Restoration of paper

Our specialty is the restoration of works on paper, parchment, and vellum, including prints, documents, photographs, drawings, etc. We also focus on problems caused by biological agents. We understand the factors that cause the growth of microorganisms on these supports and the consequences of such infection, often with serious cultural consequences. We are also experts in hand-crafted bindings. According to the tastes of each client, we can create different kinds of cloth and leather bindings, as well as protective chemises, slipcases, and boxes. We offer gilt edges and we can make marbled paper according to the client’s specifications.

According to the condition of each item, there is a range of conservation/restoration procedures that we can utilize:

Disinfection
We take the same steps as we do with wood, keeping in mind the fragility of these materials, including, for example, the possibility that inks will dissolve.

Fixing inks and paints
This procedure is carried out if inks or paints are lost, or if subsequent treatment with solvents is necessary.
Different adhesives are used (methylcellulose glues, gelatins, Paraloid B-72 in organic solvents, etc.)

Dry cleaning
Used to eliminate dust and other deposits accumulated over time. Can be done mechanically, with thin flat brushes, using various erasers, etc.

Eliminating spots
The treatment consists of local application or immersion in a solvent that can affect the materials of which the spot is composed. Generally, paper can stand all organic solvents and lightly alkaline or acid solutions, but the sensitivity of inks to such materials must be kept in mind.

Wet cleaning
In this case, we immerse the object in water. On the one hand, this eliminates water soluble dirt; on the other, it reinforces the chemical bonds that hold the paper together (especially in excessively dry papers).

Bleaching
This is a process that involves chemical reactions in the paper with the objective of brightening it (through immersion), or of eliminating spots (through local application). Normally we advise against it because it weakens the paper, and thus we limit its usage to cases where it is esthetically justified.

Deacidification
This is a curative and preventive treatment that we use to raise the pH of the paper to slightly alkaline levels. According to many studies, an acid pH will destroy the cellulose bonds that hold paper together, weakening it until it crumbles into dust. On a small scale we use immersion in mildly alkaline solutions, or application with spray.

Re-size
This is a process used after cleanings that affect the original sizing of the paper. It is also used after the reintegration of pulp, and it reinforces its adhesion. Re-sizing regulates the porousness and cohesion of the paper, and we use compatible materials like gelatin and certain methylcellulose glues.

Flattening
A wrinkled sheet of paper can be treated locally or as a whole. To do this, we apply constant, even pressure, after moistening the paper lightly.

Treatment of tears
To fix torn paper we use an appropriate adhesive (paste, methylcellulose glue) and a reinforcing material like Japanese paper. We do not use any methods that may result in material incompatibility, instability, or irreversibility, such as cellophane tape.

Reintegrating the support
When we have to reintegrate a piece, sometimes we use glued piece of paper, and on other occasions we apply moistened pulp. This latter method requires the use of a suction table or, better yet, a reintegration machine. It is always necessary to use quality materials that guarantee stability (neutral papers and methylcellulose glue).

Laying down on paper or fabric
This process involves backing the item with a sheet of paper or fabric. This reinforcement technique is used when the support is rather deteriorated. A wide range of materials are available for this purpose, depending on the special characteristics of the item that needs to be treated (resistance, solubility of the inks, whether both sides must be exposed, etc.)

Ways of presentation
We can make chemises, portfolios, etc., for short- and long-term protection of the item. Such cases must be made with high-quality acid-free materials.



Example. Document (1630) restorated by restaurArt:

Before the restoration, due to ageing and degradation of some components, the document displayed a ocher-brown color with dark zones in the center. Because of the humidity some inks have run and 3 plies were marked because it has remained folded for a long time. Moreover, the plies had been eroded by the action of insects (Lepisma or “Silverfish”).		After the restoration. The document received a first dry cleaning and next a wet cleaning to eliminate the internal dirt. By means of a deacidification treatment the acidity was eliminated and next a resize was made to recover its consistency. We flattened the support (by press) and we reintegrated lost parts. We used a system of presentation by the application of bands in laterals and a permanent paper folder.
Before the restoration (reverse detail) Seal of authenticity of the document.		After the restoration (reverse detail) Seal of authenticity of the document.