Speaking of Mylar-D (Encapsulation question)

Create a Post
Meghan MacMillan

Meghan MacMillan

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Nov 22, 1999
Posts
2,017
Loc
Baltimore, MD
I tried to search first so, please accept my apologies if this is a dead horse that has already been beaten.

A client brought in 2 letters written home during the Civil War, War Between the States, or as my Nanny Jukes used to refer to it, The Late Unpleasantness.

The author of these letters has used every available speck of real estate. These letters have no margin. What is the appropriate response to my concern that the letter not rest on the adhesive I use to attach the mylar-D to itself? An additional strip of mylar around the perimeter? Or 1-ply rag? The paper is very thin, and just to keep it interesting, has worn away at the fold lines.

I'm sure I've seen an article compete with diagrams. Why can't I remember where, or what it said?
 
Meghan,
I've done encapsulation and had pieces encapsulated by conservators, and with even the flimsiest of documents there seems to be no problem with the document coming into contact with the adhesive once the encapsulation is complete.
My understanding is that the Mylar will have a "set" to it from being rolled up and if you use the pressure from the convex side of the mylar against itself (convex to convex)it places a slight pressure on the document.
 
My understanding is that the Mylar will have a "set" to it from being rolled up and if you use the pressure from the convex side of the mylar against itself (convex to convex)it places a slight pressure on the document.

Excellent, Wally!

And there's more...
When the two sheets of clear film are stuck together with a very thin double-sided tape such as 3M #889 , there is what I call a "pinching action" that helps hold the document away from the tape's edge. To demonstrate, hold two small pieces of paper between your fingers and slip another small piece of paper between them. The added piece of paper will stay in place due to the pinching action.

Also, static inherent to the polyester film works to hold the document in place, too. But in low-hunmidity conditions, static is diminished.

One more thing -- be sure to thoroughly burnish all pressure-sensitive adhesives, to increase their bond. 3M #889's acrylic adhesive seem less tacky atr first, but its bond actually strengthens over time.
 
Jim,
I was taught to encapsulate with Mylar in a class taught by Vivian Kistler, but it has been several years ago. In the class, they recommended putting a tiny strip of mulberry paper around the inner edge on the adhesive to keep the artifact from coming into contact with the adhesive. Is this old technique? I certainly hope so, 'cause it's a pain in the bottom!

Leslie
 
I've never had a problem with small, light papers slipping down after encapsulation, but my daughter's 3' x 3' artwork did slip after a few years - it's now resting on top of the the bottom adhesive strip (I use 3M #415). I'm not too worried about this - if I ever want to take it out and it does stick, a little ethanol applied with a #0 or #1 watercolor brush should release it.

BUT, I would sure hate to have this happen to a client's piece. One of the solutions I've come up with to prevent this on heavier pieces is to tack the reverse top edges in place on the back sheet of Mylar with little pieces of double-sided repair tape that I make from the acrylic emulsion Lascaux HV 360 and lightweight Japanese tissue. (I wrote instructions on another thread if anyone is interested let me know and I'll fish it out).

Or, I imagine little photo corners made from Japanese paper, and trimmed right down would work, and be easier than lining each tape edge with a strip of Japanese paper.

Or, if you did a lot of encapsulation, you could invest in one of those really cool ultrasonic seam welding machines, so that there were no adhesives in the package at all. Could even mass produce very cute sleeves/envelopes etc. for storing posters/art etc.

Rebecca
 
Wally,
Thanks much for that piece of advice on "convex to convex". It was worth its weight in gold today with a project of framing 3 one dollar bills to be viewed from both sides. The static mount seems to work perfectly.
I'm continually amazed at how much I learn from the Grumble!!!!!
Thanks for adding that piece of information.
Freda
 
Create a Post
Back
Top