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aJerseyGirl
AncestralPea
PeaNut 246022 - 1/29/2006
Posts: 4323 Layouts: 62
Loc: New Jersey
Count: 11 |  Posted: 4/13/2009 7:16:37 PM
I found this out sort of by accident. I was just sitting at my scrapping desk waiting for my Stickles to dry on a layout and just fiddling around with this and that. I picked up the ph pen and started trying it on things like packaging, plain paper, etc. (Btw, a surprising amount of non-scrapbook items are acid free), and I tried it on a Jenni Bowlin journaling die cut shape. It tested to contain acid. The pen I used wasn't that old.
I emailed the contact on her website and got a reply that not all of their products are acid free.
I do try to use acid free products on my layouts when I can help it. But it doesn't stop me from including a ticket stub or other memorabilia that's not acid free. But if I'm going to spend the money on a scrapbook item, I would like it to be acid free.
I know that many don't mind if something isn't acid free, but for those that do, I just wanted to pass on this information.
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slapscrappy
AncestralPea
PeaNut 366641 - 3/10/2008
Posts: 4669 Layouts: 107
Loc: GA girl now a MS transplant
Count: 1 | Posted: 4/13/2009 7:29:22 PM
wow, thats surprising. was it stated on the package that it was not acid free? you'd think a sb supplier would make sure all products were acid free! | |
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Siamese Peas
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 110986 - 10/12/2003
Posts: 2853 Layouts: 9
Loc: Scrap Room USA
 | Posted: 4/13/2009 7:39:14 PM
Hmmm - I guess I don't always care that much but from a major manufacturer, I would like to know. | |
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*Angela
Back to Basics
PeaNut 90289 - 6/10/2003
Posts: 7307 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/13/2009 8:44:20 PM
Thanks for the PSA.
...I tried it on a Jenni Bowlin journaling die cut shape. It tested to contain acid...
Do you recall the specific JBS product?
...I emailed the contact on her website and got a reply that not all of their products are acid free...
Was a list of acid free (or non-acid-free) products provided? Given JBS products are marketed as scrapbooking supplies, IMHO the acid free status should be disclosed/specified. I hope the majority are acid free & only a select few are not. | |
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SDeven
the Enabling Pea
PeaNut 65852 - 1/30/2003
Posts: 19988 Layouts: 317
Loc: Nashville TN
Count: 2 | |
aJerseyGirl
AncestralPea
PeaNut 246022 - 1/29/2006
Posts: 4323 Layouts: 62
Loc: New Jersey
Count: 11 | Posted: 4/13/2009 9:41:21 PM
was it stated on the package that it was not acid free?
No, the package didn't say either way if it was acid free or not. I normally don't think to even test anything. I was just kind of playing around and drawing lines on lots of stuff. The line on the back of the die cut was light yellow whereas on everything else I tried was dark purple.
Here was my email:
Hello, I was wondering if all Jenni Bowlin scrapbooking products are acid free. I recently purchased a package of turquoise journaling die cuts and they tested for acid with a ph pen. Is my pen defective, or are the die cuts not in fact acid free. I would just like to know because I'll use them for other projects, and not in my scrapbooks. Thank you.
Here is the reply:
Not all the products are acid free. I will try to get a list for you of the acid free products.
Thank you!
Ruth
Personally, I'm not all that bothered by it. I still used that die cut on a layout. And, I'm sure I'll use up what I have, but honestly, I don't think I'll buy that brand again unless it says acid free on it.
Like I said before, I'm not die-hard acid free, I don't test everything, I don't always look at the packaging to see what it says, and I will use memorabilia that may contain acid. But if I'm specifically spending money on a scrapbooking item, I'd like it to be acid free.
I'm not even upset with the company. They didn't make any false claims. I just wanted to pass it on in case you are concerned with acid free products.
ETA: It is also entirely possible that the pen that I used is not accurate. I probably wouldn't have posted about this at all if the cs rep didn't say that not all the products are acid free. That's really the info that I wanted to pass on.
I like the die cuts. I may just choose to use them up on cards or something like that. | |
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tracyscraplady4life
Nicest Peanut in the bag
PeaNut 185443 - 1/15/2005
Posts: 6503 Layouts: 155
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 | Posted: 4/13/2009 10:48:31 PM
This is great to know. I don't care about things being acid-free or not, but if you are using her products to sell an item, then it would surely be false representation on my part to say that something is acid-free and it's not. I now have to rethink my next auction item.
I like her stuff and I am not mad that it's not acid-free but if you are marketing a product for scrapbookers, it should state that it isn't acid-free if it isn't. It just makes more sense. Just like items at any other store/vendor say that their products are acid free/aren't acid-free. But now I know!
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*Angela
Back to Basics
PeaNut 90289 - 6/10/2003
Posts: 7307 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 4/13/2009 11:21:34 PM
Here is the reply:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not all the products are acid free. I will try to get a list for you of the acid free products.
