Individual packaging ranges from simply wrapping each item in an appropriate acid free paper, tissue, or plastic bag to more elaborate enclosures such as seamless envelopes or pre-fabricated boxes. Investing in good packaging will help extend the lifespan of your collection. A number of suppliers specialise in a range of archival packaging products suitable for housing documents, photographs and ephemera. These products are not always cheap, but should be seen as an investment. Alternatively, some products readily available from supermarkets offer a reasonable level of protection.
Zip lock sandwich bags and oven bags are useful for small loose items.
However, plastic is not a suitable enclosure for use in humid climates, as condensation can form inside the plastic sleeves, leading to sticking and mould growth. In a humid environment it is much safer to use paper envelopes or sleeves, or to interleave or wrap items in paper before placing them in plastic enclosures. Paper, tissue, archival foams, and bubble pack are suitable materials to be used as shock absorbing packaging for three dimensional objects. Newspaper and coloured paper should not be used. Large items such as plans and posters tend to tear easily due to their size and because they tend to sag, therefore the use of protective packaging is important to ensure their preservation.