Help Mounting Movie Poster

[Zyzzybalooba]

Hello,
I’m framing a signed 27 X 40” movie poster and cannot get it to stay flat. The customer brought it in rolled and it was stored flat between foam core for two weeks before framing. The double mat covers 1/4” of the poster all the way around. I am using Lineco mounting strips to mount it. I have tried mounting on mat board instead of foam core and switching the acrylic to glass but the edges are still wavy. I suspect part of the issue is the humidity in our (big box craft) store, which I have no control over. Could it be the thickness of the mounting strips? Can anyone suggest anything to try (other than putting it in a dry mount press with heat off - very valuable and too much of a risk)? Thanks so much!

 

[Ylva]

Welcome to the G!

The rolled up posters are always somewhat of a problem. Paper has a memory. Sometimes reverse rolling it over a large diameter tube helps a little bit. Just keeping it stored flat usually doesn't do a whole lot. Sometimes when you do that, upside down works a little better, but never results to a completely flat item.
It might be why mounting strips don't work.
Have you tried hinging it with Japanese paper and wheat paste? If you have never done that before, practice on something else first.

Is there room for more than 1/4" cover? It should be enough, but maybe a little more would work (depending on the image of course)

 

[Stephen Ray]

I’m framing a signed 27 X 40” movie poster and cannot get it to stay flat. The customer brought it in rolled and it was stored flat between foam core for two weeks before framing.

There is a brand-named tool called “D-Roller.” It’s very effective at its function. As opposed to a large diameter tube it’s a small diameter and surprisingly heavy. It’s also surprisingly expensive. Supply and demand seems to keep it that way.

In a pinch, one might be able to use the small-diameter-but-heavy principles and make a temporary tool using materials available from the hardware store. The size of movie posters would demand a 48” long tool because they often require rolling in both X and Y directions. Maybe search for YouTube videos.

Good luck.

 

[Shayla]

Hi, Z. Welcome to the Grumble!

I'm glad you didn't try even a cold press. When run through even a cold vacuum, there's the risk that the warps/ripples in paper could flatten as creased wrinkles.

 

[Jleschak]

I saw the “D-roller” reverse roller and also shocked by the price too, figured I could make one just as easy and looking around YouTube found a couple good ones to guide me. I found a long heavy 48” shipping tube 5” diameter and ordered some Unbleached canvas off Amazon and attached (think I just used Lineco Linen tape…it’s a long canvas, so nothing will reach center…no risk there). I put the poster in reverse, and it gets it to 90% after one or two rolls…use archival tissue if item is of value. I’ll try the rotating it next time for greater effectiveness. For the life of me could not understand how making it heavy would benefit, but if I hear a great reason, will fill it with rice, sand or something…or chopped up mat board scraps to retain cost effectiveness. I opted for a larger diameter as “it felt more appropriate”…but truth is it was the only long tube I had at the time and that’s how I rationalized it. $20 or less all in…I use it every month or so…

 

[Prospero]

Sometimes with the best will in the world you can't get large paper items to behave. If it decides to move
there is nothing you can do to prevent it. You can only use 'best practice' to try to mitigate effects of expansion.
Paper is stronger than you might suppose and can exert enormous forces when it swells and shrinks. You can't force
it, it will always win.
Sometimes big posters are mounted to fine canvas, mainly to stabilise and reinforce fragile old ones. This allows you to
mount it to a strainer frame (NOT stretched). This is an acceptable method as far a the collectable value is concerned.
But it's not something that can be done by an average Joe Framer. Specialist job.

 

[Jleschak]

Agreed. A vintage shop in town (posters from 1950s and earlier) sends his off to a group in Maine for that specific purpose. I primarily use on more contemporary items and not concerned with long term rolling, just makes it easier to mount and paper can expand to its hearts content once it under glazing.

 

[Nikodeumus]

It's possible that using acrylic strips is part of the problem.
All the weight of the poster is being exerted downward on itself. A large rolled or wavey thin paper item cannot support its own weight.
Even with strips on the sides, and mat overlap of 1/4", it still is going want to sag. If it were perfectly flat or of heavier stock paper, that might not be an issue.

Ylvas's suggestion of archival paper hinges and starch paste at the top will let the item drape. Gravity will be "pulling" it down.
This won't "flatten" the item, but should lessen the bucking effect to a certain degree.
When done properly, archival t-hinge mounting is inexpensive and completely reversible.
I just mounted a small poster on glossy "poster paper" this way.
As already mentioned, practice practice practice any new technique before performing it on customer property.

Sometimes the customer has to accept that framing isn't magic.
And what they bring to you gets treated as best as you can in the condition it is presented to you.
Anything you do to the item to try to flatten it poses a certain degree of risk of further harm. Depending on the value of the item, evaluating whether the risk is worth it is a discussion to have with the customer before anything is attempted.

Depending on the budget, an acrylic DCO could be the solution. But if it wasn't cost estimated at the start, and if you aren't familiar with the process, it should be discussed with the customer first.

There are other solutions but they require expertise beyond the average framer and come at a deserved premium cost. Paper Conservators.

It's better to have an open conversation with the customer describing the issue, what you have tried, and other possible solutions, than attempting something that could make things worse.
They'll be grateful for your care and concern for their property.