HAMLET: To jeep, or not to jeep–that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the album to suffer
The protrusions of outrageous embellishments
Or to take reinforcement tape
And by adhering it. To prevent, to end–
No more PVC–and by a page protector we end
The damaged photo, and the thousand lost memories
That album is heir to. ‘Tis photo safety
Devoutly to be wished. To preserve, to save–
Not everyone realizes that William Shakespeare was a scrapbooker, but as he pointed out in Hamlet, the raised reinforcement tape or jeeping at the edges of album pages is more than a side border for the page.
Shakespeare realized that the jeeping serves to minimize pressure that is applied to the photos in the album. This pressure is particularly problematic when pages contain raised embellishments or when photographs contact each other. Without jeeping, the photos themselves will bear the all the pressure created by the weight of the album. Pressure may then deform and possibly damage photos. In addition, pressure will cause photos to stick to each other or to other materials under high humidity conditions.
Creative Memories album pages with reinforcement tape (jeeping)
Our Memories For Life album page
Youngevity’s new Our Memories For Life album line removes the jeeping that has typically characterized pages for strap-hinge albums. This change is not be a good idea, in spite of the fact that the pages may be stronger with mylar tape. Ahni and Zoe’s pages still have the jeeping, but many of their albums do not use bookcloth (see item 2 in An Open Letter: How to Make a High-Quality Album); consequently, there is no ideal solution.
I think I’ll leave it up to you to decide which products to use.
April 25, 2014: I don’t have any concerns about Mylar. The issue is whether or not the height and stiffness of CM style jeeping enhances the function of the page.
All About Images Blog 
I understand the MFL album has a jeeping, it is just clear and flatter.
Consequently, it will not limit the pressure the pressure placed on photos in the album. Whether or not you call it jeeping is a matter of semantics.
But is that really an issue if you DON’T use raised embellishments and DO use page protectors?
Thanks for pointing this out, Mark. I wondered about that very thing myself. I’m going to a Q&A tonight about the new products, it’s a question I’m going to ask. I’d alo like your opinion on the pages without stitches, but instead the strap goes directly thru the page.
I haven’t seen an album, but I would love to know how easily the pages turn, particularly in a completed album.
I saw a completed album last night. It was beautiful. The page protectors stay on very well, they assured us the strap and everything in their product line is completely photo safe, Rhonda referred to products as archival. I feel I can trust Rhonda in her words. The pages layed very flat and turned so nicely, so much so that I forgot about the deign change and had to do a double take. I took a photo but don’t know if I can post it here, can I? It was something for the eye to get used to after looking at the other for 17+ years but very attractive. The pages lay very close to each other giving a nice continuance from one page to another. I think with page protectors the concern about the thickness of the jeeping won’t be an issue.
Without the jeeping, how will page protectors stay on the new OMFL pages? Are there page protectors?? So many questions!
If I’m not mistaken, Rhonda said that page protectors will be out this summer. I’ll see her tonight and confirm.
Janet, I was able to get a sneak preview of the new line, if you have other questions…….tho I don’t want to take over Mark’s blog. The page protectors stay on very nicely. I think they get a static cling or something because I tried to slide it and it just wouldn’t move! Rhonda commented “I don’t know how, but they stay on!” The page protectors will be available this summer.
You make an excellent point Mark. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Thank God my husband was on board & I have enough CM albums; page, & protectors to do the rest if my life.
Jeeping basically is a reinforced edge to the page. How thick does it need to be to protect the photos?
Ideally, jeeping should be at least as thick as the photos.
But if the album is stored properly, standing upright, it doesn’t appear to be a problem from what I see after looking at the new album.
I think a lot like you, so I value your opinions Mark. I just said to a customer tonight, I wish I could have the best of both worlds, bookcloth albums with pages that have jeeping. I would have a hard time with the colored mismatched pages, as would some of my customers. Looking at the book from the end would be hard on the eyes and I don’t always like the same color scheme on the back as the front. Guess I’m still in old CM land….
It’s my understanding there will be plain pages available (perhaps just in white?) so if the multi-print pages aren’t your thing, I think you will have another option.
Yes, white pages are available, as well.
