Paper Conservation and Restoration
The Paper Conservation and Restoration field is very complex and delicate. Due to its accessibility, paper has been widely used as a support for works of art in an extended variety of media, including watercolors, pastels, drawings and all kind of art prints such as lithographs, etchings, woodcuts, silk screens, etc.; as well as cultural ephemera ranging from documents and maps to wallpaper.
Because of its own nature, it is also very susceptible to damage due to environmental factors and mishandling. Nevertheless, there are a wide range of conservation and restoration treatments (mending tears, infilling losses, stain reduction inpainting, etc.) capable of returning the damaged item to a stage in which it can be valued and appreciated again. The paper conservation and restoration area is one of our top specialties.
Preserving the Past: A Deep Dive into Paper Conservation
From illuminated manuscripts and historical maps to modern prints and archival documents, paper-based materials are central to cultural heritage. Yet they are inherently vulnerable—susceptible to environmental stress, chemical degradation, and physical damage. Paper conservation is the specialized field dedicated to preserving, stabilizing, and restoring these materials.
Understanding Paper as a Material
Paper is primarily composed of cellulose fibers, derived from plant sources such as cotton, linen, or wood pulp. Its structure and longevity depend on factors like fiber quality, manufacturing method, additives (e.g., sizing agents, fillers), and surface treatments. Handmade rag papers from the 15th to 19th centuries are often more durable than acidic wood-pulp papers produced in the 20th century.
The presence of lignin, residual acids, or iron gall ink can accelerate deterioration. Paper may become brittle, discolored, or embrittled over time, especially when exposed to light, humidity, pollutants, or poor storage conditions.
Common Deterioration Mechanisms
Paper degradation occurs through several pathways:
- Acid hydrolysis: Acids break down cellulose chains, leading to brittleness and yellowing.
- Oxidation: Exposure to light and oxygen causes fading and embrittlement.
- Foxing: Brownish spots caused by mold or metal impurities.
- Mechanical damage: Tears, folds, abrasions, and losses from handling or mishandling.
- Biological agents: Mold, insects, and rodents can cause irreversible damage.
Conservation vs. Restoration
In paper conservation, the distinction between preservation, conservation, and restoration is critical:
- Preservation focuses on preventive care—controlling environment, handling, and storage.
- Conservation involves active treatment to stabilize and protect the object.
- Restoration may include aesthetic reintegration, such as infilling losses or inpainting these areas.
Ethical practice emphasizes minimal intervention, reversibility, and documentation. The goal is not to make the object look “new,” but to preserve its integrity and historical authenticity.
Typical Paper Conservation Treatments
Paper conservators use a range of treatments depending on the object’s condition and significance:
- Surface Cleaning: Gentle removal of loose dirt and debris using soft brushes, vinyl erasers, or smoke sponges. Care is taken not to abrade the surface or disturb media.
- Washing: Deacidification and stain reduction through immersion or blotter washing. Buffered solutions may be used to neutralize acids and improve paper flexibility.
- Mending and Infilling: Tears are repaired using Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste—materials chosen for their strength, transparency, and reversibility. Losses may be infilled with toned paper to match the original.
- Flattening: Humidification followed by gentle flattening under weight or in a press. This helps reduce creases and distortions without stressing the fibers.
- Backing Removal: Old mounts, tapes, or adhesives may be removed if they pose a risk. This is often delicate work requiring solvents, heat, or mechanical reduction.
- Housing: Objects may be housed in Mylar sleeves or archival folders to protect them from handling and environmental exposure.
Details from Le Bon Genre, hand-colored etchings after Carle Vernet, published by Pierre La Mésangère—shown before and after conservation. While some pigments had already faded prior to treatment, careful cleaning restored clarity and contrast, revealing part of the original palette’s charm and satirical elegance.
Tools and Materials
Conservators rely on a specialized toolkit tailored to the delicate demands of paper preservation. For mending, they use fine Japanese papers such as Kozo, Gampi, and Mitsumata, prized for their strength, transparency, and fiber compatibility. Adhesives like wheat starch paste and methyl cellulose offer stability and reversibility, essential for ethical treatment. Analytical tools—including pH testing pens and pH meters, Conditivity meters, UV lamps, and microscopes—aid in diagnosing condition and guiding intervention.
Treatments are carried out using humidity chambers, suction tables, and light boxes, which allow for controlled manipulation of fragile materials. Each tool is chosen with precision to ensure material compatibility and uphold the highest standards of conservation practice.
Institutional Standards and Ethics
Professional paper conservation is guided by standards from organizations like AIC (American Institute for Conservation), ICOM-CC (International Council of Museums – Conservation Committee), or ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property). These bodies emphasize documentation, transparency, and respect for cultural context. Every treatment is recorded—often with photographs, condition reports, and material analysis—to ensure accountability and future reference.
First and Foremost: Preventive Conservation
Preventive care is often the most effective form of conservation. Key strategies include:
- Climate control: Maintain stable temperature (65–70°F) and relative humidity (45–55%)
- Light management: Limit UV exposure; use low-lux lighting for display
- Proper storage: Use acid-free folders, boxes, and flat files
- Handling protocols: Gloves, supports, and training for staff and visitors
- Integrated pest management: Monitor and mitigate biological threats
These measures reduce the need for invasive treatments and extend the life of collections.
Conservation and Cultural Value
Paper conservation is not just technical—it’s philosophical. Each document or artwork carries layers of meaning: historical, artistic, personal. Conservators must balance material integrity with cultural sensitivity, especially when working with sacred texts, indigenous materials, or politically charged archives.
In some cases, signs of wear—creases, stains, annotations—are part of the object’s story. Conservation decisions must consider whether to preserve these traces or minimize them, always in dialogue with curators, scholars, and communities.
Paper in Mixed-Media Contexts
Paper often appears in composite objects—collages, prints, books, or framed works. Conservation may involve coordination with specialists in:
- Bookbinding
- Printmaking
- Photography
- Mounting and framing
Understanding how paper interacts with adhesives, inks, pigments, and supports is essential for holistic treatment.
The Future of Paper Conservation
Emerging technologies are reshaping the field, yet the heart of paper conservation remains human: the trained eye, the steady hand, the ethical mind. As we move forward, the challenge is to integrate innovation without losing the tactile wisdom of traditional practice.