Thank you!
Ruth
Would you mind posting or p-mailing me the list when received? TIA. | |
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NYorker
PeaNut
PeaNut 316099 - 5/10/2007
Posts: 69 Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 4/14/2009 6:45:55 AM
Thanks for the warning! Good to know.
Yes, the pens work perfectly.
The only way to know for sure if an item is acid-free is to test it. It is completely RANDOM. Products marked acid-free may not be (K & Co Christmas Cheer alpha "stickers" that turned out NOT to be stickers, Heidi Grace flocked paper - some of it) and some products not marked as acid-free may indeed be acid-free.
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mlamarre
Jeepers PEApers
PeaNut 150625 - 6/5/2004
Posts: 2213 Layouts: 431
| Posted: 4/14/2009 9:13:09 AM
The federal gov status if it's under a specified amount they can call it acid free, there is no product out there that are 100% acid free...
Just like the trans fat in food as long as it's under .5 a gram mfg can call it transfat free..
Maggie |
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Scrapn Nana
PeaAddict
PeaNut 272954 - 8/16/2006
Posts: 1795 Layouts: 9
Count: 2 | Posted: 4/14/2009 11:13:46 AM
One way to check a pH testing pen's accuracy is to try it first on items that you know are acidic, such as newsprint, and items you know are acid/lignin free & buffered, like CM pages.
Once you see how it reacts to those items, you know whether or not it's still accurate, and how to judge the color of items you test.
For example, with one brand of testing pen, it will turn yellow if the item is acidic, blue if buffered, and green if somewhere in between. Many acid-free items will be green. The closer to a bluish shade of green, the better. The more yellowish the shade of green, the more I'd worry about using it.
And yes, I prefer acid-free for my albums, but not everyone does. I don't think this thread will cause a panic. It's helpful to know, though, that just because an item is made for scrapbooking, that it might not necessarily be acid-free.
I've noticed some scrapbook things at the dollar store don't always say acid-free. If it's made in China, I'm leery of it, anyway.
Thanks to the O.P. for posting the info. | |
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Siamese Peas
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 110986 - 10/12/2003
Posts: 2853 Layouts: 9
Loc: Scrap Room USA
| Posted: 4/14/2009 11:17:38 AM
Thanks everyone for the information about the acid-free pens. Very good info.
Also, most all scrapbooking products are made in China. Correct me if I am wrong, but many very reputable brand names that we all use and love are manufactured there.
Carrie | |
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aJerseyGirl
AncestralPea
PeaNut 246022 - 1/29/2006
Posts: 4323 Layouts: 62
Loc: New Jersey
Count: 11 | Posted: 4/14/2009 2:29:28 PM
Would you mind posting or p-mailing me the list when received?
I'll share whatever info I get. I haven't received anything yet.
I never wanted to start a panic about her products and I'm not making a blanket statement saying her products are not acid free. My pen tested it to have acid when it tested acid free on many other products, and I was hoping that the email to them would correct that. If they were to tell me it was acid free, I'd believe them over my pen. But so far, the response wasn't specific about any products. She just said that not all the products are acid free, so I'm just passing that on. If I hear anything else, I'll definitely let you know. | |
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Scrapn Nana
PeaAddict
PeaNut 272954 - 8/16/2006
Posts: 1795 Layouts: 9
Count: 2 | Posted: 4/14/2009 5:02:45 PM
Okay, maybe I'm being totally ridiculous, but China doesn't exactly have a great track record in quality control, and I have no faith in the promise of anything supposedly acid-free that comes from there.
Guess I should check to see where my papers have been made and do some pH testing. I make most of my embellishments rather than buy the stuff produced by the big name brands so loved by most scrappers, so the big question for me is whether or not I'm using acid-free, lignin-free papers. I buy a ton of cardstock and paper.
Are the pH testing pens made in China, too? Could that be a possible reason why they're not always reliable, LOL?
I'll admit that I've probably used products made in China without even realizing it. Guess I'll try to be a bit more careful from now on. | |
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scrapnpatti
PeaNut
PeaNut 381094 - 6/26/2008
Posts: 365 Layouts: 0
Loc: in front of my computer
 | Posted: 4/14/2009 7:32:10 PM
I had the same thought as Scrap Nana except mine was more sarcastic.  |
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teachNpea
He calls me his future wifPEA
PeaNut 260956 - 5/9/2006
Posts: 7311 Layouts: 428
Loc: Heart of America | Posted: 4/14/2009 8:23:25 PM
weird! i use things that aren't "scraping" items...but i agre...if it's a scraping branded item it should be, i still heart jenni bowlin! |
~"What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
-Oliver Windell Holmes
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Tam2
PeaFixture
PeaNut 358347 - 1/22/2008
Posts: 3078 Layouts: 58
Loc: in the cold!
