Should I use backing for every cel? Need your opinion.

[Alex]

I was reading an earlier discussion on selecting cel backing and started to think about my own cel storage.

I currently pack each cel in acid free bag (I prefer 0.05mm OPP bags), and then I store them two ways. I purchased plastic boxes with file hangers and put cels in the file hangers, so all the cels are stored vertically and loosely (this is a lot cheaper than Itoya book). For larger size or more frequently viewed cels, I put them in Itoya books. Real large cels are individually sandwiched in cardboards. Boxes are opened for fresh air at least once every six months.

I guess adding backing to cels can definitely further protect the cels in the file hangers. But I have a couple questions that I like your opinion:

1. Do you think cel will stuck to the backing?
2. Is this extra protection worth the investment in time, weight, space and money? Will you do it if you were me for about 400 cels?

Thank you.

[Cordelia]

Hi Alex

Yes, the cel will get stuck to any paper products. So you must separate them with a clear plastic sheet, the same way you do with backgrounds. There are several ways to do it:

- Cut a single sheet of plastic from one of your bags and place b/w cel and backing, place entire thing in another bag
-Place cel in a plastic bag then tape to backing, place entire thing in another bag

For me, I require backing so that cels don't flex when I turn pages. This may cause dents (those that look like finger nail marks) or maybe loosen/crack the paint. My main concern is the paint, I'm not sure what a lil' flexing each time I flip the pages, albeit carefully, will do to the paint. I'm curious to hear what others think too because I've seen dealers not using backings either.

You can cut down on the no. of backing boards if you let 2 cels share 1 board. Since each cel book page can hold 2 cels, then each page only needs one backing. Sketches will also be fine w/o any boards.

[birdie]

- Cut a single sheet of plastic from one of your bags and place b/w cel and backing, place entire thing in another bag
-Place cel in a plastic bag then tape to backing, place entire thing in another bag

What about lettin air in and preventing and moisture buildup? So many bags would make it difficult for moisture to escape and give multi layered cels that blasted moisture halo. Do you cut holes through all the layers?

[Alex]

- Cut a single sheet of plastic from one of your bags and place b/w cel and backing, place entire thing in another bag
-Place cel in a plastic bag then tape to backing, place entire thing in another bag

What about lettin air in and preventing and moisture buildup? So many bags would make it difficult for moisture to escape and give multi layered cels that blasted moisture halo. Do you cut holes through all the layers?

This is a great question.

I live in Southern California, moisture is not a major concern. Actually I would worry being too dry and paint will crack. I installed two Carrier 58CVX070112 furnaces with build in humidifier, which keep the room moisture between 40% to 60% and temp between 70 to 78 degree at all time (mimic the standard to keep piano at best sound). I don't seal cel bags, and I take the cels out at least twice a year. So far, moisture is under control.

For cels I receive from either Tokyo or Osaka, I will leave the cels and paper (bg, sketch, etc.) out for a few days before package them into bags to normalize the moisture. Once awhile, I do get multi-layered cels with cloudy stuff on or between layers. Is there an effective way to remove them?

Thanks.

[Alex]

For me, I require backing so that cels don't flex when I turn pages. This may cause dents (those that look like finger nail marks) or maybe loosen/crack the paint.

Got it. Thank you for the clarification

[RoboFlonne]

Hi! for your collection, I'd like you to get bullet proof, flame retardent kevlar armor for each one!

[Cordelia]

What about lettin air in and preventing and moisture buildup? Do you cut holes through all the layers?

Moisture the public enemy of cels...yes I either snip off the corner or use a needle to poke holes in each bag.

[metheus]

Definitely consider acid free card board for any such backing projects.

[Nelia]

Hi! for your collection, I'd like you to get bullet proof, flame retardent kevlar armor for each one!

Why not add a couple bodyguards to boot? XD

[shellie]

I agree with everyone else that a firm backer-board for each cel would be optimum... but whether it is practical or do-able with a large collection like yours may be another story, Alex! Just thinking of all the additional space that would take up makes my head spin. If you have the time and money and space to put a firm backing on each cel, by all means, Do It! But maybe if you don't have the time or space to do them all at once, perhaps you could start by just doing your most expensive (or most treasured) ones first. Then you could do more as time/space/money allowed. It sounds like you already have your cels stored in a more protective manner than lots of us do!

[Alex]

I tried a few backing materials and methods. List them below for your reference

1. Because all the cels I have are already in bag and I use A4L size bag which is just right for cel, but won't fit sketch or BG most of time. So I cut a paper board (don't care acid free or not since it won't touch the cel and place everything into one larger bag in the order of cel, BG (if any), board and sketch (facing opposite way). I punched a couple holes on the outer bag and cel bag for air and seal the outer bag. It looks pretty good.

2. I cut a board to match the size of sketch or BG (whichever is larger) and place the sketch & BG in individual bags then tape all the bags together with the board in the middle. It works too, but looks kind of funny.

3. I remove the cel from the bag, place a plastic film behind the cel and put cel, BG, backing board then sketch into one bag, cut the corner of the bag and seal the opening. This actually looks the best without the multiple layers of bags to view the cel.

I think I would do either method 1 or 3. What do you think?

The challenges I have are as follows:
1. It is labor intensive to cut those boards and film (need to go back to read the discussion, I think somebody mentioned being able to buy right size board).
2. It does take up more space and do not fit well in my file hanger boxes (a bit too tall so the lid won't close). I am going to have to buy new storage units.
3. Have to find various size bags.
4. Reconsider all the Itoya books I have. Adding backing boards can be heavy and bulky. I need to think about his some more.

So what kind of tools you all have to protect your cels?

I have the following tools:
1. A bag sealer, I use it to customize bag size. This is a very handy tool.
2. A sharp pairing knife for cutting
3. A pair of scissor
4. A mat cutter to make my own matting for cel framing. The cutter does 45 degree cuts. Maybe I can find a straight cutting head for board cutting. 45 degree cut looks strange but works.

I think I can use the mat cutter to cut board and keep the line straight; and need use the dining table to spread out the work. I accidentally bent a Ghost in the Shell cel during my trials because I was working on the floor and I stepped on that cel.

Wife will kill me for making dining room a workshop, I know it already. Maybe that chocolate cake I bought her for valentine day will give me some brownie points……or I need to buy her a new purse…..all the stuff I have to do for my cels……maybe I should start golfing instead…..

[RoboFlonne]

New Fendi bag should do it!

[Alex]

I ordered some 11x14 Letramax Black boards that Golden Boy recommended.

I think I am going to try replacing the thin black sheets in Itoya book with these stiffer boards, probably have to reduce the number of cels per book. That may be an easy way to improve protection without dealing with each cel.

[Golden Boy]

Hey Alex,
I'm glad you're considering the Letramax BonB boards. However, I would not use them with the Itoya books. The books will become very heavy and it will fan out a lot.

This is why I went to a multi-ring portfolio system. You can specifiy the number of pages per book, thus controlling the weight and since the pages aren't fixed there won't be any fanning.

I currently use several Prat Start 1 Presentation cases to store my cels and am slowing moving to the archival binder boxes I described in the other Beta thread.

Also, let me know if you find any file storage where you can actually close the top. I was considering a hanging folder style storage as well, but found the boxes/cases to be too short. I also live in Los Angeles so we would have access to the same local resources.

Lastly, I try to avoid customization when possible and try to use materials that are ready made to use out of the box. Like you, I use A4L sizes to store cels. I also use B4 or B4L sizes for backgrounds. I don't use the bags, instead I use the sleeves that open to the side and aren't sealable.

Hope that helps.

gb