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The safest way to get wrinkles out of paper depends on its condition and what is on it. Gently smooth a sound, flexible fold by hand; consider controlled humidification followed by drying under weight only for paper in good condition with water-safe media; and leave fragile, valuable, or uncertain items to a paper conservator. None of these methods guarantees an invisible crease.
Choose the method by the paper’s condition
| Paper or situation | Best next step | Main concern |
|---|---|---|
| Sound, flexible sheet with a simple fold | Ease it open and smooth gently by hand | The crease may remain visible; forcing the fold can damage it. |
| Paper in good condition, with no water-sensitive inks or colors, and an owner willing to accept risk | Consider gentle humidification followed by weighted drying | Moisture can harm paper or media; this is not a universal household fix. |
| Brittle, torn, stiff, valuable, media-sensitive, or repeatedly resistant paper | Stop and consult a paper conservator | Handling or moisture treatment may cause irreversible damage. |
If you cannot tell whether inks, colors, or other media are water-sensitive, do not try the moisture-based method. The Library of Congress advises limiting DIY humidification to paper in good condition without water-sensitive media, where the person accepts the risk; otherwise, consult a conservator (Library of Congress guidance on paper).
1. Ease open and smooth a sound fold by hand
- Place the sheet on a clean, flat surface. Open it only if it is strong and flexible and the fold does not appear likely to crack.
- With the peaks of the fold facing up, smooth the crease gently with a fingertip.
- Stop if the paper resists, feels stiff, or begins to crack. Do not force it open, pop the fold, or fold it backward.
The National Archives cautions: “Avoid ‘popping’ open a fold and do not back-fold documents to flatten them.” Gentle smoothing may make a document easier to place in a folder, but it will not flatten the fold perfectly (National Archives, Paper-Based Records).
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2. Relax suitable paper, then dry it under weight
This method introduces moisture, so use it only when the sheet is in good condition, is not brittle or breaking, and its inks and colors are not water-sensitive. If you are unsure about the paper or its media, stop and ask a paper conservator rather than experimenting.
Set up a flat drying stack
The National Park Service’s institutional guidance describes drying relaxed paper on a flat, smooth, sturdy surface, with blotting material around the sheet and weight above it. Use clean, flat blotters and distribute the weight evenly so the paper dries flat. Archival-quality paper blotters are one relevant supply; they are not necessary for every ordinary wrinkled sheet.
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Allow drying time and monitor the sheet
The NPS leaflet says to leave the paper under weight overnight or for several days if time and space allow. This is guidance for a conservation technique, not a guaranteed schedule or promise of wrinkle-free results. If the sheet is drying cockled, change the blotters. If it remains resistant after three attempts, follow the NPS advice: “If papers are still resistant to flattening after three attempts, consult a paper conservator for advice.” The leaflet is Conserve O Gram 13/2, revised 1993 (National Park Service, How to Flatten Folded or Rolled Paper Documents).
Keep steam and condensation away
Do not hold paper over a kettle, put it in the direct path of steam, or let condensation collect on it. Florida’s archival guidance warns: “Never place papers in the direct path of steam or allow condensation to accumulate on the paper” (Florida Department of State, Flatten Carefully). Avoid improvised moisture treatment when the paper or media is uncertain.
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3. Take fragile or valuable paper to a conservator
Do not try to unroll or flatten paper that is brittle, stiff, torn, badly damaged, or valuable enough that you cannot accept the risk of damage. The National Archives notes that weak, stiff, or brittle rolled records can tear or develop sharp, permanent creases when unrolled (National Archives, Paper-Based Records). The Library of Congress recommends consulting a conservator for items of particular value, progressing damage, frequent handling, complex condition problems, or paper that is unsuitable for DIY humidification (Library of Congress guidance on paper).
Do not use adhesive tape to flatten or mend a document. The National Archives says no adhesive tape meets conservation standards; adhesive can stain and embrittle paper, and solvents used to remove it can cause ink to bleed (National Archives, Paper-Based Records).
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Store the paper safely after flattening
Once the sheet is dry and flat, protect it from repeated handling and pressure. The Library of Congress identifies acid- and lignin-free folders, mats, and document boxes as supportive enclosures. Choose storage to suit the media: polyester film can create static that lifts powdery materials such as pastel or charcoal, so a clear plastic sleeve is not suitable for every artwork or document (Library of Congress, Care, Handling and Storage of Works on Paper).
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