Permanent Record Paper

Permanent Record Paper available from Lautzenhiser's

Lautzenhiser's Stationery sells only Minute Book filler sheets that are 100% cotton and are acid free. Our archival papers are produced exclusively by the Byron Weston Paper Company of Dalton, Massachusetts, a division of the Crane paper company. All of our paper is watermarked "Byron Weston" and the "year" of its manufacture.

Byron Weston's archival papers are available in two finishes, "Linen Ledger"" and "Xerographic". Xerographic is a slightly brighter white and has a smoother surface to enhance the document's appearance when it is printed on a modern device such as a laser or ink jet printer or photocopier. Our papers are available in four thickness or "weights". These weights are expressed as "24 pound" or "Sub 24". For the sake of comparison, most common photocopier paper is Sub 20. Lautzenhisers's Stationery offers permanent record paper in Sub's 24, 28, 32, and 36. Our most commonly ordered paper is Sub 28 "Xerographic". All our papers are cut to size with your choice of punching and paper corners. Additionally, you can have your paper consecutively numbered (paging) or choose a decorative green edge (solid or speckled) on your paper. All paper is sold as reams of 500 sheets.

Occasionally a clerk or recorder will comment on the perceived higher cost of our permanent record paper when compared to the price one pays for copy paper or a better quality Bond paper often used for correspondence. Our archival paper is not intended or required for correspondence and general copying, but it is the only paper you would ever want for your documents. On the average the cost is only nine cents per page, mere pennies for the assurance that your documents and your legacy will withstand the test of time.

Why is it important to use a permanent record paper?

As the City Clerk or Deputy Clerk, you have spent hours preparing for tonight's city council meeting. Your duties tonight will include such tasks as recording all speakers, presenters, documents and audio/visual presentations, motions and amended motions, and the results of any actions taken by the city council. You record these items on audiotape, handwritten notes, and more frequently today you have video recordings of the proceedings as well. Tomorrow will be spent reviewing your notes and tapes, copying documents, labeling the a/v tapes, and possibly if you work through lunch, your first draft of eight to twelve pages of minutes can be submitted for review and discussion. Once finalized, the printed documents can be read and approved at a future meeting, signed by the Mayor and attested by the Clerk, affixed with the City's Official Seal, and stored in your Minute Book. These documents are both legal and historical record of your city councils proceedings. They are also your legacy. Are you printing them on something other than permanent record paper that is acid-free and 100% cotton? If not, what assurance do you have that all this effort transcribed to paper won't be lost due to the natural deterioration that occurs in paper made of wood products (lignin) and acidic chemicals?

What are the features of "Permanent Records" Paper?

Two factors are responsible for making papers truly archival or permanent record; "durability" and "permanence". Durability relates to the paper's ability to withstand continuous handling. Our US currency is able to withstand constant handling and it is resistant to tearing and wear because of the durability of the cotton paper upon which it is printed. Cotton Fibers are the longest and most durable fibers commonly used in papermaking. The length of the cotton fiber and its strong, supple nature provide the "durability" for archival paper and US currency. However, paper money, unlike official records, is replaced on the average every eighteen months, so permanence is not a requirement for our currency. "Permanence" is the other equally important factor required for your records. Permanence here relates to a paper's ability to resist deterioration of the paper's fibers from acids. Deterioration cased by acids is a continuous occurrence. By incorporating alkaline chemical fillers and sizing in the paper's manufacturing process, the acidity is eliminated and the deterioration is arrested. Our filler papers combine the durability of the cotton fiber with the permanence of alkaline fillers and sizing to produce "the National Standard for Permanent Record Papers"

Price List:

The most common sheet sizes "letter" (11" x 8 1/2") and "legal" (14" x 8 1/2") are priced the same. Other sizes are available, please contact us for pricing. Prices shown are for a ream of 500 sheets in either letter or legal size.

Numbered Minute Book Fillers
Pre-numbered minute book fillers are available in both letter (11" x 8-1/2") and legal (14" x 8.5) size in the 28-lb. Linen Ledger paper. These are available in 500 page sets (250 sheets) and can be numbered to your specifications. Hole punching is included but solid or speckled green edge is extra.

Letter size numbered fillers: $69.00
Legal size numbered fillers: $83.00

Frequently Asked Questions About Byron Weston Papers for County Recording

Archival Quality = Permanence + Durability

1. What makes paper archival? Archival Qualities are a function of two properties; the strength and durability of the cotton fiber and the chemical stability provided by an acid free sheet ( ph. of 7.5 - 9.5.). In the case of Byron Weston Linen Ledgers, an additional buffer (2% CaCO2) is added to ensure that it remains acid free after many years.
2. Why is 100% Cotton content important? The Cotton fiber is made up of pure alpha cellulose. Wood fibers have many impurities as well as the cellulose fiber. These impurities include tar, pitch and lignin among others. The chemical and mechanical processes that remove these impurities leave the wood fiber damaged and weak. These impurities, once removed are a hazardous sludge that must be carefully disposed of. Cotton is processed using only pure artesian well water and produces no toxic sludge. The cotton fiber, which needs no harsh processing, remains long, supple and very durable.
3. What about Acid Free Papers? Acid is the enemy of paper. It breaks down the molecular bonds between the fibers in a process scientists have called "Slow Fire" Acid free indicates that the ph. of the sheet is between 7.5 and 9.5. Paper made with this alkaline chemistry will last longer.
4. Why does Byron Weston make its sheet both 100% Cotton and Acid free? The 100% cotton will make a sheet durable enough to handle the abuses of handling by attorneys and title searchers, it is tough enough that it will not tear out or abrade. The Acid Free Properties provides the permanence.

Cotton Fibers = Durability

Acid Free Chemistry = Permanence

Permanence + Durability = Archival Quality

Permanence + Durability = Byron Weston Ledgers