Need Help Storing Original Art 3 3

[BCoffee]

Hello,

Quick question to my fellow OA collectors. 

I have some art framed and hung on my wall, some of my art I have in a nice portfolio, where you slip the sheets in. 

I have recently gotten some DC art from the late 80's, that is 3/8 or so wider than all of my other pages. I would like to get a portfolio that is wider in order to fit all of my pages.

Does anyone have a product they like that would work? Any specific links would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I added some pics showing what I have. How nicely most pages fit, as well as a close-up, showing how these pages I just got are around 3/8" wider than my other pages.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2019 by BCoffee

[BCarter27]

Have a look at the 13x19 Itoya portfolios-

https://smile.amazon.com/Portfolio-inches-Storage-Display-Sleeves/dp/B0016ML7YE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=13x19+itoya+portfolio&qid=1577204465&sr=8-1

[BCoffee]

30 minutes ago, BCarter27 said:

Have a look at the 13x19 Itoya portfolios-

https://smile.amazon.com/Portfolio-inches-Storage-Display-Sleeves/dp/B0016ML7YE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=13x19+itoya+portfolio&qid=1577204465&sr=8-1

This is perfect, thanks!!

[Rick2you2]

For additional protection, you can also put them in top loaders (Mylar) and put the top loaders in a slightly larger Itoya. 

[dichotomy]

The world of hurt that is the first piece of OA that one gets that is not standard. I just discovered screw-post binders and I found some great archival page protectors, but there are a lot of pages that just don't fit, particularly from the UK because of the damn metric system.

[Varanis]

I started with an 11x17 and 13x19 Itoya, but was uncomfortable with how tight the pieces fit and how easily they slid out. It was also difficult to fit oddly sized pieces. Now I store everything in 12.5x18.5 Mylars and matching archival boards. It’s more expensive and doesn’t have the convenience of a portfolio, but it seems to be way better protection and is still very easy to look at the art. Definitely not the answer for everyone, but it’s been great for me. 
 

Here’s a link to the Mylars I got:

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/3142/polyester-mylar-sleeve-br12-12-x-18-12-nbspfont-colorred4-milfont-no-flapbr

[Peter L]

4 hours ago, Varanis said:

I started with an 11x17 and 13x19 Itoya, but was uncomfortable with how tight the pieces fit and how easily they slid out. It was also difficult to fit oddly sized pieces. Now I store everything in 12.5x18.5 Mylars and matching archival boards. It’s more expensive and doesn’t have the convenience of a portfolio, but it seems to be way better protection and is still very easy to look at the art. Definitely not the answer for everyone, but it’s been great for me. 
 

Here’s a link to the Mylars I got:

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/3142/polyester-mylar-sleeve-br12-12-x-18-12-nbspfont-colorred4-milfont-no-flapbr

I do something similar, and then put them in the archival boxes.  

[timguerrero]

16 hours ago, dichotomy said:

The world of hurt that is the first piece of OA that one gets that is not standard. I just discovered screw-post binders and I found some great archival page protectors, but there are a lot of pages that just don't fit, particularly from the UK because of the damn metric system.

what are the archival page protectors you found?

[dichotomy]

1 hour ago, timguerrero said:

what are the archival page protectors you found?

 

[dichotomy]

6 hours ago, Taylor G said:

Polypropylene is not archival.

Not great for photos. Ok for line art. The itoyas also use Polypropylene.

Edited December 25, 2019 by dichotomy

[Rick2you2]

2 hours ago, dichotomy said:

Not great for photos. Ok for line art. The itoyas also use Polypropylene.

Mixed views on the subject. Mylar is archival; polypropylene, like used in Itoyas is not. But if you keep them generally in dark, reasonably cool places, I don’t think it will matter for decades. I have some art which was not stored in Mylar, but kept in regular plastic frames. The images are fine, but on some, the paper shows slight browning after 30 years. Others don’t. Same with old comics.

[exitmusicblue]

3 hours ago, dichotomy said:

Not great for photos. Ok for line art. The itoyas also use Polypropylene.

That's why we place art in mylars, then slide them into the Itoyas.

At least I do for the stuff that isn't junk or prints (got very few of either).

[BCoffee]

On 12/24/2019 at 11:34 AM, Rick2you2 said:

For additional protection, you can also put them in top loaders (Mylar) and put the top loaders in a slightly larger Itoya. 

Do you have a link for mylars that would fit original art that is 11x17, and slightly oversized? I like the idea of using the itoya, but having the art inside of mylars first.

[BCarter27]

23 hours ago, BCoffee said:

Do you have a link for mylars that would fit original art that is 11x17, and slightly oversized? I like the idea of using the itoya, but having the art inside of mylars first.

