Preserve the Items
Items must be protected and insulated to some extent from each other in order to endure their stay in the time capsule.
Each item should be housed individually in the type of enclosure best suited to its needs.
- Photographs and slides – in acid-free envelopes or sleeves.
- Textiles – be sure they are clean and dry, then wrap in acid-free tissue.
- Paper or books – in acid-free folders or boxes, or in polyester sleeves.
- Microfilm or microfiche – in acid-free cardboard boxes
- Glass, pottery and ceramics – pad well.
- Wood – seal inside glass, away from any electronics; be sure to pad the glass well.
- Freeze- dried food – sealed and then sealed in glass containers. Pad well.
- Electronic equipment and media – in anticorrosive enclosures and sealed in glass; pad well.
- Metals – in anticorrosive enclosures and sealed in glass; pad well.
Label each item with an acid-free paper label written in pencil or archival ink.
Place the label inside the packaging for each item.
Do not use adhesive-backed labels or attach them with tape, as the adhesive will dry and the labels will fall off.
