Featured Removing scratches on Ukiyo-e woodblock print

Thank you I’m not a big fan of Edo Ukiyo-e tho, actually prefer art from end of Edo&Meiji, but this is a perfect print to be displayed with my comb collection

 

The seller also has this one for sale, but imo not as charming as the one I bought, which has an antique touch( almost an antique indeed!) and is closer to the original

 

Heat and a press are the professional way to do it and generally not harmful to most works (stuff made of plastics or with applied acrylic, gilt, etc can't go in a press). Heat relaxes paper fibers just like it does for clothing fibers.

Two ways to do it professionally. A preservationist will have a heat table that warms the work from beneath, while they "seal" the surface under a light plastic sheet with the air vacuumed out. That's usually for paintings.

A framer will have a dry mount press. It heats up and there's a press lid. It's used to dry mount things to other surfaces, but also just to flatten art out. It has a tiny iron attached for small touches. I've had so, so, SO many personal pieces that I've sent to be pressed with my husband. They always come back looking perfect. I see no reason a woodblock print wouldn't be fine in a dry mount press.

If you're concerned, you can try just placing a sheet of tissue or paper on top and then laying down a heavy book for some time. You can also iron paper on low heat if it doesn't work and you feel adventurous...

Definitely no water without professional supervision lol. When that's used by professionals it tends to be full body immersion for foxing and acid burn.

 

Thank you for detailed instructions! I will try heating if pushing from back doesn’t work good enough. I will also look for other videos on how to safely do this at home was just trying to iron my broken tortoiseshell hairstick yesterday lol but no luck, hope the paper will do better!

 

I've had so, so, SO many personal pieces that I've sent to be pressed with my husband.

I could......................................... but I won't ! .... ...........

 

Of course you needed this "Japanese Beauty with Blonde Tortoiseshell Comb" to go with your collection!

I have done both with good results, but never with ukiyo-e prints. That said, I would think the result is faster with ukiyo-e, because of the 'fluffy' consistency of the mulberry paper.

In this case I would clean the indentation with a very soft brush first. There are make-up brushes with velvety-soft tops to the hairs, that is something I would try.

Very worrying.

 

Thank you I promise I will be careful as I have damaged so many things when trying to fix small imperfections I’ll try at the corner first to see how this type of paper react to heat & if there’s any changes in colour.

And it’s a surprisingly big copy and I can display all my combs over it! I also have a spare frame of exact size…

 

I have a Japanese print that has several odd creases in it. I tried lots of things but didn't have great results. Using a warm iron on the reverse side helped a little bit, but the creases can still be seen.
I have it hanging in a dimly lit area anyway, so it's not that noticable.

 

Even a bit help is help so I will try and see!

 

Good luck! Please let us know what happens.
It is a gorgeous print, regardless!

 

I will! Will post a picture of it with my combs too!

 

As you said… heat only did a bit help lol, guess the edge is too sharp and fibers already broken. Also a few tiny pieces at the blank margin fell off. But it’s not too noticeable on the wall, and considering the price… still a nice one!

 

Looks better than it did.

 

can we have a pic without the comb please mrs

think its gonna be better than even you think

if you don't want to, totally understood as well

 

Sure just not as presentable as it’s dark now and she’s currently held in a crudely cut paper frame made by myself

 

thanks shammie, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, but now we can see it there might be a way to better it somehow

 

acid free paper frame....... right ?

 

That was said on the package, so yes I guess

Those are bought like ten years ago but still look new

 

In that case they probably are.