This term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for alkaline or buffered. Acid migration - the transfer of acid from an acidic material to a less acidic material or pH neutral material. Acid migration may occur directly, when two materials are in intimate contact. For instance, acid may migrate from boards, endpapers and protective tissues, as well as the paper covers of albums, and from memorabilia to less acidic paper. Archival quality is a non-technical term that suggests that a material or product is permanent, durable or chemically stable, and that it can therefore safely be used for preservation purposes.
Archival standards are the principles that most museums adhere to.
A paper that is pH neutral to begin with and then has a reserve of Alkaline to neutralize additional acids as they migrate to the paper. Just because you are using buffered pages or buffered papers do not assume that you can add an unlimited number of acidic materials to your album and the acid will be absorbed. Henry Wilhelm is well known to be of the opinion that buffering should not be used around color photos. Materials which are chemically stable are not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically. Lignin - A component of the cell walls of plants that occurs naturally, along with cellulose.