Storage

I get these 12x18 mylars-

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/3142/polyester-mylar-sleeve-br12-12-x-18-12-nbspfont-colorred4-milfont-no-flapbr

for the 13x19 Itoya portfolios-

https://smile.amazon.com/Portfolio-inches-Storage-Display-Sleeves/dp/B0016ML7YE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=13x19+itoya+portfolio&qid=1577204465&sr=8-1

 

Then, you can place a Microchamber tissue in the mylar behind the art to trap off-gassing-

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/6192/archival-bmicrochamber-paperbbr-11-x-17-x-0025-thickbrremoves-acids-and-odors-in-paper-brarchival-acid-free-font-colorredindefinite-storagefont

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_15/section15_03.htm

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_15/section15_04.htm

 

If you want backing boards to go inside the mylar-

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/4364/conservation-grade-backings-for-tabloids-artwork-brb12-14-x-18-14b-040-thickbracid-free-lignin-free-buffered-all-white

Or outside the mylar-

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/6611/backings-for-original-artdigital-photo-brb13-x-19b-040-thick-alpha-cellulose-boardbracid-free-lignin-free-buffered-font-colorredindefinite-storagefont

 

And here are storage boxes, if you prefer to go that route instead of portfolios-

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_2/section2_13.htm

 

More discussion threads about storage supplies and methods-

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=900&ei=xvkEXv63Cu6W_Qa0_Y-YBA&q=site%3Acgccomics.com+art+storage&oq=site%3Acgccomics.com+art+storage&gs_l=psy-ab.3...734.734..1402...0.0..0.270.706.0j1j2......0....1..gws-wiz.x2PGXTs8yEw&ved=0ahUKEwj-soDi9tPmAhVuS98KHbT-A0MQ4dUDCAo&uact=5

 

Oversized

And my method for storing DPS and other oversized pieces vertically here-

 

Again, you can go the clamshell box option to store them flat-

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_2/section2_13.htm

 

Some folks with large oversized collections spring for large metal flat file cabinets for their posters and paintings.

A few people have had custom wood cabinets made. I would caution against anything stained and enclosed. The off-gassing from the stain will continue for years. I tanned a whole book collection this way. It was sad. And those were open shelves. A closed cabinet would be even worse. If you must however, the clamshell Microchamber boxes would be the only way I would consider this.

Remember, you are only the art's custodian for awhile!

 

Shipping

Here are art mailers-

https://airfloatsystems.com/printpad

And you can put the art/mylar/backing bundle into a 13x19 polybag to keep the water out during shipping-

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/product/3785/13-x-19-original-art-print-sleevebr13-14-x-19-14-15-mil-font-color34cb56polypropylenefontbr1-12font-colorred-resealablefont-flap

 

 

@Architecht @denaCan we get this pinned as a storage supplies thread? We get a lot of these questions and it would be good to separate them out from the overly long Newb thread. Thanks!

@BCoffeeIf they pin this, can you edit your post title to "Original Art Storage and Preservation Supplies"? Thanks!

Edited December 27, 2019 by BCarter27

[Rick2you2]

The problem I have with Mylar toploaders is larger off sizes, or smaller sizes when I don’t need a lot of them. E Gerber will take orders on the phone for lots of sizes, if you buy a minimum of 10, sometimes 50. Anyone know where I can buy smaller numbers on line?

For really large pieces, I am thinking of buying two mylars of slightly larger than half the relevant size, removing the sealed seam  on one of them, and then fastening the two halves of the one I cut to the uncut one, maybe joining them with an epoxy or tape. Anyone tried something like that before? Did it work?

[delekkerste]

Like others here, 13 x 19" Itoyas are my standby.  For the more valuable pieces, I'll slide them into mylars w/backing boards and then place them into the Itoyas.  Though, this tends to make the portfolios too thick if you have a lot of such pieces.  

[vodou]

3 hours ago, BCarter27 said:

Storage

I get these 12x18 mylars...

You also go by Alex?

[dichotomy]

Lots of food for thought. Has anyone ever seen something like this in mylar?

[dichotomy]

5 hours ago, Rick2you2 said:

The problem I have with Mylar toploaders is larger off sizes, or smaller sizes when I don’t need a lot of them. E Gerber will take orders on the phone for lots of sizes, if you buy a minimum of 10, sometimes 50. Anyone know where I can buy smaller numbers on line?

For really large pieces, I am thinking of buying two mylars of slightly larger than half the relevant size, removing the sealed seam  on one of them, and then fastening the two halves of the one I cut to the uncut one, maybe joining them with an epoxy or tape. Anyone tried something like that before? Did it work?

or even creating custom sizes using mylar sheets and a hot sealing tool like a soldering iron? 4 mil might be too thick but might work with 2 mil. And would need to make sure that heating the mylar like that isn't toxic in some way. 

[BCarter27]

20 hours ago, Rick2you2 said:

For really large pieces, I am thinking of buying two mylars of slightly larger than half the relevant size, removing the sealed seam  on one of them, and then fastening the two halves of the one I cut to the uncut one, maybe joining them with an epoxy or tape. Anyone tried something like that before? Did it work?

I wouldn't try it. If you really need something that large, your best bet is to buy a roll of Dura-Lar and cut a piece to size-

https://www.dickblick.com/products/grafix-wrap-dura-lar-rolls/

But they make mylar sleeves and L-sleeves up to poster sizes-

https://www.bagsunlimited.com/category/214/poster-sleeves-backings-polyester-mylar

Also, if you call Bags Unlimited, I bet they could put together a "sample pack" if you just need onesies or twosies of a few oddball sizes. Or hit up one of the supply dealers at the next NYCC/SDCC. Ask them to bring a few pieces of the sizes you need and pickup at the show.

 

For very large non-paper paintings on board or canvas, you are probably better off cutting a mat spacer out of archival foamcore and storing in a gallery box. I wouldn't use mylar in those cases.

 

15 hours ago, dichotomy said:

Has anyone ever seen something like this in mylar?

I think we all have our dollar cutoff, but anything under about $1500, I just put in the portfolio directly to save space.

17 hours ago, vodou said:

You also go by Alex?

He's my spirit animal.

Edited December 27, 2019 by BCarter27