Urban Art Association

I soak mine in vinegar and then bake them.

For ones that have been in the tubes a short period of time, something on the corners should suffice - I use thick books to do this.

For ones longer than a few months, you'll probably have to resort to putting them between two sheets of plywood or masonite.

carefully is all i can say, i'd taken about a week to slowly uncurl a print only to put a small crease in the edge today through being a little careless

However it is minor damage and i'm sure can be corrected successfully.

For prints rolled up for a while, it takes patience, i'd let it sit out of the tube without any extra help to start with then use some books or similar to gradually spread it out over a few weeks or so (acid free paper in between of course), then once happy that it's fairly flat look at sandwiching it protected between a couple of boards. Dont frame it too early in the process or you'll end up with wrinkles.

Edit: buster doesnt agree with me on the books but everything else ie as much time and patience as possible is best

I use two large pieces of 6 MM glass, works a treat.

I put a load of dirt on one of my prints by shoving it on top of a wardrobe to straighten out. Luckily got it off, but for those thinking of such a safe store, remember to clean the wardrobe top first

is Mrs B relegated to the sofa?? where do you sleep, with the dog? i wondered where you'd learned to lick your own balls ;D

cheers buster, i've just made a crude version of that with an old spare frame, the box for a stairgate and plenty of tissue paper
doesnae look as tidy as yours mind but will do the job i think until new year.

cheers for the suggestions also peoples, appreciated.

either frame them (hey, who'd have thought of actually framing a print!)
or keep them in a portfolio...I have an A1 portfolio that cost about £50 and included approx 10 A1 inserts...make sure they're archival.
When a print arrives I carefully slide them into a sleeve & close the portfolio, the weight of the portfolio & the prints I have in there at the mo flattens out the new print nicely. within a couple of week it'll be flat as a pancake.
The only problem is with larger prints, I have a Micallef awaiting framing that is too big. I've transferred it to a bigger (rounder) tube (an old BRP one) which will hopefully let it relax a little more.

This can be a problem if the print has been shipped to you tightly
rolled and has been left for a long time in the tube. The result of
this is that the print will be difficult to flatten without creasing
it, but with care it can be done.

Take the print out of the tube if it remains tightly rolled free of
the tube then you may need to back roll it. If it springs open and
just remains curled then it has not been in the tube too long and you
may simply place it on a flat surface curl up, and introduce a large
weighty book on top of it, being careful not to dent the surface of
the print. If the print is large you may need two or more books to
anchor down each end of the print. Leaving the book/s on the print
overnight should flatten the print. This operation is easier with
two people as one can place the book/s on top whilst the other gently
flattens the print

If you need to back roll the print then you need to use the tube as a roller on a large flat surface (table). The tube should have a diameter of about 10 cm or more. Less could damage the print with a dent if your not careful.

NOTE!!!! you must attach a wide sheet of paper to the length of the roll to act as a gripper to the print. If you do not you will dent the print.

Wedge the print in between the roll and the attached paper so that when you roll the tube across the table the print is wound against the curl.

Tightly roll the print along your flat surface; the attached paper will wrap the print around the tube for you. Leave it wrapped for about 1 - 2 hours unwind and the print will be flat.

Quentin If you want more print care advice contact me
quentin@harwoodking.com

I have always been taught that backrolling older prints that have been in tubes for a while and are heavily pigmented ( grin, HMV, pulp etc..) is terrible.
These prints will crack and fold very easily. Its also terrible for the fibres in the paper.
The easiest way to wreck a good print.
As a professional do you really use this method? is it wise to advise folk to try this with out propper training?