An encapsulation is a transparent envelope that is sealed around an item on all sides. Encapsulation is widely used as a method of protecting flat paper items for storage, display and general handling. It is a way of holding torn items together without repair. Encapsulation is most often used for archive material, maps and menus.
Materials that are unsuitable for encapsulation include:
- Items that crumble easily such as pastel, chalk, charcoal, pencil and wax crayon.
- Mouldy or insect-infested items, and some severely acidic or damaged material. The encapsulation can seal in harmful substances creating a poor microclimate.
If you are planning to encapsulate a paper item, it is important to ensure that the item is suitable for encapsulation. Contact us if you are unsure of the suitability of an item for encapsulation.