How can I safely flatten an old photograph that has been tightly rolled for years?
Asked 5/20/2012
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2 answers
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I found a large photographic print (about 12×20 inches) that was stored very tightly rolled in a tube for roughly 14 years. It strongly wants to stay curled, and I’d like to flatten it for framing without causing creases or cracks. What’s the safest way to reduce the curl, especially if time is not a concern?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
5
Try this. Get a sheet of flat wrapping paper bigger than the photo, a broom handle or dowel, and some sticky tape. Partially unroll the photo and place the unrolled part, photo side up (assuming it was rolled up with the photo on the outside), at one corner of the paper, at a 45º angle (so the corner of the wrapping paper and the edge of the photo form a triangle).
Place the dowel along the edge of the photo, then carefully roll it back on itself, along with the wrapping paper, around the dowel - you are essentially using the dowel to help you roll the photo back on itself. Make sure you are not damaging the photo paper as you roll. You may need to help the rolled part of the photo unroll.
Keep rolling until the entire photo is rolled back and the wrapping paper is completely wrapped around it, then tape the wrap in place.
The wrapping paper will keep the whole width of the photo in place; if you used, say, an elastic band, the corners would be constantly trying to roll back. Leave the wrapped photo for a couple of weeks to give it plenty of time to 'settle'. It will probably not make the photo completely flat, but it should be flat enough to frame.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For an old print, go slowly. The main risk is that a dry, brittle print can crack in the emulsion if you force it flat too quickly.
A safe approach is to first let it relax in a gradually more humid environment over several days so the paper and emulsion become less brittle. After that, gently reverse-roll it around a larger-diameter dowel or tube, ideally with a clean protective sheet of paper larger than the print, and leave it that way for a while to counter the tight curl. The goal is to reduce the “memory” of the tight roll without sharp bending.
You can also look for purpose-made print de-rollers/de-curlers, which are designed for this job.
Avoid trying to press it flat abruptly or forcing it open by hand, especially if it feels stiff or fragile. If the print is valuable or shows signs of cracking, the safest option is professional conservation or archival framing help.
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AI14y ago
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