I’m going with the new OMFL bookcloth albums but buying the A&Z pages until they go under. Then I hope by that point OMFL can buy the equipment and patent to make the right kind of pages. I’m excited about the OMFL stuff but was not happy with the page design (no jeeping). A stand-off page separator is necessary.
I am getting frustrated with everyone declaring “doom!”, on A&Z.Can anyone provide proof that they are doing poorly? So far it seems like just opinions that things are not going well. I’m not being defensive; I sincerely want/need to know.
Also, to repeat an unanswered question to you Mark: if there are only photos, how vital is that jeeping?
Thanks for you expertise. it really helps.
Page protectors and raised jeeping help protect against abrasion and physical damage. The combination will work better than only having one. It is an additional safety factor. In addition, the reality is that many people do not use page protectors.
Jett, Ahni and Zoe is currently in receivership. In other words, if they do not find a buyer, they will be forced to liquidate.
With 2 bankruptcies under their belt, that’s a real good indicator of doom. Ask their CEO. A&Z has stated their sales are low, their recruiting is low; if they don’t find a buyer soon they will close the doors, Chris Viet said it. They are currently liquidating their old products. Many of those products now in liquidation were supposedly no longer in stock last year in their Last Chance Sale. I applaud those conultants who continue to fight the fight.
My mom’s 60 year old webway photo album has no jeeping and no page protectors. The photos are in excellent condition. My mom also put greeting cards in the album and they have not harmed the photos with their thickness. When cm added jeeping to the turning side it was only to keep the turning edge from wearing. The decision had nothing to do with pressure relief on photos. Trust me, I was in the meeting when the decision was made. Mark was not working for the company [Creative Memories] yet.
Seems RA goes with whatever benefits her. She taught us about jeering & page protectors that didn’t open on top & to protect photos from paper (greeting cards) that were not photo safe. Lean to whatever us going to profit her
Louanna, this may be your opinion and are certainly free to express it, but I find your comment hateful and bitter. You obviously don’t know Rhonda Anderson. She is the kindest, sweetest person you could ever meet and not a shred of dishonesty in her. She has always been extremely transparent with us. She has worked diligently to come up with the best products there are. I too had a concern when I read Mark’s initial post, however, since then I have seen the new albums, with photos and memorabilla included, without the jeeping and they are fabulous, strong and will work extremely well. To insinuate that she would say or do anything to her benefit is nothing short of cruel. I have photos that didn’t get damaged in magnetic albums, too. Does that mean magnetic albums ARE safe? No, you know they aren’t. The albums Rhonda grew up with were great albums, and all these years have survived without the jeeping. When they started using them in CM albums, it was solely to protect the edges. Photos and cards from 60 years ago are not made up of the same materials as in present days. It is important, in my opinion, to continue to research the best materials and continue advancing. I agree, after 80 years, it’s time the album was upgraded. Rhonda has given up a lot and lost a lot in order to give us the best possible product. She has not a shred of self centeredness in her, she loves and appreciates everyone dearly. She also has feelings and comments like yours are hurtful and untrue. I’m sorry I just cannot read a comment as rude as yours and not say anything,
In my 13+ years as a CMC we were most certainly told that the jeeping helped protect photos. Maybe that wasn’t the original intent but it certainly was used as a marketing tool to sell them. Is this another example of Rhonda Anderson saying what a company tells her to like she said was done in the past or is this her simply changing her tune to suit her needs?
I do not believe that Mark Mizen stated in this blog that the original decision to add the thicker jeeping was to relieve pressure on the photos. But, intended or not, that was one of the results. In fact, training and class materials put out by CM state exactly that. Therefore, the company (and one would have to assume that included Rhonda Anderson) believed that to be so. To argue whether or not that was the original intention just seems silly. I certainly respect the opinion of someone with the education and experience that Mark Mizen has in this area.
Nancy I respect your feelings, but apparently you have not received a personal email from RA that lied BOLDLY about Creative Memories and has Ben very cruel and hateful to others. Best of luck with your business.
Ok, then, inform me, what did she lie about, in what way has she been cruel and hateful to others? You can write to me at melekapono@yahoo.com. I don’t normally post my email publicly like this but I don’t think this conversation belongs in Mark’s blog either.
