Linen Backing

Linen-backing is a traditional conservation technique used to stabilize, preserve, and restore vintage paper. During the process, a poster is carefully cleaned, adhered to a layer of Japan paper, and then mounted to a lightweight, rollable canvas backing. Wheat-starch-based adhesives are used throughout the process. When appropriate, gentle conservation treatments may be used to improve uneven paper tone, while issues such as paper loss, fold separation, tears, and other damage can be repaired and discreetly retouched using reversible, water-soluble pigments.

Whether a poster should be linen-backed depends largely on its format and condition. We generally recommend linen-backing for two primary reasons. The first is to join posters originally printed in multiple sections, such as Italian quattro foglio and Japanese STB formats, creating a single, stable presentation. The second is to reinforce posters with significant condition issues that may otherwise be vulnerable to further deterioration through handling.

We also offer paper-backing, a related restoration technique that produces a firmer, more rigid result. Because the process involves carefully reducing layers of the poster's original paper before mounting the remaining surface layer to acid-free paper stock, we consider it somewhat more invasive than linen-backing. Unlike linen-backed posters, paper-backed works cannot be rolled.

Linen-backing typically requires approximately 5-6 weeks. Pricing generally begins at $300 for smaller posters and varies according to size, condition, and the extent of restoration required. For a detailed estimate, please contact us with photographs and dimensions of your poster.