Home >> Hobbies >> Photography

How to Flatten a Circular Photo

A photograph develops crease lines that appear permanent if it is folded. It can also curl with age if it is not stored properly. Attempts to flatten a curled or creased photograph without adequate preparation can crack the photo paper and ruin the image. There are several techniques you can use to flatten a picture without causing damage. These techniques are effective for photographs of all sizes and shapes, including circular photos.

Things You'll Need

Flat tray
Water
Fiberglass screen material
Heavy objects for weights
Plastic film
Blotter paper
Small container
Larger container
Spray bottle or sponge
Dry mount press
Release paper

Instructions

Flatten a Photo with Moisture
- 1
  Fill a flat tray with warm water. Cover it with a piece of fiberglass screen material stretched across the top. Place weights on each overlapping end of the screening material to keep it in place.
- 2
  Place the photograph on top of the fiberglass material. Stretch a sheet of plastic film over it to contain the moisture. Weigh the ends of the film to keep it in place. Leave the photo to absorb moisture until it is soft and limp.
- 3
  Place the photograph face down between two sheets of blotter paper. Place a heavy object on top to keep the photograph flat. Leave the photo to dry completely.
- 4
  Soften the circular photo in a vertical position if it is tightly rolled. Place the picture in a container and place the container in a bigger jar containing four inches of warm water. Seal the bigger jar with a lid. Leave the picture to absorb water for the next two days. Take the picture out when it is soft. Dry it using the process in step 3.
Press a Photo Flat
- 5
  Place a drop of water on one corner of the back of the photo. If the back does not stain, continue with the following steps for the wet press process. The process is best for photographs that are not deteriorating.
- 6
  Mist the back of the photo until it is lightly damp or rub it with a damp sponge.
- 7
  Place the photograph between two sheets of blotter paper. Place a heavy object on top to flatten the picture.
- 8
  Leave the picture to dry. Replace the blotter sheets with dry ones when they are damp.
- 9
  Press the circular picture with heat if you have access to a dry mount press. Create a stack of protective papers for the picture in the following order, from bottom to top: release paper, blotter, picture and release paper. Place the stack in a dry press pre-heated up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Close the press and leave it locked for one minute. Take the picture out of the press and let it cool under the weight of a heavy object.

Photography