Count: 6 | Posted: 4/14/2009 8:24:06 PM
That stinks! But, I guess at least they're open about it when asked (if that makes anyone feel any better???). I started out with CM & had the acid free thing drilled into my head, so I'm kinda picky about it. Having said that, I do put some things in that I'm pretty sure are not just like you mentioned - but at least I know it up front & can decide if I want it touching my photos or not.
And I agree about the whole China thing - my mom got me a sb kit from LTD for Christmas one year & it sure didn't acid free! |
Tami
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Philippians 4:8
~~~The Queen of Quoting~~~
Happily scrapbooking since 1996! | |
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ckettel
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 181125 - 12/15/2004
Posts: 2744 Layouts: 30
Loc: Chicago, IL
| Posted: 4/15/2009 11:22:45 AM
Thanks for the info. I mostly try to use acid free products, especially if it will be next to or touching a photo. |
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IsabelsMommy1010
PeaAddict
PeaNut 357957 - 1/20/2008
Posts: 1626 Layouts: 15
Loc: Virginia
| Posted: 4/15/2009 1:22:49 PM
thanks for the heads up! I was always under the impression that they were acid free. I'm not going to stop using her stuff just because its not acid free, but I'm thankful that you shared this info for those of us who do want everything to be archival safe. |
*Crystal*
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bama1214
PeaWee
PeaNut 385785 - 8/2/2008
Posts: 8 Layouts: 20
| Posted: 11/18/2009 11:12:51 PM
Hey guys,
Here is an answer to your question about the Jenni Bowlin products being acid-free or not. This is from Jenni Bowlin Studios:
All of our papers and paper "products" (bingo cards, journaling cards, etc.) as well as our stickers and rub-ons, are all archival. All of these items (more than 90% of our product line) are made in the US. We have a few embellishments that are made in China including our Pearl Flowers, Chipboard Buttons, Rhinestone Buttons, Mini Books and Crepe Paper Ribbon. Also, the Crepe Paper Ribbon is not acid free (crepe paper in general is not).
We have not been printing "Made in the USA" on our products previously, but are now doing so with our latest release coming the first of August.
I hope this helps (and I'm sorry for the delay in the reply)! Jenni
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NYorker
PeaNut
PeaNut 316099 - 5/10/2007
Posts: 69 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/19/2009 7:22:20 AM
That definitely is a huge problem when a company "thinks" its journaling card is acid-free but it obviously is not when tested.
Again, some people don't care about this, but for those who do, don't lie to us! This stuff costs a ton of $$$ and I don't like it.
MANY companies are doing this very same thing - DCWV adhesive stacks, K & Co. alpha stickers - SAY they are acid-free but are not. And apparently since no one is suing, they are getting away with it. | |
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pennyscraps
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 266613 - 6/27/2006
Posts: 2383 Layouts: 61
Loc: Lone Star State
Count: 1 | Posted: 11/19/2009 8:38:10 AM
So - for the moments that it matters - where do we get a PH pen? |
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dolphingirl
PeaAddict
PeaNut 38427 - 5/17/2002
Posts: 1951 Layouts: 70
Loc: FL
Count: 3 | Posted: 11/19/2009 9:39:17 AM
Penny I'm sure you can find the pen at any craft store or scrapbook store. I'm pretty sure I got mine at Joanns or Michaels.
On the topic... if it's a line specially for scrapbooks or the like I would think they are acid free, now on better to maker sure if that's important to you which I know I want my scrapbooks to last. |
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pennyscraps
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 266613 - 6/27/2006
Posts: 2383 Layouts: 61
Loc: Lone Star State
Count: 1 | Posted: 11/19/2009 9:43:10 AM
If it's made from wood pulp, it's impossible not to have acid.
Actually, wood pulp creates lignin which is an issue separate from acid. You want to hit a certain PH level in your papers so that they are PH neutral - in the 7.0 to 8.0 area. PH levels and acids are not the same as lignin and pulp issues. Alkali is what is measured by the PH pens and certain ranges of Alkali PH levels are what are considered to be acidic.
ETA: Henry Wilhelm has a great book out on photo preservation. If it really interests you, its a great resource. |
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NYorker
PeaNut
PeaNut 316099 - 5/10/2007
Posts: 69 Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/19/2009 2:12:16 PM
I have 2 brands of pens and they both work exactly the same. One is Fiskars and I forgot the other brand (sorry). I bought the Fiskars at Walmart long ago and it still works GREAT. I keep one in my purse. Just try googling for one.
Just try it for yourself and it is so obvious to see what truly is acid-free. The really acidic stuff turns yellow instantly, while some may take a few seconds. I also test the adhesive used on stickers by touching the pen to it and sometimes then touching that to white paper. Some adhesives have acid too.
There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to this insanity. Some expensive name brand items labeled as acid-free are not; some cheap things not even labeled are fine. | |
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