We are pleased to present the next feature in our “How to care for…” series! Read below for a snapshot into the care, handling, and storage of works on paper in collaboration with paper conservator Karen Zukor, owner of Zukor Art Conservation in Oakland, CA.
In Part 1, Karen shares information on paper and what environmental factors to watch out for.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PAPER
Paper is an absorbent material, easily torn and inherently fragile. It is also highly reactive to light, heat, humidity and acids (both airborne and in adjacent materials). Therefore all paper-based items should be handled carefully and they should be stored or displayed in an environment that doesn’t damage them in any way. Attachments such as tapes, hinges, enclosures, etc. should be of acid-free materials. The best protection for art is an archival quality mat or folder, a well-constructed frame with UV filtering glazing, or flat storage in a well-ventilated area.
AGING OF PAPER
Paper will age more slowly if it is made of 100% cotton fibers and is free of bleaches, artificial brighteners, surface coatings and other fillers. Choose papers with the highest content of cotton fiber, known as ‘rag’, and one that is acid-free. Ideally, the best paper would be an all-rag paper with a pH of 7.5 or higher. All materials that are in contact with the artwork should be similarly high quality (acid-free, buffered with calcium carbonate).
WHAT DAMAGES PAPER
LIGHT: all forms of light, whether sunlight, incandescent, fluorescent, halogen or LED are harmful to paper as well as to certain inks and colors. Depending on the fiber content, paper can darken and become brittle, or bleach and fade. Even indirect sunlight can, over time, be damaging to all the components of paper and media. Use of Ultra-violet filtering Plexiglass or glass will reduce light damage, but framed artwork should be always hung in indirect light
HEAT: do not hang works of art near a heat source. Heat will dry out and embrittle paper, causing it to shrink and distort.
HUMIDITY: relative humidity above 70% encourages mildew or staining on paper; it will also cause paper to expand and/or warp. Avoid hanging art on damp or ‘outside’ walls.
Make sure there is space between the art and the glazing (glass or acrylic), and place felt
‘bumpers’ on the corners of the back of the frame to hold it a little away from the wall(so air can circulate behind it).
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS: air contains a number of gases that deteriorate paper
(ozone, sulphur dioxide, etc.). Framing an artwork greatly reduces exposure to these pollutants and will limit the changes in heat and humidity that occur in unregulated rooms.
Storage in acid-free boxes or folders, in drawers, will also provide good protection.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Protective housing with alkaline (acid-free, buffered) paper or boardStable environment (little fluctuation in temperature and humidity); low light levels.
Japanese paste for attachments (Lineco wheat paste flour).
WHAT TO AVOID
All pressure-sensitive tapes (Scotch, Masking, duct, double-sided tapes).
Spray adhesives, Rubber cement, Elmer’s Glue, YES paste, Titebond wood glue, all dry mount film and photo mount sprays, non-archival backing boards, ordinary color matboards, and corrugated cardboard.
Avoid folding or rolling artwork for storage.