Glassine Paper for Safe Storage of Artwork

Glassine Paper for Safe Storage of Artwork

Art Lessons, Knowledge Corner

Knowledge Corner Tip

I want to pass on some information about Glassine Paper, which tends to fly under the radar as far as trendy products. It is a product I have found to ensure the protection of Art work which I have learned being in this industry for so long.  Both Artist’s and Collector’s should familiarize themselves with the best handling of their Art; there is nothing worse than to see damage to something you cherish.  Items can also be damaged during storage, as elements such as humidity and moisture create havoc on Art pieces.  

What is Glassine?

Glassine is a translucent, smooth and glossy paper, “without tooth”.  A paper’s “tooth” describes the surface feel of paper.  In general, the more tooth a paper has, the rougher it feels.  Glassine is air, grease, and water resistant.  Art quality glassine is pH neutral (i.e. acid free).  Because Glassine has no tooth, it will not abrade delicate drawings.  It is the best paper for protecting delicate Artworks such as acrylics, pastels and charcoal sketches.  For more information, you can check out Wikipedia by clicking here.

Glassine is Eco-Friendly

Glassine paper is taken a step further in the manufacturing process than most paper.  It is run through an extra layer of processing called calendering, in which the paper fibers all flatten facing the same direction.  Glassine paper is environmentally-friendly, it is 100% recyclable, 100% biodegradable – and it starts from 100% sustainably managed forests.  Glassine envelopes are popular with hobbyists and crafters alike.  The transparency of the envelopes mean that they are excellent for storage and for wrapping and selling items.

Is Glassine a Best-Kept Secret?

I went to the local art store and I was surprised to find that not only did they not stock glassine paper, but only one of the staff knew of it. When I asked other Artist’s what they used to interleave between their drawings and/or painting, most replied tissue.  I was a bit surprised since tissue paper generally has tooth, which can seriously damage delicate surfaces.  I buy mine through a vendor where I also buy my gold leaf; click here to view item.

In Conclusion

There really is no substitute for glassine in protecting the surface of Artwork during transport or storage.  Consequently, if you are going to use tape during your packaging of Art process, and it needs to make contact with the Artwork itself; make sure you use Artist tape which will not leave any residue. 

  • You must cover the surface of the Artwork with glassine prior to wrapping in any other protective packaging. 
  • Remember that tissue paper and glassine are not the same!

Mabel Vittini Artist, Lake Worth FL

 

 

 

 

 

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” – Will A. Foster
Great Fixes and Home Improvement Solutions

Great Fixes and Home Improvement Solutions

Art Lessons, Faux Finish, Faux Marble, Matching colors, Metallic Finishes, Wood graining

Great Fixes and Home Improvement Solutions

There is a solution for fixing, improving and getting your Home Decor to blend beautifully…it is an Artist.

 

I am drawn to write and share some tricks of the trade.  These are some hidden and underlying things that are going on out there that I find many people do not realize is possible…or even a thing to optimize home decor!  Below I am going to point out some of the little extra’s that Vitti Art Decor & Painting gets called to do, or suggests to our customer’s.

 

Blending in the details of your Home Decor

 

A fair amount of people, whether it is for their business, home or boat (or any other possible surface!) are looking to take the contrast of fixtures and receptacles out of the home decor equation.  I am referring to those bright white recessed light frames (ie: high hats), air conditioning vents, electrical switches and outlet covers. Sometimes it is even a chandelier that stands out like a sore thumb. Now of course, if your ceiling is white, the recessed lights and AC vents are not going to stand out.  However, If you have some color or a faux finish, then those frames are going to stand out harshly.

high hats painted to blend with ceiling color

High hats (recessed lighting) painted to blend with ceiling color

faux receptacle outlet switches to blend with backsplash

Matching the color of existing granite backsplash and painting the electrical outlets to disappear.

faux receptacle outlet switches to blend with backsplash.

Matching the color of existing granite backsplash and painting the electrical outlets to disappear.

Chandelier faux to blend into room color

Faux chandelier in a metallic paint with a color that will blend into the existing room color.

 

Improving the Fine accents and details of your Home Decor

 

Another reason you want to hold your reliable and talented Artist close, is when you want to enhance certain fine elements you may already have installed.  Let’s say you have a marble floor; well an upgrade to the beauty and continuation of this element would be to faux-marble all the baseboards and/or staircase that abut to it.  This continuation completes the room nicely.

faux marble painting of baseboard to match existing marble counter top.

Faux Marbling of baseboard to match existing marble counter top.

 

There is rejuvenated life after damage to your Home

 

Have you ever been in the predicament of water damage, blunt force damage to walls or even just the random touch-up from knicks and scratches?  We are called into many a home that has had some type of damage and required massive replacement or repairs to painted surfaces.  Consequently, after the repair, the client needs us to re-match the existing color paint and re-create the faux or faux-woodgrain to match.  If you are lucky and only have touch-ups throughout, rest assured that we can make those areas disappear like they never happened.

Matching paint to recreate faux

Artist matching the color of existing faux. After water damage, we were called in to match existing faux to repaired walls.

 

 

 In Conclusion

 

I hope this information was interesting and shined some light onto some of the different types of projects that we do.  When you work with such skilled and experienced Artists such as Mabel, you realize that with paint and the ability to match colors by eye and perform outstanding faux finishes; anything that comes up is possible!

 

Michelle Miller, CGC
Operations Manager / Project Coordinator
Vitti Art Decor & Painting
Find us on Facebook @MabelVittiniArt

 

 

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” – Will A. Foster