The Framers Forum

I have a rubbing on rice paper to frame which has numerous creases on it - (as a result of the owner bringing it back from oversea flat-packed in a suitcase!). One most visble where paper has been folded in half.

I have placed in on foamboard and sandwiched it between a couple of sheets of 2mm clear float but had had thought to carefully press it on the backside.

Before I put plan B into action (whatever that is) I thought I should ask the experts.

Any thoughts on getting the creases out?

Cheers

Campbell

I suggest you ask the same question on your "local" grumble....www.the grumble.com.au
There are a lot more framers on that Forum, and some may have already dealt with a similar problem.
Anyway it will be interesting to see which Forum gets you the answer first!
Are you aware of the OZ frame show last 3 days of July in Sydney?

Keith Hewitt

As Keith says, somebody out there is sure to offer you advice.

The Aussie Picture Framers Forum
http://www.framersforum.com/

The Grumble
http://thegrumble.com/

Good luck Campbell, let us know how you get on

Hi,

Moisture and humidity are the key factors for flattening items, but you should never try to flatten any artwork with writing or in this case a rubbing, as the pigments may run whenever exposed to any moisture or humidity. Personally, you have 2 choices here, 1. pass it to a conservator or 2 mount and frame as it is leaving the creases in 'as character'

One method for flattening items you could consider is as follows, and you will need the following items:

4 pieces of thick conservation quality blotting paper
4 pieces of conservation quality tissue
A sheet of clean mountboard
2 sheets of glass about 50mm larger than the document
Several smaller pieces of glass
Distilled water

The first job is to ensure the rubbing is stable in water, the test being carried out with a cotton swab and distilled water.

Firstly, lay one sheet of glass on your workbench, with the mountboard on top of it, then a sheet of blotting paper and the a sheet of tissue. Place the document face up on the tissue, then another piece of tissue, then a piece of blotting paper on top of the document. The top sheet of blotting paper should be lightly sprayed with the distilled water, then the smaller pieces of glass should be placed on top of the blotting paper. The place the other sheet of glass on top of the lot.

The object of this is to slowly raise the hunidity of the document to approx. 80% of relative humidity to relax the document, and then return it to 55% relatibe hmidity. The bundle should be left for approx. 12 to 14 hours, but not longer, then opened and examined. If the document ifs found to be flat, then start the drying process, if not flat do it all again, with a little more distilled water.

To dry the document, remove the damp blotting paper, replace it with dry blotting paper, (both sides) leave out the mountboard this time and place it bwteen the 2 sheets of glass. Every 4 hours, restack with the other pieces of blotting paper and tissue which you have dried and flattened. Continue until the dicument is dry.

Hope this helps.

Steven

Hi everybody for your thoughts and suggestions. I posted in the Aussie picture framers forum and got some good tips. I like the sound of Steven's suggestion so will proceed cautiously over the weekend and let you know.

Thanks everybody, I knew I could rely on you.

Campbell