How to Flatten LuxArchival® Sanded Art Paper Cut from a Roll
LuxArchival® Sanded Art Paper purchased in a roll will naturally retain some curl after a piece is cut from the roll. Flattening it is simple.
LuxArchival is made on a 100% cotton paper base. The uncoated back of the paper is highly absorbent, while the coated sanded working surface is nonabsorbent. Lightly moistening the cotton backing and allowing the sheet to dry under even pressure will flatten the cut piece.
What You Need
- Clean distilled water
- A clean spray bottle
- A clean, flat work surface
- A clean flat board or other surface for applying even pressure
- Suitable evenly distributed weight
- Clean hands
1. Place the Sheet Sanded Side Down
Place the cut piece of LuxArchival on a clean surface with the sanded working surface facing down and the uncoated cotton back facing up.
Make sure your hands, work surface, and anything that will touch the paper are clean.
2. Mist the Back With Distilled Water
Evenly mist the uncoated back of the paper with clean distilled water.
There is no need to wet the sanded working surface. The purpose of the moisture is to allow the absorbent cotton backing to relax.
3. Place the Sheet Under Even Pressure
Place the dampened sheet beneath a clean, flat pressing surface and apply evenly distributed weight.
Keep the entire sheet supported and under even pressure while it dries.
4. Allow the Paper to Dry Completely
Leave the sheet under pressure until the cotton backing is completely dry.
The paper will dry flat and will then be ready to use as an unmounted working surface or to mount onto a rigid support.
Keep the Surface Clean
LuxArchival is a professional white art surface, so cleanliness matters during flattening, cutting, mounting, storage, and use.
Avoid dirty work surfaces, dusty boards, oily hands, or anything that could transfer marks, debris, or residue to the paper.
The same attention to cleanliness is part of how LuxArchival itself is produced. Maintaining a genuinely clean environment during industrial paper coating and production is difficult, particularly when producing a pristine white fine-art surface.
Every sheet of LuxArchival is individually inspected for defects and soiling before it is accepted for sale. That attention to cleanliness and quality control is part of what makes the surface unusual and valuable.
Once the paper reaches your studio, keeping it clean and protected helps preserve that quality until you are ready to use it.
Why This Works
The backing of LuxArchival is 100% cotton paper and readily absorbs moisture. Moistening the back allows the cotton fibers to relax while the sheet is held flat.
The coated sanded working surface is nonabsorbent, so the flattening process works through the cotton backing rather than through the working surface.
Working From a Roll
There is no need to flatten the entire roll.
Cut the size you need, flatten that individual piece, allow it to dry completely, and then use or mount it as required for your project.