Posted by Marc Kahn on June 13, 2001 at 22:08:40:
In Reply to: Removing creases posted by Francis Yu on June 13, 2001 at 02:18:57:
Hi Francis,
You wrote: "Is there a safe and easy way for me to remove the crease? Somebody, help!"
There are those amongst us, in this forum, who would counsel that you not attempt to do this yourself; rather you should take your print to an expert conservator. I prefer to do these kind of things myself. Here's how I would do it. There is a slight element of risk here, so be careful and proceed at your own risk.
The basic strategy is to gently moisten the creased area and then press it flat as it dries.
HOW TO GENTLY MOISTEN:
Avoid getting your print "wet" and don't apply water directly to your print. I would get a second piece of paper (acid-free sketching paper or maybe even some Japanese washi) and moisten it with distilled water until it is uniformly moist. You will use this paper to transfer the moisture to your print, so get it just a bit more moist than you want your print to be. If you get it too wet, let it dry for a while. Take your time and get it right.
Turn your print over, on a clean flat surface and apply your moist paper to the back, over the creased area. Put a weighted flat surface over it to assure full contact and the uniform transfer of moisture. Let it sit for half an hour or so, then remove the weight and moist paper and look at your print. Probably, the crease will be almost gone.
HOW TO DRY IT:
Put a clean, flat, cotton dish towel down on your work surface and lay the print on it right side up. Put a piece of glass (or equivalent) over it and let it sit for a half hour, holding it flat. By now, the cotton towel should have absorbed most of the moisture. Move the print to a dry section of towel, lay the glass over it again, and let it sit for another half hour. Do this as many times as you want.
Your crease will probably never completely disappear, but you will be the only one who will notice it.
Hope this helps.
Marc Kahn