General Product Questions

Are the Retrospect™ products safe for my photos?
Yes. All products in the Retrospect line are safe for your cherished photographs and memorabilia. The paper products are acid free and lignin free. The polypropylene products are acid free and PVC free. (Polypropylene also does not contain lignin.) A material that is acid-free, PVC-free and lignin free is said to be “photo-safe.”

What does "acid free" mean?
A material has to have a pH value of greater than 7.0 to technically be considered “acid free.” In the scrapbooking industry, the pH range of 7 to 8.5 is the acceptable range for products to be considered “acid-free.”

Can acid really harm my photos?
Yes. If an acidic material is in contact with photos (or memorabilia) over time, the acid can migrate, or transfer, from the acidic materials to the photos. This can cause the photos to deteriorate and discolor.

What is lignin?
Lignin is a naturally occurring acid substance in wood that breaks down over time. Paper with lignin is not suitable for scrapbooking/archival projects, as it becomes yellowed and brittle over time. In our supplier’s paper making process, the lignin is removed. Most paper other than newsprint is lignin-free.

What is PVC?
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a material that is used in some products and is harmful to photographs. Scrapbookers should avoid using products with PVC and use stable plastic products composed of polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester.

How thick is the poly used in Retrospect products?
Retrospect products are designed to withstand years of use. Poly thickness varies, depending on the product’s intended usage. Many customers have commented that they notice the difference when they handle Retrospect products.

Can the Retrospect products really hold as many sheets or photos as stated on the web site?
Yes. Actually, they will hold at least the stated number of sheets. The paper referred to in measurements is card stock, which is thicker than standard printed paper.

Do you have any tips for getting started with scrapbooking or organizing my photos?
Yes. Please visit the tips section of retrospectbysmead.com for organizing tips and information.

I’m just getting started with scrapbooking. What Retrospect products should I buy?

• The Photo Expanding File (70970) can organize photos or other smaller stickers and die cuts.
• The Paper Organizer with Tote (70975) will allow papers to be organized by general category in the expanding file sections, and the extra pockets on the dividers will allow related borders, stickers and die cuts to be stored with the paper. All folders, pockets, and envelopes in the Retrospect line have been sized to fit into the tote section of this product.
• Page Managers (85792) are ideal for sub-dividing Retrospect Totes and Carriers. Not only can they organize pages-in-progress, they can be used to organize stickers and die cuts by theme.
• The Paper & Accessory Organizer (70972) is a convenient product if you will be organizing 12 x 12 papers in addition to organizing larger amounts of stickers and smaller products.

Which Retrospect products include a handle?

• A molded, pivoting handle is included on the 13-Pocket Accessory Organizer (70971), Paper & Accessory Organizer (70972), 13-Pocket Paper Organizer (70973), 26-Pocket Paper Organizer (70974), Paper Organizer with Tote (70975), and Paper Tote (71690). These products also feature a buckle closure.
• A 5” wide x 3” high nylon/fabric handle is included on the 13-Pocket Deluxe Accessory Organizer (70980), 13-Pocket Deluxe Paper Organizer (70981) and Paper & Album Carrier (71582). These products have a zipper closure with dual zipper pulls.

Will the Paper Savers, Page Managers, Storage Envelopes, Paper Folders and Paper Pockets fit into the larger Retrospect products?
Yes. They have been designed to fit inside the Hanging Folders, Paper & Album Carrier and Paper Tote. They also fit into the 12x12 expanding organizers.

Many of the larger Retrospect products have black edge. What is this for?
This webbed nylon material serves several purposes. First, it helps to reinforce the edges of the organizers. Second, it provides a softer edge, which makes handling easier and reduces the risk of scratching surfaces and/or snagging clothing.

Will Retrospect expanding file products fit inside larger luggage pieces that I own?
Yes. The Retrospect products will fit into the more popular organizers on the market. Product dimensions on the product pages are available for double-checking the size of the Retrospect products.

What is the largest size sticker that can be held in Accessory Expanding Files (70971, 70980) and Accessory Section of Paper and Accessory Expanding File (70972)?
All products will safely hold stickers as large as 7-1/2” x 12-1/2.”

What are “border” and “photo/sticker” pockets, and how big are they?
These are flat pockets that are welded directly onto each of the flat dividers between sections of many of the expanding organizers. The pockets included on the Paper & Accessory Organizer (70972) and Deluxe Accessory Organizer (70980) measure 5-1/2” wide x 6” high. The 13-Pocket Paper Organizer (70973), Paper Organizer with Tote (70975), and Deluxe Paper Organizer (70981) include a 11-1/2” high x 3-1/2” wide pocket for borders and a 11-1/2” high x 7-1/2” wide pocket for stickers and photos.

Are any of the Retrospect Expanding Organizers & Totes freestanding?
Yes. Several of them are freestanding. The Expanding Photo Organizer (70970) will expand to over 6” deep and stands easily on a work surface. The 26-Pocket Paper Organizer (70974), Paper Organizer with Tote (70975), and Paper Tote (71690) will also stand on a flat surface, provided that they are loaded with a relatively even weight load.

Product Specific Questions

64494 Hanging Folders for 12x12 Paper
How wide is the metal rod on these folders?>
The rods are 15-3/4” wide. The folders will fit into “legal size” storage areas, provided that there is enough height clearance in the storage product to provide 13-1/2” of vertical clearance.

68111 Adhesive Pockets
What is the size of adhesive area on the back of the pocket?
The adhesive area measures 7-5/8” x 5-3/4” (essentially the entire back of the pocket)

70970 Expanding Photo Organizer
Will negatives fit into this organizer?
Yes. The organizer will hold items as wide as 6”, so 35mm film negatives will fit into the organizer. It should be noted that professional organizers recommend keeping negatives separate from stored photos, in case of fire or other catastrophic damage. Consider having a separate photo organizer for negatives and storing you negatives in a location away from your photos. (You may even wish to store your negatives in a safety deposit box at a bank.)

What type of closure is on this product?
The Expanding Photo Organizer can be secured when closed with the attached black elastic cord (not shown in the product photo).

70975 Paper Organizer with Tote
What are the dimensions of the tote area of this organizer?
The tote section measures 2-1/2” deep x 13-1/2” wide x 13” tall.

70980/70981 Deluxe Accessory Organizer and Deluxe Paper Organizer
Are there any additional details available about this product?
Yes. Both products include a full-zip closure with dual zipper pulls. The nylon covering can be cleaned with a damp cloth. There is padding beneath the nylon fabric covering, providing some extra protection in addition to a quality look and feel to the product. The fabric handles on both 70980 and 70981 measure 3” high x 5“ wide.

85792 Page Manager
This product looks handy. Are there more details about it?
Page Managers keep 12x12 papers plus photos, stickers and other accessories organized and protected until you are ready to use them. Page Managers keep everything flat, but are roomy enough to hold over 25 sheets of card stock. The four front pockets each measure over 6” wide. The left and right sides are sealed from the edge of the bottom pockets to the bottom of the product.