Whether a poster is historic or contemporary, our ICON accredited paper conservator is able to provide professional treatments to safely stabilise posters following everything from accidental staining, contamination or mould growth, through to the most devastating tears, creasing and visual distortions. 

Our ICON accredited paper conservator is able to professionally restore issues such as:

• Mould growth and moisture disturbances
• Foxing, staining and discolouration
• Tears and creasing
• Water damage
• Fire and smoke damage
• Acidic mount and frame deterioration
• Damages following a household disaster or accident

Environmental damages

Original posters from cinemas and theatres may have faced challenging environments, leaving them with historic contamination lingering on the surface and damages from the use of adhesives or pins.

Modern posters or those intended only to be displayed as artwork may still face deterioration if they are not kept in appropriate conditions, including the correct humidity, frame and level of light exposure.

Signed posters

Our team is experienced with the preservation of autograph ink and inscriptions, ensuring that these are not removed or disturbed during conservation treatments. Whilst signatures cannot be retouched for ethical reasons, they can be protected from further deterioration with sensitive methods and high-quality framing.

Protective framing

Many frames harbour acidic elements within the mount, backing board or surrounding materials. This will slowly contaminate the poster leading it to darken, yellow and begin to deteriorate.

Our paper conservator often works on posters and prints which have been disturbed in this way, safely clearing any contamination before they can be reframed in a safer option.

We use conservation-appropriate framing materials, ensuring that all materials have neutral pH levels. Our technicians avoid the use of any acidic elements when creating a bespoke mount for your poster.

The original frame can be kept with only the mount and backing board replaced, or an entirely new frame can be selected to suit the artwork or your own preference. 

Our team will provide you with a portfolio of frames, allowing you to view your poster in a range of suitable options before deciding to go ahead.

UV protection

UV protective glass is extremely important when caring for posters, as they are extremely sensitive to UV rays from the sun and bright lighting. UV exposure can lead to extreme loss of colour, leaving a faded or extremely uneven visual appearance. UV protection will help to preserve the vividity and value of a poster in the future. 

Our technicians offer UV protective glazing for new or existing frames. Museum view glass helps to prevent fading whilst allowing for a wonderfully clear view of the print.