Poster flattening question

offhegoes32

Bit of a weird question here. I've always flattened posters on a regular wooden kitchen table, but that is a no go now with a toddler eating there:) I'm considering buying a cheap card table to use in a different room. I haven't had one of those in forever, but from what I remember the surface is obviously softer and not as sturdy. So I'm wondering if anyone knows if using that type of table will cause any type of wrinkling/damaging while flattening, or is it safe and others use that type of table?
Thanks

lotsalemon

I would just use 2 sheets of foam core, with the acid-free paper that comes w the posters sandwiching the posters while it flattens.

Cheaper than a card table, unless you're gonna play cards on it between flattenings

PG261808

I use (2) 2'x4' pieces of 5/8" particleboard from Lowes or HD for about $6 each and sandwich the poster between them. I lay it on the floor of my office and It only takes a day or two to flatten them. I also put paper between the wood and poster.

HesCalledDyer

I use a tri-fold presentation board (like what you see at a science fair, they're like $9 at Walmart) with acid-free glassine sheets sandwiching the poster(s). Something on top to weigh it down and under the bed it goes for a couple weeks.

buck502000

Turn off the lights and close the door

buck502000

For about a week

EdsonNascimento

buck502000 said:

Turn off the lights and close the door

Ha, ha, ha. Yep. I think we're overcomplicating things. If you can find craft paper, but that under and on top to avoid dust, but otherwise, simple is better.

shetellsherself

buck502000 said:

Turn off the lights and close the door

Simple yes but there is absolutely no safe place in my house to leave them exposed for more than 5 min. (3 kids). I use the trifold presentation board like HesCalledDyer with craft paper between the posters.

offhegoes32

shetellsherself said:

buck502000 said:

Turn off the lights and close the door

Simple yes but there is absolutely no safe place in my house to leave them exposed for more than 5 min. (3 kids). I use the trifold presentation board like HesCalledDyer with craft paper between the posters.

Thanks all for the advice. I'm in the exact same situation with no safe space. I think I'll try the particle board idea. I guess the only safe space I can think of is putting that underneath my portfolio while flattening, which has just been moved under the baby's crib for now, just barely fits.

Brane_of_JFK

I use a 36x24x12 Bully Box - http://www.hollingermetaledge.com/modules/store/index.html?dept=1&cat=1348

It's typically large enough to fit 90%+ of my prints. I put either craft paper or tissue paper in between prints and use magazines or books to hold down the edges. Depending on how long a poster has been in a tube, it can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to flatten out to the desired flatness for framing or archiving.

djdkane5

I have a question, on where I can get plastic sheets to protect my posters while stored in my portfolio. I have seen small ones but being as most of my PJ art are in irregular sizes I need bigger sleeves? Any suggestions?

Thanks as always

buck502000

I also put them under a bed sometimes like pictured above. My daughter is 10 and my dog is gone :(

Dr. Delight

Lay it down on a carpet and just stop, drop and roll all over it.

PJ_Soul

I got a zip-up portfolio and lined it with foam core, with acid free paper between each poster. Sandwich it and zip the thing up and stick it in a closet for a few weeks (actually indefinitely for me, since I can't afford to frame them, lol).
But you should let the poster relax by itself for at least a few days first, without sandwiching. Just take it out of the tube and leave it out somewhere (the kids can't get it) so it can relax out of the tight role before flattening. Otherwise you could get rippling.

ldent42

I've got the stupidest poster flattening set up ever. There is literally nowhere in my house that my cat can't get to. I have a folding computer desk that I shoved in a corner, flattening prints on it, Reams of paper, some smallish decorative wood shelves with the wood deco bractets attacked sitting on top pointing up, and tiny 3lb weights on top of that. then there's a bunch of random stuff around the edges of the table so that there's no immediate flat surface to land on. The goal was to make the surface uneven so he wouldn't try to go lay down there. At first he still tried to walk on it so I kept putting things on the edge to block him from jumping up. Is it an untidy mess and an eyesore? Yes. But it works!

Personally I'd go the card table route. Or the plastic folding tables used for things like BBQs and beer pong. It's not like that thing wouldn't get put to use over time.

IgotshitID

I put it on the floor and put pillows on top of it haha