Category: Paper conservation

Lessons in paper conservation

Archival Conservation, Cleaning with gels, Paper and book conservation, Paper conservation

Breathing Life Back Into Old Architectural Drawings

When we first unrolled the bundle of architectural drawings, it felt like opening a time capsule. These weren’t ordinary sheets of paper — they were made on linen drafting cloth, a tough, translucent fabric once considered the gold standard for architects and engineers. From the late 1800s until the 1960s, this was the material of choice before polyester films took over. The drawings had clearly … Continue reading Breathing Life Back Into Old Architectural Drawings

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Archival Conservation, Heritage Conservation, Paper conservation

The Evolution of Architectural Drawing Techniques

   18th Century (1700s) Architects in Europe (and colonial America) drafted on high-quality rag paper (often handmade linen or cotton rag stock) using ink and graphite. Drawings were typically laid out in pencil. Then they were “inked-in” for permanence with quill or early metal-nib pens. Tools like straightedges, compasses, and needle prickers were used to transfer outlines[1][2]. Black iron-gall ink (common writing ink) was widely … Continue reading The Evolution of Architectural Drawing Techniques

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Foxing
Archival Conservation, Heritage Conservation, paper abd book conservation, Paper and book conservation, Paper conservation, Photograph Conservation

Foxing on Paper, Textile, and Architectural Drawings: Causes, Concerns, and Prevention

Foxing is a widespread condition affecting paper and textile-based cultural heritage materials. While it’s most commonly associated with books and prints, foxing can just as easily mar textile-mounted documents, tracing cloth, or drafting linens. Understanding the nature of foxing is essential not just for conservators but also for collectors, curators, and institutions responsible for long-term preservation. What is Foxing? Foxing refers to brownish spots or … Continue reading Foxing on Paper, Textile, and Architectural Drawings: Causes, Concerns, and Prevention

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Archival Conservation, Heritage Conservation, Paper and book conservation, Paper conservation

Sellotape: How it deteriorates and changes with time

  What is sellotape?  Sellotape is basically a brand of transparent, polypropylene-based, pressure-sensitive tape. But, this term is also used for any such pressure sensitive tape of any brand. Sellotape is generally used for joining, sealing, attaching and mending.The older version of sellotape has shown some changes in its physical and chemical properties over a longer period of time due to ageing. Initially such tapes … Continue reading Sellotape: How it deteriorates and changes with time

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