The Framers Forum

Dear All,
I have been given a large photograph (100x70cm) to re-frame. It's mostly in good condition, but has a slight "ripple" or "wave"all the way across, which does not respond to simple pressing. The photo is supposed to have some value (although the photo paper is probably not of the best quality), so I should prefer not to resort to anything too drastic to hold it down - at least until I have discussed it with the owner!
Has anyone encountered this problem and have any solutions? I'd be most grateful!
Regards
Hamfisted

Hi and Welcome Hamfisted.

In my experience photos that have curled or developed waves/bumps will resist all efforts to flatten them out without actually sticking them down. I once had a panoramic school photo to frame that had been rolled in a tube since 1947. I managed with much difficulty to persuade it inbetween two sheets of board and left it in a drawer with a load of heavy books on top for about 6 weeks. When I took it out it rolled back up just as tight. I had to drimount it in the end, and getting it in the press was a bit like trying to get an octopus into a milk bottle.

Of course it depends on the photo paper. Maybe some papers will flatten out, but I wouldn't be too hopeful. I'm not sure if there is a reliable way of relaxing photo papers. The emulsion would be very vunerable to any attempted damping.

If you do decide that sticking is the only option, beware. A linear wave will flatten in a press with no prob, but sometimes if it's a 'bump' rather than a 'wave' you can end up with a half-moon crease and the photo is ruined.

That's all I know. I'm sure others on the Forum will have some magic methods.

prospero wrote:I'm sure others on the Forum will have some magic methods.

I have a magic method with valuable photos which need attention - i send them to an expert.

The Centre for Photographic Conservation are The people I'd go to.

http://www.cpc.moor.dial.pipex.com/

I've never had work done by them myself, but i have consulted them, and a customer of mine collects Victorian photos and swears by their skills. Obviously there will be considerable costs involved, so your customer might not want to bother, but i'd be surprised if they cannot flatten this thing out. Also their skills are much in demand(there are remarkably few photo conservators) so you might have to wait a few months to get the work done.

Other than that you could try bonding it to board using BEVA adhesive. See the Conservation By Design website for details

http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/

But I'd echo Prospero's comments -

prospero wrote:If you do decide that sticking is the only option, beware. A linear wave will flatten in a press with no prob, but sometimes if it's a 'bump' rather than a 'wave' you can end up with a half-moon crease and the photo is ruined.

Also, in the past i've managed to keep wavy pieces flat in the frame by making a frame with a strainer/sub-frame made from warped timber so as to apply more pressure to push the artwork against the mount(i suppose if you haven't got any warped timber you could steam-bend some )

Good luck with it

If it's not a high gloss photo I'd probably try sticking it down to Artcare Restore.

If it's a problem getting it flat in the press I'd normally weight it down with a sheet of mountboard on top of the release film. With a glass-topped press it would presumably be much easier to check for creases before applying the vacuum.

Prospero, Framejunkie and Welsh Framer,

Thank you for your welcome to the board and for your thoughtful and most helpful advice! Is Artcare Restore sold by Lion? I can't spot it in their catalogue or that of my local supplier Wessex Pics.
Best wishes
Hamfisted

Artcare Restore is a Neilsen Bainbridge product, Wessex should be able to supply it.

My hot & cold press Ademco 2125 is my best friend for norty curly wavy things.

There is always a way to persuade things flat with care patience, trouble is conservation issues often stop you doing things that would solve the problem quickly easily.

All the best

Welcome Hamfisted!

Why not try Nielsen-Bainbridge direct - cut out the middle man. Wouldn't be surprised if you're on their van route in Rye (lovely place) - you're no further from them than I am. If you are there's no carriage charge, but the downside is that you have to buy artcare restore in boxes of 25, whereas a distributor, such as Wessex (if they do stock it) may sell you just one sheet.

If you want to try it out before buying and ever pass this way I'll give you a slack handful of decent sized offcuts and a demo.

Again, many thanks for your words of wisdom and generosity - I'm quite overwhelmed!!

Best wishes,

Hamfisted