Framing/displaying blueprints

Jana

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
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Mansfield, Ohio
I remember reading that blueprints are light sensitive. (I checked the Archives.) What happens when they are exposed to light? Do they fade away completely or change colors? Is incandescent light as bad as fluorescent and daylight?

The question came up again because yesterday a customer brought in a tightly rolled blueprint from the 40s. It was of something that his father had designed and he wants to frame it. I cautioned him about blueprints and light, but I really don't know more than that.

I want to give the customer the correct information before he decides whether or not to proceed with framing.
 
I can tell you from experience that blueprints don't like the heat press, either.

Not sure what happens with exposure to light, but it can't be good.
 
The conservators will immediately advise you and the customer to have the blueprint color photocopied. That copy is what you frame and display. Displaying the original will eventually alter (read: destroy) its original appearance through fading.

Someone who knows what they are talking about (and that ain't me!) will have to chime in as to the best method for conservation storing of the original.
 
My understanding is that they are sensitive to both UV and visible light. Last one I framed I made a linen drape that was attached to the back of the top of the frame and fell over the face. To view the blueprint, you had to lift the drape.
I saw this used in the local museum on a piece of Winslow Homer's work that was on loan from a private collection. The watercolor was one of the best maintained I have ever seen. The colors were vivid in comparison to two other works by the same artist from the same time hanging adjacent.
 
We had some in Styrene box frames in the office, They faded to near nothing even though Stryrene is a good UV absorber.

As stated, have it copied. The original should be flat stored in the dark with archival materials.
John
 
A blueprint or whiteprint will fade to nothing in no time flat even if framed with museum glass. These prints are intended to be working prints and are one of the least light fast images in existence.

Now on the other hand, modern architectural and mechanical drawings are not as fugitive as ammonia hydroxide developed prints (traditional blue or white prints). They are based on toner technology and are relatively lightfast.

What we usually refer to as "blueprints" are actually "whiteprints". Older prints that have a white image on a blue background are true blueprints. The UV exposed blueline or blackline prints should actually be called "whiteprints", but tradition, custom and habit contibuted to the lack of a name change to proper terminology.

Make copies for framing and store the originals between museum board on the bottom of a sweater drawer in a closet where you never open the door if you want to preserve them...right next to the poinsettas you're trying to flower...

Dave Makielski

[ 03-04-2006, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: Dave ]
 
Rebecca.... High pH doesn't decolorize them.. it just contiues to "develope" them... LOL

We used to make "fine art" prints by putting objects or leaves and such on the paper, then laying in the sunshine for 10 minutes. Then we had a tube with ammonia in the bottom. I think there was a stand-off or stick or something to stop the "print" from getting wet.

I think we actually "framed" with mat board and sold them... the image was probably gone the next week. LOL Funny the things you forget about that you did as a kid.

I wonder if the art teacher knew the print was fugitive?
shutup.gif
 
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