Flattening wrinkled/ warped LE prints

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Dancinbaer

Dancinbaer

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Posts
1,267
Loc
De Pere, WI
A customer brought in 10 water damaged framed pieces. Nine of them signed and numbered (5 Charles Petersons). Before agreeing to take on the task of repairing and replacing I explained I did not have experience at dealing with water damage and suggested a local artist who does restoration. The customer felt the damage to the prints was minimal and asked if I would replace the mats. I agreed to at least get the prints out of the frames so they could dry, then assess the situation.

Well, as it turns out, water damage to the actual prints was very minimal. Only a little of the edges, white area, were actually wrinkled. Two of the Petersons were untouched (mats were shot). My question is: What would be the best way to flatten the areas that have wrinkled becouse of the water?

Can I mist the areas with a small amount of water and put in a low heat, vacu-press?

Thanks,
Denny
 
I have done that successfully using distilled water and lightly misting the back. I set the temp at about 120 degrees and after taking it out put it under a plate mirror with additional weight for an hour or so. Don't leave them too long as you want any remaining moisture to evaporate.

If there are any mold spores be sure to wipe them off with a soft brush and/or gum eraser prior to flattening.
 
Application of water to paper can set of many adverse reactions, most of which will only
show up much later, as the paper ages. The water can move surface grime, oxidized fractions of the paper, and optical brighteners and cause them to accumulate at the edge of the wet area, where they can form a line, as they age and darken. It is safest to remat the
prints, as they came in or to send them to a paper conservator.


Hugh
 
Denny,
Are these limited edition offset lithographs or some other form of "print"?
 
Drymount them. Artcare restore for the more timid.

Carry on.
 
I agree with Susan and Hugh on this. Handball the job to a conservator. Every framer should know at least one reliable one.

Yes, sometimes a little dampness and pressure can resolve minor crinkles but it can sometimes also make a bad situation worse. Also remember that whatever may go wrong with that artwork at any time in the future is going to be your fault.
 
wpfay said:
Denny,
Are these limited edition offset lithographs or some other form of "print"?
Click to expand...

They are signed and numbered prints. Sorry, not sure what you mean by other form of print.

Spoke with the customer tonight. The affect of the water on the prints is very minimal. Most of the damage stayed on the mats, so they are being replaced for sure. Other than causing the paper to be a little wavy, there is no discoloring. The affected part is pretty much limited to the white border around the picture. I am going to cut the new mats, lay them over the print and let the customer decide how noticable the damage is. If it is noticable, I thought I would use the tacking iron from the vacu-press and a piece of release board to try and flatten the paper, as if to "iron" it flat.

The question came up of the affect of the minor wrinkling of the print on its "value". Any comments?

Thanks again,
Denny
 
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