Sealed PackagesSealed Packages

Presented by Kimberly Andrews

Preservation Services Officer

Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts

Philadelphia, PA

Features of a Sealed Features of a Sealed PackagePackage

Mitigates against changes in humidity

Protects from environmental pollutants

Prevents insect and mold infestation

Continues to condition sealed micro-climate to preserve object

Contents of a sealed Contents of a sealed packagepackage

Glazing (UV-filtering glass or acrylic) Window mat/spacer with Bainbridge

Artcare matboard Object Artcare mat board or Tycore backboard Buffered, rigid corrugated backing board Marvelseal laminate and #415 adhesive

Cross section of a picture Cross section of a picture frameframe

Glass vs. AcrylicGlass vs. Acrylic

Glass Can break and

damage art Easy care, scratch

resistant Heavy Color distortion with

extra coatings Excludes all humidity

Acrylic Shatter-proof Needs special cleaner

and soft cloth Light weight Truer color

Moisture can migrate through

GlazingGlazingGlazing Material Material Light Light

TransmissioTransmissionn

Light Light ReflectioReflectionn

UV UV Blocking Blocking CapacityCapacity

Optium Museum Optium Museum AcrylicAcrylic

(UV-F, antireflective (UV-F, antireflective and antistatic)and antistatic)

96%96% <1%<1% 98%98%

Museum GlassMuseum Glass

(UV-F and anti-(UV-F and anti-reflective)reflective)

96%96% <1%<1% 98%98%

Conservation Clear Conservation Clear Acrylite Acrylic (UV-F)Acrylite Acrylic (UV-F)

92%92% 8%8% >98%>98%

Conservation Glass Conservation Glass (UV-F)(UV-F)

>89%>89% 8%8% 98%98%

Clear Acrylite AcrylicClear Acrylite Acrylic

(no coating)(no coating)92%92% 8%8% 66%66%

Picture Glass Picture Glass

(no coating)(no coating)>90%>90% 8%8% 45%45%

Window mat functionWindow mat function Holds the glazing away from the surface of

the object (prevent object’s touching the glass or acrylic)

Helps to secure the object with light pressure on its edges (assist the hinges or edge supports to restrain the object)

In a sealed package, continues to maintain micro environment with ideal humidity conditioning and off-gas adsorption (Bainbridge Artcare with zeolites)

Matboard thickness or plyMatboard thickness or ply

Archival grade matboard for window mats is available as 4 ply, 6 ply and 8 ply.

4 ply is traditional thickness but is inadequate for keeping object away from glazing.

8 ply is the preferred depth

Bainbridge Artcare Bainbridge Artcare MatboardMatboard

Microchamber technology Proprietary SPZ zeolite molecular

trap Alkaline buffer with calcium

carbonate to pH 8.5 100% cotton fiber paper

BackboardBackboard The object is attached to a 4 ply or 8ply

archival backboard or Tycore. An object is never attached to the window

mat. Gummed linen tape is used to hinge the

window mat to the backboard so the window mat is attached on the long edge like a book or from the top.

Backboard provides an acid-free, rigid surface to support the entire object.

Rigid Backing BoardRigid Backing Board

A rigid backing board should provide another layer of protection behind the backboard.

Alkaline buffered corrugated board (blue board) single or double wall, acid-free foam core board, or archival Coroplast are preferred.

Attaching or mounting the Attaching or mounting the object to the backboardobject to the backboard

Hinges Japanese paper (mulberry paper) and

wheat starch paste – can be T-hinges or V-hinges

Edge/corner supports Mylar photo corners Archival paper corners/edge supports

made from Microchamber buffered paper or Renaissance unbuffered paper

Mounting and hinging Mounting and hinging optionsoptions

Mat or spacer Mounting options

Window mat over the edge of the object

T-hinges, edge supports or corners

Float object in window sink mat or with spacers

V-hinges at top and sides, slip hinges

Hinging OptionsHinging Options

Creating Sealed PackagesCreating Sealed Packages

Marvelseal 360Marvelseal 360

Composed of laminated nylon, aluminum, polyethylene

Vapor barrier Bonds to self with heat Bonds to acrylic or glass glazing with

adhesive

Bonding Marvelseal to Bonding Marvelseal to GlazingGlazing

Less than 1/8” 3M #415 neutral, double stick

adhesive tape is attached by hand to

the face and over the edge of the

glazing

Bonding Marvelseal to Bonding Marvelseal to GlazingGlazing

Marvelseal is pulled taut over the adhesive

Marvelseal is boned flat

Tacking iron creates air-tight bond

Corners are folded and heat-bonded

Bonding Marvelseal to Bonding Marvelseal to GlazingGlazing

Marvelseal is trimmed to 1/8” on face of glazing

Edges are covered with clear Permacel/J-Lar tape to protect against puncture

Features of a Sealed Features of a Sealed PackagePackage

Mitigates against changes in humidity

Protects from environmental pollutants

Prevents insect and mold infestation

Continues to condition sealed micro-climate to preserve object

Thanks to:Thanks to:

Hugh Phibbs, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. American Institute for Conservation of

Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) www.aic.stanford.edu Picture Framing Magazine

www.pictureframingmagazine.com Australian Museums and Galleries Online www.amol.org.au Nielsen Bainbridge www.nbframing.com Cyro Industries www.tru-vue.com Northeast Document Conservation Center FrameTek Solutions