Posted by John Fiorillo on August 10, 1998 at 22:22:38:
In Reply to: HINGES posted by MICHAEL JOHNSON on August 10, 1998 at 17:06:28:
: I read with interest the discussion on toning. I was wondering where
: one might find the paper hinges mentioned in the discussion. I have
: a number of prints that I wish to put in mats. I have been keeping
: them in the packages the various galleries send them in and they take
: up a lot of space.
Response from JF:
As I was involved in the earlier discussion on toning, I would like to make a few comments about hinging before offering a couple of suggestions. Please keep in mind that I am not a professional print conservator, so take what follows only as a starting point.
1) All do-it-your-selfers should proceed with caution! If you lack experience in handling works of art on paper you are likely to do some harm.
2) Using Japanese paper hinges requires the use of Wheat Starch Paste for the adhesive, which is "cooked" before use and cannot be stored for long periods for fear of bacterial growth. (You should NOT use tap water or a reactive vessel (i.e., made from non-inert materials) to cook the paste. I think distilled water or perhaps buffered water is preferred, but consult a conservator on this point.) Obviously using Japanese paper hinges is not the most convenient way to mount prints to mats, but it is the recommended archival method. Filmoplast tape, although rated as pH neutral and water soluble, is not considered strictly archival because it is not always fully reversible (for example, there can be problems with "skinning" of the artwork or leaving behind some of the adhesive).
3) Selecting the appropriate paper hinge is not so simple. There are several types of hinges used in archival paper mounting that bear various Japanese names, but the names themselves are sometimes not meaningful. It takes an experienced framer or conservator to decide on the paper’s weight and fiber quality. One goal is to select a paper hinge that will hold the artwork to the mat but will be weaker than the paper used for the artwork, so that if the artwork is inadvertently pulled, it will be the hinge that will give way or tear, not the work of art.
4) It also takes some practice deciding on the amount of paste needed to mount an artwork. Too much and you will buckle the paper from excessive moisture, too little and the hinge may not hold the artwork securely.
Please read more about these matters and talk directly to framers experienced with archival methods. There is one book that offers a general introduction to the overall subject (I do not know if it is still in print): Anne Clapp: Curatorial Care of Works of Art on Paper (New York: Nick Lyons Books, 1987).
As for obtaining paper hinges and wheat starch paste, there are probably many sources. You might try the mail order archival supplier Light Impressions (1-800-828-6216 and http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com). They sell in quantities that might exceed what you need, however, so also try local art supply stores where you might find smaller quantities more suitable for working with just a few prints.
In spite of all of the above, I would still recommend going to an experienced archival framer if possible.
Hope this helps.