What is paper

conservation?

Paper conservators work to protect and treat all objects on paper, including prints, drawings, bound volumes, globes, maps, wallpaper and more. They tailor treatments to fix damage caused by which can get damaged from rough handling, bad environments, natural disasters, light exposure, and poor-quality housing. respect the artwork's unique characteristics, and work with other preservation experts to promote proper storage, handling, and display methods. They also collaborate with scientists and curators to investigate materials and techniques used to make artwork. This research helps inform treatment decisions and adds to our understanding of the artist’s creative process.

Services we offer:

  • Examination and condition assessment

  • Condition reports and treatment proposals

  • Conservation treatments

  • On-site and in-studio conservation treatment of historic wallpaper

  • Construction of archival housings and storage enclosures

  • On-site collection surveys and condition assessments

  • Written guidelines for storage, exhibition,
    and handling

  • Insurance claim examinations, assessments, and recommendations for treatment

  • Professional referrals for matting and framing services, digitization services, and the conservation of non-paper based materials

  • Emergency response and recovery consultation and services

Types of materials we treat:

  • Works of art on paper, including watercolors, prints, drawings, posters, pastels, charcoal, and gouache

  • Archival materials including documents, maps, letters, diplomas, architectural drawings, and other paper ephemera

  • Parchment and vellum

  • Historic wallpaper, both on-site and in the studio

  • Three-dimensional objects such as globes, fans, hat and band boxes, and folding screens

Damage we commonly address:

  • Tears, holes, losses to the paper

  • Folds, creases, rolling, wrinkles

  • Dirt, dust, grime, soot, fingerprints, insect frass

  • Fire and water damage

  • Acidity and associated brittleness

  • Harmful tapes and adhesives

  • Staining (overall discoloration, mat burn, foxing, adhesive stains, and water stains)

  • Pigment loss and flaking

  • Harmful backings and improper framing materials

  • Harmful storage enclosures