Connecting to Collections Care

Happy Friday! i am seeking your collective wisdom on stamping folders. We recently purchased a stamp and the marking kit from Gaylord. Actinic Ink #230  and the Gaylord Stamp Pad
It was not what I expected and a bit messy. Rather than a stamp pad, the kit has a block of wood that gets inked and then used as an ink pad for our stamp. I also noticed the ink that came with the kit is flammable. What do you all use?
Thanks!

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Meghan Bailey
Processing Archivist
UMass Boston University Archives and Special Collections
Boston MA
(617) 287-5946
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Hi Meghan,

We have previously used a rubber stamp and ink (combination unit) that I got from Staples to date historical photographic facsimiles. The ink is acid free (archival quality) and the markings have not faded over the last 10 years. After getting the positioning down which takes some practice if the area you are stamping is small and precise, it worked quite well i.e., not messy. Hope this helps!

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Taylor Whitney
Owner
Preserving The Past, LLC
Rochester NY
(585) 271-4774
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Hi Meghan,

Can you please provide more detail about what you are stamping on the folders and what you are using the folders for? 

Generally, write on the folders with a 2b or lighter pencil, using a vinyl eraser if necessary. If the folders become damp or wet during any potential environmental issue (such as high humidity) or collections disaster (leaking pipes, fire, etc.), the ink could bleed.  This not only becomes unreadable, but creates a potential for transfer onto the items inside the folders or items nearby.

Best,

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Lissa Kramer
Washington State Historical Society
Tacoma WA
(218) 341-4241
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Hi Lissa,

We are stamping folders because it speeds up processing rather then having to write out the collection numbers. Acitinic ink is waterproof and won't bleed so that is not an issue. It was created by the Library of Congress so it is approved as archival if you will. I'm not a fan of the mess and that it's flammable so am curious if anyone used other archival options.

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Meghan Bailey
Processing Archivist
UMass Boston University Archives and Special Collections
Boston MA
(617) 287-5946
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2019 11:39
From: Lissa Kramer
Subject: stamp recommendations

Hi Meghan,

Can you please provide more detail about what you are stamping on the folders and what you are using the folders for?

Generally, write on the folders with a 2b or lighter pencil, using a vinyl eraser if necessary. If the folders become damp or wet during any potential environmental issue (such as high humidity) or collections disaster (leaking pipes, fire, etc.), the ink could bleed.  This not only becomes unreadable, but creates a potential for transfer onto the items inside the folders or items nearby.

Best,

------------------------------
Lissa Kramer
Washington State Historical Society
Tacoma WA
(218) 341-4241
------------------------------

I may be missing something obvious, but I'm not sure why the ink in bottled form being flammable is an issue. Many things are flammable in an archives including the folders and collections you are working with. It is flammable because presumably the ink is in a flammable solvent in the bottle. Once it dries on the folders it won't be an issue.any more than the folder is. As for the mess, try out the ink with a stamp pad.

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Douglas Sanders
Paper Conservator
Indiana University Libraries
Bloomington IN
(812) 856-4463
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-08-2019 21:12
From: Meghan Bailey
Subject: stamp recommendations

Hi Lissa,

We are stamping folders because it speeds up processing rather then having to write out the collection numbers. Acitinic ink is waterproof and won't bleed so that is not an issue. It was created by the Library of Congress so it is approved as archival if you will. I'm not a fan of the mess and that it's flammable so am curious if anyone used other archival options.

------------------------------
Meghan Bailey
Processing Archivist
UMass Boston University Archives and Special Collections
Boston MA
(617) 287-5946
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2019 11:39
From: Lissa Kramer
Subject: stamp recommendations

Hi Meghan,

Can you please provide more detail about what you are stamping on the folders and what you are using the folders for?

Generally, write on the folders with a 2b or lighter pencil, using a vinyl eraser if necessary. If the folders become damp or wet during any potential environmental issue (such as high humidity) or collections disaster (leaking pipes, fire, etc.), the ink could bleed.  This not only becomes unreadable, but creates a potential for transfer onto the items inside the folders or items nearby.

Best,

------------------------------
Lissa Kramer
Washington State Historical Society
Tacoma WA
(218) 341-4241