Sorry your blog took this twist Mark. Forgive me, but I just can’t stand silent when someone chastises Rhonda in this way. Very sad indeed that someone would slam someone else publicly like this.
Thank you, Dr. Mizen, for using satire to bring the truth to light. All of us who were CM Consultants for any length of time can attest to the ever changing views of RA concerning products spanning many years. In my opinion, the only constant in her expounding is the necessity of protecting her livelihood.
Interesting…it’s ok to chastise Mark for his HIGHLY EDUCATED opinion about the importance of jeeping. It’s ok to chastise people for calling Rhonda Anderson out on the myriad of differing “truths” we’ve heard and seen in print over the years. But it’s NOT ok to call out Rhonda for those differing “truths” we’ve all heard? That’s just hypocritical.
Thank you, Dr. Mark, for your continued interest in keeping people informed about the science of this stuff. And for including Shakespeare.
Thanks for everyone’s support. If I had to come up with a top 10 list of improvements to Creative Memories’ products, removal of the jeeping tape would not have been on that list and arguing that you are doing it because of a 10% increase in strength is questionable, given the variability in page strength measurements. The most likely explanation is that Youngevity removed the jeeping tape because pages are cheaper to produce without it. You may take my views for what they are. I am still Chair of the ISO committee responsible for photo safety and I remain actively committed to high quality photo products through my involvement with Panstoria.
Chastising Mark? I didn’t see anyone chastising Mark. Mark is highly repected and that is why we are all here. For those who have an issue with Rhonda’s integrity, well, I’m very sorry you feel that way. I wish you could know the truth. She is a woman of integrity. I’m not going to argue about it and certainly Mark’s blog is not the place for it. I presented the facts to one person and gave her the freedom to reply to me privately out of respect for Mark and his blog. If I was wrong in speaking up, I’m sorry, but why is only one side of the story acceptable? Criticizing someone’s integrity has nothing to do with the fact that there are now 2 different albums – one with jeeping, one without. Mark made some excellent analysis of the 2 and the rest of us are free to choose whichever product we prefer.
IMHO criticizing is what RA did by making such a comment about a highly educated, very much in-the-know person such as Dr. Mark… I trust him to help keep my photos safe for my family long after I am gone. Keep up the good work, Dr. Mark 🙂
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Mark, you were right (I’m going to start adding “as usual” soon).
Heritage Makers–who you have been hinting were/are not measuring up to the quality that CM was–have made a boo-boo:
Some of the new OMFL refill pages–you know, the ones without jeeping?–have been shipped where the holes on the pages are punched too closely to the edge, resulting in tearing and fraying. HM promises that they’re working on the problem and that anyone who has those pages need only contact them and they’ll credit them for the loss (not *refund*, credit.).
Then at the end of this message, the writer suggested: “If you’ve got any torn pages, you can cut off the jeeping and still use the pages in our top-loading page protectors coming soon!”
. . . and I was like “What? I thought that for years CM advocated side-loading protectors b/c they keep an upright album (which is how you’re supposed to store them) from getting dust, pet/human hair, and other stuff in the pages…and now not only are they discounting that the pages aren’t 10% stronger b/c of this manufacturer’s mistake, but that the page protectors Rhonda mentioned might actually only be top-loading, slide in ones…like the ones you can get in *any* craft store?”
This is not the CM I remember…..why did I sign up for this company based only on the fact that Rhonda was advocating it and b/c the pages were “pretty”?. I’m seriously thinking of canceling before they renew me for another month.
Hours of thinking about it and you are *still* right: the jeeping and the ribbon is stronger and better for an album. And the more I think about Rhonda discrediting or brushing off the effectiveness of the jeeping over and over again, saying things like “It’s not needed.” and “It wasn’t there to begin with my old albums.” and “this way is so much better”, the more I begin to think she doesn’t know what the heck she’s talking about (probably b/c though she was the CEO of CM, she really didn’t understand or care about the science part of the company like you did). Either that, or she only said those things to show her *loyalty* to the new company and their compromises (and cutting corners to save money), which in turn have become *her* compromises….and what’s worse, unless Rhonda truly hasn’t compromised and insists that HM provide a better product, I (and many others) will be forced to use hard-earned money to buy these *compromised* products instead of ones that will truly last b/c there’s “no refunds” in *any* of these DS companies.