L I N E N  B A C K I N G


Linen Backing is the best conservation method used to mount &preserve vintage posters so they can be restored and framed without compromising value. All materials used in this mounting process are acid free and reversible with water.

B L E A C H I N G


Bleaching can dramatically reduce or remove foxing and heavy stains along folds in posters. This process is somewhat aggressive. You should be aware that if the poster is folded bleaching may cause the folds to weaken and even separate. This is typically a small price to pay when you consider the major improvement bleaching can produce.

W A S H I N G


Washing is a less aggressive way to clean & brighten your poster. This process should be considered when a poster has surface dirt or light water stains. Washing can also lessen foxing. It is the only way to remove paper tape that has been affixed to your poster. Be aware that there are many different types of tape. Washing will only remove water-based tapes. Please refer to "Tape Removal" for more information.

R E - L I N I N G

Re-Lining is the process of removing a poster that has been mounted to paper, canvas, board or any other stabilizing materiel. This process is typically recommended if your poster is mounted to a material that is not conservation quality. Since the turn of the Century posters have been mounted to many different materials most of which are highly acidic and therefore damaging to paper. Posters mounted to these acidic materials must be removed and linen backed to acid free buffered materials.

Depending on the type of material and amount of time the poster has been mounted to its backing, this process can cause some paper loss when re-lined. Some paper loss is a minor concession considering the benefits of properly mounting a poster.

T A P E  R E M O V A L


There are many different types of tape that have been used over the years to repair tears and reinforce folds in posters. Tape has been commonly used for repairs on posters without the knowledge of the damaging effects it can cause. Tape can be removed a few different ways. 1. Water - This method is used to remove tape that is activated by dampening the adhesive. A good example would be the glue found on the back of a postage stamp or brown packing tape. This type of tape is the least aggressive and can typically be removed with water. 2. Skinning - This method is used to remove tapes such as scotch, masking, and some types of heat transferred tapes. Skinning is the act of carefully tearing the tape off the back of the poster removing a thin layer of the poster paper. This process can only be done on the back of a poster and if the poster paper is in good condition. 3. Solvents - This method is used to remove tapes such as scotch, masking, and some types of heat transferred tapes. In some cases when the tape is applied to the front of the poster over the image solvents must be used so that the image is not compromised. None of these processes removes the stains caused by tape. Please refer to stain removal to learn how this is done.

S T A I N  R E M O V A L


Staining can be removed or greatly reduced by one of 3 methods. 1. Washing - This process should be considered when a poster has surface dirt or light water stains. Washing can also lessen foxing. 2. Bleaching - This process can dramatically reduce or remove staining, foxing and heavy stains along folds in posters. 3. Solvents - This process can remove heavy stains or tape burns caused by acidic tapes. It is a process that is time consuming and requires proper ventilation and an extensive knowledge of chemical reactions to paper. This process is very effective and produced dramatic results.

P A P E R  R E P L A C E M E N T

We have a large archive of papers in our studio that we use to replace losses in posters. Once a poster has been linen backed papers are chosen form our archive that best matches the loss. Pieces are cut exactly to the size of the loss and carefully glued using an archival rice starch. Once the paper has been replaced water based materials such as watercolor & colored pencils are used to skillfully match the color creating a somewhat seamless patch.

T E A R S  A N D  F O L D S


When a poster is linen backed great care is taken to line up tears and flatten folds. This gives our restorers the proper foundation to seamlessly replace any color loss that has occurred.