Flattening Prints

Information on shipping, storing and repairing your art, plus your reviews on products for art collecting, making, storing, etc..
deadhead2k
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:46 am

So I'm trying to flatten prints that have been left in tubes for a while. I wanna put them into a folio. I've had books resting on them for a while and the bottom and top still won't get flat. I discovered a product called the de-roller (http://aztek.com/Deroller.html). This got me to thinking about a cheaper solution to do the same thing. I'm thinking about going to ikea and buying a roller blind (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/produ ... #/30221279). Does anybody have any input on this? I would never try to reverse roll by hand but I kinda feel safer doing this. Am I crazy for considering this?
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Timbrh2001
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:48 am

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soam24
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:50 am

deadhead2k wrote:So I'm trying to flatten prints that have been left in tubes for a while. I wanna put them into a folio. I've had books resting on them for a while and the bottom and top still won't get flat. I discovered a product called the de-roller (http://aztek.com/Deroller.html). This got me to thinking about a cheaper solution to do the same thing. I'm thinking about going to ikea and buying a roller blind (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/produ ... #/30221279). Does anybody have any input on this? I would never try to reverse roll by hand but I kinda feel safer doing this. Am I crazy for considering this?

very interesting. if you do decide to do this. let me know how it goes as it's def. interesting.
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deadhead2k
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Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 2:00 am

Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:58 am

So I'm trying to flatten prints that have been left in tubes for a while. I wanna put them into a folio. I've had books resting on them for a while and the bottom and top still won't get flat. I discovered a product called the de-roller (http://aztek.com/Deroller.html). This got me to thinking about a cheaper solution to do the same thing. I'm thinking about going to ikea and buying a roller blind (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/produ ... #/30221279). Does anybody have any input on this? I would never try to reverse roll by hand but I kinda feel safer doing this. Am I crazy for considering this?
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PLUSH
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:09 pm

I have seen one of those rollers in action (50' version). Did exactly what is was supposed to do. Once thing that your cheap version won't have is weight. The real deal was very heavy (a solid metal bar) and I think that may be key?
deadhead2k
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:16 pm

I was under the impression that the even opposite roll was the key, not the weight of the bar. I could be wrong. I did read about people making homemade de-rollers from poster tubes and craft paper. I felt like the blind might be a better solution?
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Petro
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:19 pm

deadhead2k wrote:So I'm trying to flatten prints that have been left in tubes for a while. I wanna put them into a folio. I've had books resting on them for a while and the bottom and top still won't get flat. I discovered a product called the de-roller (http://aztek.com/Deroller.html). This got me to thinking about a cheaper solution to do the same thing. I'm thinking about going to ikea and buying a roller blind (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/produ ... #/30221279). Does anybody have any input on this? I would never try to reverse roll by hand but I kinda feel safer doing this. Am I crazy for considering this?
Very cool idea. Would be amazing if it worked. I say give it a try and report back. If it doesn't work, you're only down $20.
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JustLemieuxIt
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:20 pm

Definitely would like to know if this works.
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summoner
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:25 pm

I could see the IKEA roller blind working ok, but I would think you would want it mounted to a table or something to keep it safe as it was rolling back up. Personally I dont have that kind of dedicated space that I could have something setup for it.
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lsmith55
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:30 pm

Damn- thats' awesome. Thanks for sharing. Might get more traction if you move it to the Art Care forum, but this seems like a smart idea. I would be cautious making your own from an IKEA roller blind- might not be acid-free (if you care about that sort of thing).

Best of luck!
deadhead2k
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:36 pm

Do you think the acid free matters when it's only touching it for a very short time? I suppose I could I could surround the print in acid free paper so it never touches the actual blind?
deadhead2k
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:38 pm

JustLemieuxIt wrote:Definitely would like to know if this works.

Me too! I'm kinda afraid to try without a bit more input.
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guerilladubber
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:38 pm

The D-Roller... Solving your 'mint condition in the tube' problems since 1980.
pay via paypal, use credit card,file dispute at the 20 day mark if suspicious. don't deal with noobs. don't trade with noobs. request feedback ahead of time. there are lots of good people 'round here.
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lsmith55
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:39 pm

deadhead2k wrote:Do you think the acid free matters when it's only touching it for a very short time? I suppose I could I could surround the print in acid free paper so it never touches the actual blind?
Maybe not- I am far from an art care expert, but I know that when in doubt- acid free is the way to go. I don't think it would cause any issues, but I'm sure its still not good for it. Perhaps you could put tissue paper between the roller and the art?

Sorry, someone else might have more info than me...
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lsmith55
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:40 pm

guerilladubber wrote:The D-Roller... Solving your 'mint condition in the tube' problems since 1980.
:clap: They should hire the Sham-wow guy.
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