Paper-backing a Ground Zero Aerial Photo Images

Test Mounting with Klucel-G on 52gsm Mulberry Paper.

There are very few projects I wont take, and this is one that was in alignment with some areas I am working on building my expertise in. Linen-backing and Paper-backing posters and prints.

I have been in my research phase for the last 4+ months and have just completed pretty much the tooling phase and completed my first linen-backed poster. More about that later…but this is more focused on the current project I am undergoing.

A regular customer said they had some high altitude aerial images from ground zero in Manhattan, NY taken on October 2001 after then September 11 attacks (originally though satellite images, but thinking more likely just high altitude images). They don't want them framed, but feel the paper is fragile especially with frequent unrolling and rolling, and want to add more structure to it. I recommended we paper-back the prints with a Mulberry paper. Since these prints are (or lets say I am making the conservative assumption) that they are water soluble, I have decided that a Klucel-G adhesive with a 26-gsm mulberry paper will be the direction I take. I took a photo of a few sections and printed out on a normal inkjet printer and will use those for the tests initially. The 36”x36” printouts are very close to 20lb paper.

After doing some more research, I tried 3 different methods of applying the Klucel-G and ended up going for the direct approach (the initial test used 52gsm mulberry (from TalasOnline.com), but final will be done with 26gsm). This process was generally straight forward applying the Klucel-G on the smooth side of the mulberry sheet, then placing on the back of the printout (which was sitting on a sheet of Mylar). I then placed some Hollytex over the back of the mulberry and lightly brayed it and then weighted it for a few hours. After that, I went along the edged on the back and put an additional generous coat of Klucel-G and again brayed the edges and weighted.

Testing Water Solubility

Wheat paste was out as well as any wet-based mounting method. I considered Beva-371 but did not feel comfortable putting this under heat. Having worked a good bit with Klucel-G and researching its application backing water-soluble items, it forged on in this direction. I did review Chris Paschke’s Mounting and Laminating Handbook as well (a great book btw, but opted to take a different route).

The outcome was excellent with very good adhesion and no distortion or concerns on the presentation side of the printout. I wont be posting entire satellite photo here, but here are a few snippets….awe-worth.

Before I do any work, I am going to get one of my photographer friends/family to take a high quality photo (with permission from customer) for worst case situations, but also to allow them to show a copy and not continually unroll the original.

Now...is this the right way to go? I am still undecided. One of the linen-backing guys that helps me with some direction said I should still check on wheat paste, so may do a test with that, but skeptical as the paper is thin, appears to have no sizing on it, and will absorb water quickly...and if it gets to the ink, its toast. The other option I am also seriously considering is to not back this at all and have a quality photo taken and then have it printed out. This retains poster in original state, provides a vehicle to present the contents in high quality viewing and you can always get additional copies made.

The last picture is my first linen-backed poster (no value, purely for process verification) - more on this in a future blog post. It was a wet cleaning, deacification, wheat paste adhesive with masa on 12oz duck canvas, etc. etc.

My First Linen-backed Poster