At The Printery, every project is handled with care and precision. Our team of seasoned professionals brings decades of experience to the table, ensuring that each print job meets the highest standards of quality.
Paper oxidation is a slow process that changes the way paper looks and feels over time. Just like how metal rusts when exposed to air and moisture, paper also reacts to oxygen and other elements in the environment. When this happens, paper can turn yellow, become brittle, or lose its clean, professional appearance.
Though oxidation is often discussed in libraries or museums, it’s just as relevant in offices. Understanding how it works and how to prevent it helps protect your print investment and avoid waste.

The Concept of Paper Oxidation
Exposure to light (especially UV), heat, humidity, and airborne pollutants accelerates oxidation in paper fibers. Over time, these environmental stressors promote the breakdown of cellulose and lignin, leading to yellowing, brittleness, and mechanical weakness.1
Lignin (a natural wood component) is particularly prone to oxidation. When it oxidizes, it forms yellow chromophores, which give paper its brown or yellow tones. Papers with high lignin or hemicellulose content degrade faster.2
In addition, cellulose fibers also oxidize: oxygen reacts with hydroxyl groups, forming carbonyl and carboxyl groups, which weaken the fibers and reduce pH, making the paper more acidic and more unstable.3
Even if you don’t notice the change right away, it’s slowly happening every day the paper is left out or stored in the wrong conditions.
Impact of Paper Oxidation in Business Settings
Companies often invest in high-quality printing for letterheads, certificates, brochures, business cards, and product packaging. These items represent your brand, so it’s important they look sharp and professional, even years after they’re printed.
But if those materials are not stored properly, they can age poorly.
- Daily use: Documents stored in desk drawers or supply rooms can degrade faster than expected.
- Long-term records: Contracts, certifications, or archived marketing materials can lose quality over time.
- Cost and waste: Reprinting materials to replace damaged stock wastes money and resources.
- Brand consistency: A shift in paper color or texture affects how your brand is seen by clients and partners.
Let’s say a company prints 5,000 custom letterheads and stores them in an office supply closet for 10 years. Here’s what could happen:
- Year 1: The paper looks crisp and clean. No visible change.
- Year 3: Slight yellowing begins on the edges, which is barely noticeable unless compared to a new sheet.
- Year 5: The paper tone is visibly duller. White has shifted to cream. Inks may appear faded.
- Year 7: Edges may feel drier and more fragile. Some sheets begin curling slightly.
- Year 10: Paper shows full signs of oxidation: yellowing, brittleness, uneven color. The letterhead no longer matches the company’s updated materials.
This gradual damage may seem small, but it matters when you’re trying to present a consistent brand. A stained or faded letterhead can make a business appear outdated or careless, even if the rest of the company appears sleek and modern.
Knowing how oxidation works and how to prevent it can help your business avoid preventable damage. By storing printed materials in a cool, dark, dry place and using acid-free or archival-quality paper, you can keep them looking fresh for years.
Simple actions today can protect your brand’s image and save money down the line.
How to Store Printed Materials to Prevent Discoloration
Discoloration and paper damage from oxidation happen slowly, but the effects are permanent. But with a few simple steps, you can protect your materials from fading and aging too soon.
1. Use Acid-Free Storage Materials
Acid in folders, envelopes, or boxes can speed up oxidation and yellowing.
- Store documents in acid-free folders, sleeves, or boxes.
- Avoid ordinary cardboard boxes or plastic bags unless they’re marked archival-safe.
2. Keep Paper Away from Light
Light (especially sunlight and fluorescent light) fades ink and breaks down paper fibers.
- Store items in a dark cabinet, drawer, or file.
- Avoid leaving print materials on desks or near windows.
3. Control Temperature and Humidity
Heat and moisture create the perfect environment for oxidation and mold.
- Aim for a cool, dry place, ideally around 60–70°F (15–21°C) and 30–50% humidity.
- Avoid storage rooms that get hot in summer or damp during rainy seasons.
4. Seal Out Air and Pollutants
Oxygen, dust, and air pollutants can all contribute to paper degradation.
- Use airtight containers or zippered document bags with silica packets for long-term storage.
- For added protection, use Faraday-style sleeves or envelopes that shield from both light and air exposure (if needed for security-focused materials).
5. Handle with Clean, Dry Hands
Oils, dirt, and moisture from your hands can damage paper and ink.
- Always wash your hands or wear cotton gloves when handling large quantities of stored materials.
- Avoid eating or drinking near stored documents.
6. Store Items Flat and Unfolded
Folds and pressure points can crack ink and weaken the paper structure.
- Keep sheets flat in stacks, not rolled or folded.
- Don’t overpack drawers or boxes. Leave some space to avoid pressure damage.
7. Label and Rotate Stock
Just like with food or inventory, first in should be out.
- Label boxes or folders by date of printing.
- Use older materials first to avoid aging items sitting unused for years.
Whether you’re managing a small office or a large marketing department, good storage habits can help ensure your materials always look their best, whenever you need them.
Protecting Your Print Investment
Proper storage isn’t just about keeping things trim and organized. It’s also about:
- Protecting your investment in printing costs
- Maintaining brand consistency across months or even years
- Reducing waste caused by fading, yellowing, or damage
- Preserving professionalism so every document makes the right impression
Even small choices, like using the right storage box or avoiding sunlight, can make a big difference. Paying attention to how you store your materials helps prevent reprints, keeps your brand looking sharp, and avoids sending mixed signals with outdated-looking documents.
Need help choosing the right paper or printing high-quality materials built to last?
The Printery can guide you – from material selection to expert storage tips – so your print investment pays off in the long term.

Sources:
- Peters, D.: May 1996. (2025). Jcms-Journal.com. https://jcms-journal.com/articles/2/files/submission/proof/2-1-18-2-10-20110311.html
- Małachowska, E., Pawcenis, D., Dańczak, J., Paczkowska, J., & Przybysz, K. (2021). Paper Ageing: The Effect of Paper Chemical Composition on Hydrolysis and Oxidation. Polymers, 13(7), 1029. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13071029
- Vibert, C., Fayolle, B., Ricard, D., & Dupont, A.-L. (2023). Decoupling hydrolysis and oxidation of cellulose in permanent paper aged under atmospheric conditions. Carbohydrate Polymers, 310, 120727–120727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120727