My Framed Diploma Got Wet and Now Dried Wrinkled. Is There a Way to Flatten It Out Again?

April 04, 2022 Post a Comment

Honey Donia,
How do I flatten and store an sometime, fragile diploma?

old diploma

Q. Dear Donia,

I accept my grandpa's high school diploma from 1907. Information technology has been rolled up for many years and seems to be fairly frail. Is there anyhow I can unroll and flatten it so that I could have it framed or stored apartment? Thank you, Margaret

A. Dear Margaret,

Diplomas tin can exist catchy things, particularly if yous aren't sure if the diploma is on paper or parchment. If the diploma is on newspaper, you tin can carefully and slowly humidify it only if it is parchment, leave it alone and contact a conservator. If you aren't sure what it is, contact a conservator. The best way to find a reputable conservator in your area is to consult the American Constitute for Conservation'due south "Find a Conservator" page. Simply put in your cipher lawmaking and select a specialty (in this instance you would choice "Book in Paper"). If yous accept never worked with a conservator before, be sure to read the information that AIC supplies as information technology will make for a better feel all effectually. I hope yous are able to find someone!

If you know the diploma is definitely on paper you lot can carefully humidify and flatten it. Flattening paper is a frail procedure. The safest mode to add moisture to newspaper is to leave information technology for a few hours in a tightly airtight space with a source of humidity. There are several ways to make a humidification sleeping accommodation but the i described below is inexpensive and the components are easy to observe.

Delight note: Exposing newspaper to high humidity for prolonged periods is usually not recommended because of the potential for mold growth. Nonetheless, a few hours in the humidification bedroom will practise no harm if the antiquity is immune to dry out soon after it has been unrolled.

Humidification

Necessary Supplies:

A big, long, shallow bin with a tight-fitting lid (for example, an under-the-bed storage bin)
Nylon or fiberglass window screening (hands found at your local hardware shop)
Spun polyester—Hollytex, my preferred spun polyester, can be purchased by the yard from Talas (production number 3249 would be the all-time option).
Begin the humidification process early in the day. It may take several hours, and objects should never be left in the bedchamber overnight.

Using a plastic bin:

Line the lesser of the bin with a clammy towel (use cold water). Any excess water should exist removed from the towel by wringing it out.
Place iv-five layers of nylon window screening on top of the damp towel.
Place a piece of spun polyester on meridian of the screening.
Place the rolled or folded items on height of the polyester.
Fasten the lid.
Wait. Check the items after about an hour. If they are non completely relaxed, replace lid, wait some other hour, and check again. Repeat until the items take relaxed.

Do not leave objects in a humidity chamber for more than than 8 hours as this can atomic number 82 to mold growth.

Flattening

Necessary Supplies:

Sheets of clean blotting paper—10 or xxx point blotter paper tin be purchased by the sheet from Talas
Spun polyester
Stiff, smooth textile like Plexiglas or Masonite the same size or larger than the blotters
Weights such as bricks

Procedure:

Remove the relaxed photos from the humidification sleeping accommodation a couple at a fourth dimension, replacing the chapeau each fourth dimension. Identify the items on a piece of dry blotting paper lined with a slice of spun polyester and unroll it. Handle items carefully: damp paper tin can exist fragile, especially if it is already torn. Every bit each artifact is unrolled, it should be placed in a flattening/drying package (see diagram below). If using wood products for the top board, it must be flat and smooth, without whatsoever warping. Weight with bricks, simply not too many to forestall damage to the emulsion layer. Use only enough to provide some restraint just not so many that would crush the paper. Depending on the size of blotter yous are using, 2-3 should suffice. Exit the photos weighted until they are dry out. Several photos can be dried in a stack with blotters between each.