard the term “acid-free.” For many years, simply removing the acid content from mat and backing boards made from paper pulp was thought to guarantee the safety of art. Advances in paper science were rapid and it became apparent to conservators that other harmful compounds remained even after acids were removed. But the shorthand of equating “acid-free” with “safe” had taken hold much to the detriment of the art world since valuable art would continue to be framed with materials that certainly were acid free, but would still harm art because of the other compounds that remained in the mat and backing boards.

The minimum standards for boards considered safe for art are now much more comprehensive. Boards should either be (1) 100% cotton fiber or (2) purified cellulose, 100% acid free, lignin free, and buffered. A simple way of assuring safety is to ask for mat and backing boards that meet Library of Congress standards for preservation materials.

Materials science has continued to advance the all important issues of preservation. A new level of defense against degradation is made possible by a relatively new proprietary product called Artcare®. This product goes far beyond minimum standards of being neutral and non-harmful. Utilizing molecular level technology, this mat & backing board material actively absorbs harmful chemicals present in artwork, materials used in framing such as wood and adhesives, and the environment. Artcare® mat and mounting materials provide maximum long-term preservation of art.

At Caren Court Studio, this advanced technology is part of every item framed under glass and it is provided to customers at no additional cost over standard “museum-grade” products.