Does linen-backing normally have a slighty "lumpy" appearance?

[Chop-Top]

I had 4 posters linen-backed a few years back and just noticed that the surface of the posters are somewhat lumpy. Nothing really crazy, just a slight lumpy texture to the poster. Is this normal or is a linen-backed poster supposed to be perfectly flat and smooth? Thanks.

[holiday]

I had 4 posters linen-backed a few years back and just noticed that the surface of the posters are somewhat lumpy. Nothing really crazy, just a slight lumpy texture to the poster. Is this normal or is a linen-backed poster supposed to be perfectly flat and smooth? Thanks.

Lumps in the oatmeal aren't good, and they sure aren't good on the posters either!  The few posters I have that are backed are perfectly flat and smooth on the surface, even to the extent of eliminating fold lines.  There's no excuse of which I'm aware for lumps.  Hopefully one of the members with backing experience will help clarify what's going on.  Likely, I would think the poster needs to be re-backed.

Holiday

[Chop-Top]

I had them done by Funny Face Productions for $55 each in 2003.

[MoviePosterBid.com]

Holiday..  I don't think you understand what he's asking exactly, in part because he isn't dexcribing what he's talking about I think..

what I believe he means:
he means the surface of the poster is like a canvas texture

some linenbackers use a very thin rice paper so that the texture of the mounting linen is actually felt & seen at the surface as if it was a painting.. It's fairly common, and I have some done that way, although it is not my preference. There's nothing wrong with it of course and whatever linenbacker does it can just as easily not if he/she is asked otherwise of course.

[Chop-Top]

Holiday..  I don't think you understand what he's asking exactly, in part because he isn't dexcribing what he's talking about I think..

what I believe he means:
he means the surface of the poster is like a canvas texture

some linenbackers use a very thin rice paper so that the texture of the mounting linen is actually felt & seen at the surface as if it was a painting.. It's fairly common, and I have some done that way, although it is not my preference. There's nothing wrong with it of course and whatever linenbacker does it can just as easily not if he/she is asked otherwise of course.

It could very well be due to the canvas texture, but there are still areas that I call lumpy or raised areas that are different than the rest of the poster. I'll try to take a good picture of it later.

[wonka]

Good points, Rich.

Looking forward to seeing your pics when you get a chance to post them, Chop-Top.

[holiday]

Holiday..  I don't think you understand what he's asking exactly, in part because he isn't dexcribing what he's talking about I think..

what I believe he means:
he means the surface of the poster is like a canvas texture

some linenbackers use a very thin rice paper so that the texture of the mounting linen is actually felt & seen at the surface as if it was a painting.. It's fairly common, and I have some done that way, although it is not my preference. There's nothing wrong with it of course and whatever linenbacker does it can just as easily not if he/she is asked otherwise of course.

That I understand.  I did take it to mean that there were lumps, like bubbles.  If it's what you describe, that makes sense.

[erik1925]

It could very well be due to the canvas texture, but there are still areas that I call lumpy or raised areas that are different than the rest of the poster. I'll try to take a good picture of it later.

Did you ever get around to taking a picture of the lumpy or raised texture areas on your linen backed posters?   :-\

Jeff

[50s]

You can get lumps on poster which are very flat bubbles, like, just slightly raised. These you might not notice when backed but sometime later. This is just where the poster didnt attach to the rice paper ie no wheat paste applied on that spot or it wasnt smoothed properly. I have seen this resolved by injecting some wheat paste into the raised area using a needle/syringe (done by the restorer).

[erik1925]

Thats true, Steve.. air pockets or bubbles can form (or remain) if the poster wasnt rolled firmly to the backing, while still wet.

[Chop-Top]

I'll try to get some pics posted in a couple days. They aren't really bubbles, but rather a grainy texture underneath the poster. Some places are slightly higher than others. I think it's normal in regards to the backing process.

[erik1925]

I'll try to get some pics posted in a couple days. They aren't really bubbles, but rather a grainy texture underneath the poster. Some places are slightly higher than others. I think it's normal in regards to the backing process.

Great! cant wait to see them.

And let's hope it wasn't thoroughly mixed wheat paste...   :(

[Chop-Top]

Here's a few of the lumpy areas I was talking about:

[MoviePosterBid.com]

Chop.. that's the texture of the linen. I don't care for this myself and prefer linenbackers who use a heavier rice paper medium so that the linen does not show through. Some linenbackers think it adds flavor, but the fact the poster does not otherwise have this detail says to me that it's a bad practice

[paul waines]

I'm no expert, but that looks more like lumps in the glue/paste. The random pattern does not look like the linen, even at the edges where the linen can be clearly seen.

[tstatum]

In the first picture I see 4 or 5 lumps where either the glue balled up or something got in the glue, or so it seems.

[erik1925]

In the first picture I see 4 or 5 lumps where either the glue balled up or something got in the glue, or so it seems.

Looks that way. Almost as if the wheat paste wasnt mixed to a completely smooth consistency..  :-\

[CSM]

Is it an older poster?  

In my experience some of the older paper (being of poor quality) has several inclusions in the paper fibre that could have become more prominent during the backing process?

[Chop-Top]

Is it an older poster?  

In my experience some of the older paper (being of poor quality) has several inclusions in the paper fibre that could have become more prominent during the backing process?

It's a rolled 1982 Conan the Barbarian Advance! I got it backed when I first started collecting because it was my favorite poster at the time, and I wanted to give it the "treatment".  hitself

Does the lumpy backing reduce the value or collectibility, or is just a relatively common side effect of the backing process? I've even considered buying another rolled poster and selling this one, then I think better of it.

[MoviePosterBid.com]

I'm no expert, but that looks more like lumps in the glue/paste. The random pattern does not look like the linen, even at the edges where the linen can be clearly seen.

Paul, while it does look like in 1 or 2 spots there could be excess glue, it could be the linen also. The best linen for posters is that with a nott too fine or not too coarse weave. Some backers use a very coarse linen, and that's really what it looks like it may. The cheaper the linen, the more "plugs" it will have, and those could be plugs (aka improperly weaved & too heavy thread)

[50s]

To narrow down if they might be plugs, check the back of the linen, if there are no plugs visible on that side, then Id think it unusual the plugs would all be on the other side.  The lumps do have a pointy appearance so something looks is under there.

[50s]

Just had my local poster restorer (StudioM in Sydney) view the lumpy image above and he advises it is not on cheap linen, lumps are common and almost impossible to hide and is more noticable on thin glossy paper such as this. Normal viewing distances you should not see it.

[Chop-Top]

Just had my local poster restorer (StudioM in Sydney) view the lumpy image above and he advises it is not on cheap linen, lumps are common and almost impossible to hide and is more noticable on thin glossy paper such as this. Normal viewing distances you should not see it.

So this is normal for a linen-backed poster then. Sweet!

[CSM]

So this is normal for a linen-backed poster then. Sweet!

I hope that isn't sarcasm because other than the lumps it looks like it was backed well!

[Chop-Top]

It was not sarcasm. I've "regretted" being naive and backing the poster. I'm glad I didn't waste my money.