info@posterrestore.com
312-456-1899
Chicago Poster Restoration
5 S. Wabash Ave.
Suite 1306
Chicago, IL 60603
ph: 312 456 1899
info
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why fabric-back a poster?
A: The principal reason is to provide support for the paper. It also enables the conservator to flatten the folds and to more easily make repairs. It is our experience that japan paper backing alone (common in parts of Europe and among museum conservators) does not offer sufficient support and over time folds may reappear and stress the poster. Fabric backing also eliminates the waviness that can occur when the poster is framed.
Reversibility is a concept that is important in all conservation work, because today’s curators and collectors are only temporary custodians of a cultural object (the poster) that will have continuing and timeless interest for future collectors. We strive to make certain that materials and techniques that are applied to the poster are not harmful over time and are reversible to bring it back to the state in which we found it.
Restoration can dramatically improve the appearance of a poster (see example below). Damage caused by clear adhesive tape, residual stains, water marks and dirt can be easily repaired; combining this with the replacement of lost paper can bring the poster back to virtually its original state.
Q: Will linen-backing my original posters decrease their value?
A: Just the opposite. When handled by a professional conservationist, mounting or encapsulating original posters and documents can help prevent future deterioration of your piece. Over time, paper tends to become brittle, fibers can lose their coloring along fold lines, and small tears can be exacerbated by constant handling.
At Chicago Poster Restoration, our conservation lab has well over 30 years of preserving, and restoring vintage posters. When you conserve your poster, you are maintaining its value, and often – increasing it as well.
Q: I have had an original poster since college, but I made the mistake of taping it to the wall – its decades later – can anything be done to fix it?
A: We are able to offer a great number of conservation services at Chicago Poster Restoration. Often posters and documents are turned away at other conservation labs due to tape or adhesive residue – at Chicago Poster Restoration, we can remove nearly any type of adhesive, just drop-off, ship or messenger your poster to us, and we will be happy to give you a free estimate.
Q: I wanted to get my original poster framed – do I really need to have it conserved first?
A: At Chicago Poster Restoration, we recommend that customers who are considering framing their original or collectible posters also consider conservation. Each poster is considered on a case by case basis, due to difference in acidity and paper type.
All too often we see posters ruined by inexperienced framers who improperly attach posters to an acidic backing or glue posters to the frame backing. Here at Chicago Poster Restoration, we mount posters and documents to an acid-free paper with a linen backing – which ensures your poster maintains its value for as long as you choose to enjoy it.
Q: My poster is in bad shape – it has missing paper AND has water damage and stains on it – can these be removed?
A: At Chicago Poster Restoration, we often restore documents and posters as well as preserve them. Bleaching is possible to remove water damage, foxing, and darkened lines along folds; however, as this sometimes requires that the entire document is immersed, this may results in very minimal, but irreversible color loss. Each poster is treated carefully and tested before this process.
We can also recreate missing segments of your poster – often gaps and tears cut across the center of the poster, marring the image. Our technicians and artisans can recreate the missing paper and image – often making the imperfections virtually unnoticeable. This process is reversible [by a professional] and does not detract from the value of your poster – in fact; it usually increases its value and salability.
Q: We have a frame shop in the Chicago-land area; do you offer your services to local framers on behalf of their customers?
A: Chicago Poster Restoration works with many local – and out of state – framers on conservation for their customers. We offer free personalized brochures for your clients with your shop’s contact information. Just drop-off, ship, or messenger the poster to us, and we can ship it back to your shop once it is completed.
We can also offer a pricing sheet for standard mounting – and if you need a more detailed estimate, just give us a call.
Copyright 2015 Chicago Poster Restoration. All rights reserved.
Chicago Poster Restoration
5 S. Wabash Ave.
Suite 1306
Chicago, IL 60603
ph: 312 456 1899
info