Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but while Polyester sleeves (often called Mylar sleeves) are extremely stable and long-lasting, polyester has one major drawback: it does not “breathe.” If paper items are sealed in polyester, any moisture trapped inside cannot escape, which can eventually lead to mold or mildew. This is why sealing paper products in polyester is generally not recommended for typical home storage.
Museums and archives commonly use Mylar sleeves because it can last for hundreds of years without breaking down, making it ideal for institutions managing millions of documents. These facilities also maintain tightly controlled environments, which mitigates the moisture issue. For most homes, however, collectors who store LP records, comic books, documents, photographs, or paper collectibles, can rarely achieve this level of environmental control.
Desiccants can help manage moisture, but they require careful monitoring. Too much desiccant can dry paper excessively, making it brittle, and all desiccants eventually need to be replaced once they reach their absorption limit. Managing moisture in paper storage is a complex challenge.
For most collectors, polypropylene or polyethylene sleeves are better alternatives. These materials allow some air exchange, reducing moisture risk, and can provide 50–100 years of protection when kept away from excessive light. This makes them a more practical choice for long-term storage in a home setting.
Storage supplies are an investment—just like your collectibles. It’s natural to question whether protective materials are really necessary. After all, won’t your items be fine stored in the original box from an estate sale? Sometimes yes, but more often, no.
For just a few pennies per item, proper storage supplies help protect your collection from insect infestations, water damage, sunlight exposure, dust, dirt, fingerprints, and physical damage such as bent corners or crimped edges. While no storage solution can eliminate all risks, using the right materials greatly reduces the chances of damage that can lower the value of—or completely ruin—your collectibles.
It’s also important to periodically check your collection to ensure the storage environment remains suitable. The environment is just as critical as the storage materials themselves. In general, collectibles should be stored in conditions that are comfortable for people—moderate temperature and humidity. As the old rule goes: avoid attics and basements at all costs.
Backing boards are primarily used to provide rigidity and support for both displayed and stored collectibles, including prints, posters, comic books, magazines, maps, and other similar paper items. They help prevent bending, tearing, and damage to corners and edges.
The quality of a backing board is a critical factor that is often overlooked. Not all boards offer the same level of protection. We carry backing boards designed for short-term, intermediate, and long-term storage needs.
Short-term backing boards are best suited for quick-sale items or collectibles with minimal value. For anything intended for long-term storage, at minimum an acid-free backing board should be used. Ideally, a buffered, acid-free backing board is recommended for long-term preservation, as buffering helps neutralize acids and can protect paper items for hundreds of years.
The only reliable way to know what type of backing board is being used is to ask your dealer for the product specifications—you cannot determine its safety simply by appearance. Many people assume that a bright white board is archival-safe, but this is often not the case.
If you require custom-sized backing boards, we are manufacturers and can cut boards to your exact specifications, often in quantities as low as 100 boards, depending on the size. Call us for samples and quotes!
This is a common question from collectors who use plastic sleeves for comics, photos, vinyl records, posters, magazines, and other paper or media collectibles. We offer three types of plastic materials that are considered acid-free and safe for long-term storage: polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester.
All three materials are inert, meaning they contain no chemicals that can migrate into your collectibles and cause damage. Each material has also been independently tested and has passed the Photo Activity Test (PAT), confirming that it is safe for storing printed images and photographs.
Below is a brief overview to help you choose the material that best fits your needs:
Polyethylene: derived from natural gas and is a soft, flexible, and clear material with slight stretch. While it is not as crystal-clear as the other two options, it offers excellent contact clarity. Polyethylene sleeves are available in multiple thicknesses—generally, thinner sleeves provide higher clarity. The 3 mil thickness is the most popular choice and is widely regarded as the industry standard, offering a strong balance of protection and clarity. Our polyethylene sleeves are made from 100% pure virgin polyethylene.
Polypropylene: a very clear, high-gloss, and crisp material. We use biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), which is stretched in both directions during manufacturing. This process helps prevent puckering or distortion over time, ensuring long-lasting clarity.
Polyester: considered the premier material for archival storage. It is crystal clear, semi-rigid, and extremely stable. Accelerated aging tests show no material breakdown for over 1,000 years. Storing collectibles in polyester is comparable to meeting the archival preservation standards used by institutions such as the Library of Congress.