CONSERVATION AND MUSEUM PASSEPARTOUTS: WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WORKS?

Le fine art photographs, paintings, antique prints, and more generally any form of art on paper need to be archived with materials that allow these works not to lose their characteristics over time. The main rule to follow is to avoid contact with materials with a high degree of acidity. If an acidic passepartout is applied to a work over the years, the acids will expand to the underlying paper and, by corroding the cellulose fibers, will cause dark stains on the work. The next step caused by the acid will be deterioration of the paper.

That said, let’s look at the requirements that our cards have for preserving works:

– The Preservation is acid-free, with alkaline reserve and complies with the ISO 9706 preservation standard. It is also free of any optical brightener and has an anti-fungus treatment. It is recommended for framing and portfolio presentation.

– The 100% cotton is acid-free and alkaline-reserved. This fine product meets the requirements of the ISO 9706 preservation standard and those of the Photographic Activity Test (PAT). They undergo antifungal treatment and have a natural color tending to ivory. It is highly recommended for archiving artwork.

– The Museal consists of selected cellulose to which calcium carbonate is added, making the product acid-free and with alkaline reserve. This paperboard has achieved the following certifications: DIN 6738, ANSI/NISO Z39.48 and ISO CD 9706.

Recall also that the acidity of paper can also be caused by air pollution, light, paints, inks, glues, but especially by contact with other acidic materials.

With regard to passepartout mounting, it must be taken into account that the cardboard used for the back also complies and that any adhesive tapes or corners used to secure the artwork are free of harmful acids and solvents. For this on our site we also provide Photo Corners and Filmoplast P 90 plus tape.

If the artwork will also be framed, it is important that the products used are compliant as acids migrate even between different materials such as the frame and the foam board enclosure, equally important for preservation is invisible glass with UV protection. We will discuss the latter materials in future articles.