cockled rice paper

[cityfox]

I have piece of japanese art that came in flat. It is 15x57 floated 1 /2" all around. Once we put it in the frame, with the plexi directly on it, it started to ripple. The piece is on very thin paper, with heavy black characters painted in black ink. Any help getting it flat?

 

[Finest Fabric]

If you haven't already, remove it from the frame as soon as possible. It can get progressively
worse.... and hard creases can form....

Art on thin Japanese papers do not react well to Acrylic directly on the face,.... I learned this a long
time ago the hard way, as you are learning now.

At 15 x 57, I would reframe with glass and spacers. You cannot use regular acrylic with spacers
because of the inherent static charge , your only option in acrylic would be Optium, which is $$$$

Removing ripples- you may get lucky and they reverse by getting it out of the frame, if not flattening
can be a hands on invasive procedure best left to conservators, too many variables here to give advice
except to say don't experiment on the customers art.

Also ...in general ....some rippling/cockling etc. is normal and desirable for this type of art and is an inherent result
of the painting process.

 

[cityfox]

thank you so much for the advice. I'm taking it out now and will replace with glass and spacers.

 

[Shayla]

Did it come in floated, or did you attach? If so, I'm curious as to how, and also, what backings were used.

 

[cityfox]

It came in rolled. we hinged it with rice paper hinges and wheat paste. I laid it flat with light weights. It flattened overnight. It turned out lovely. I've been framing for decades and have never seen a piece ripple like that. the piece laid flat when on the table but cockled when we stood it up. we ended up using glass and spacers. I didn't want to use glass because of the size and value of the art. oy. thank you for reaching out.

 

[Rick Granick]

Also ...in general ....some rippling/cockling etc. is normal and desirable for this type of art and is an inherent result
of the painting process.

With projects like this, it is important to discuss "the nature of the beast" with customers, in order to manage their expectations about the final effect of proper framing techniques.
Rick