I am new to Cel collecting and the consensus seems to be: Store cels vertically in Itoya portfolios in poly bags (1 side open) and microchamber paper.
Do Cels curl when they are stored for a long time? Since they are stored vertically, they are not perfectly straight and somewhat flexible.
Should I use more cardboard backing on top of the black Itoya backing? Would making the cel not flex at all be better for it?
Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
Storing Cels Vertically, do they curl?
- JWR
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Re: Storing Cels Vertically, do they curl?
I have been storing mine just inside the sleeves of the Itoya that way since I started collecting cels and have not had that problem. going on 15 + years.
I might add I store mine with the Itoya "spine" up and the "book opening" on the floor. That way the weight is on the itoya plastic and the sleeves hang not in contact with the ground.
I might add I store mine with the Itoya "spine" up and the "book opening" on the floor. That way the weight is on the itoya plastic and the sleeves hang not in contact with the ground.
"Like the wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we are, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment." Harlan Ellison
Re: Storing Cels Vertically, do they curl?
Do you have picture? I’ve also been wondering about curl issues. I haven’t stored them long enough to see any curl yet, but I would like to store it another way to prevent warp.

Re: Storing Cels Vertically, do they curl?
If I am understanding this correctly, you are using an Itoya binder and you have just been putting cels inside of the sleeve with the black (piece of paper? I am unsure what it is) on the back of the cel. Then, you lay out the binder practically like a book that is laid out on the ground or on a wall? If so, do you have any pictures of this? I am a bit curiousJWR wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 5:51 pm I have been storing mine just inside the sleeves of the Itoya that way since I started collecting cels and have not had that problem. going on 15 + years.
I might add I store mine with the Itoya "spine" up and the "book opening" on the floor. That way the weight is on the itoya plastic and the sleeves hang not in contact with the ground.
- JWR
- Kitten Rescuer - Moderator
- Posts: 2822
- Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:40 pm
- Location: Eagle Rock , California
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Re: Storing Cels Vertically, do they curl?
Easiest way to explain what I do is to take an Itoya book and place it spine up flat against a wall so the opening is on the bottom.

The hard plastic of the itoya extends about 1/2 to close to an inch from the sleeves you place the cel into. Simular to how the pages of a hard cover book are inset from the hard cover flaps.This allows the sleeves to hang without weight on them and keeps them from getting bent or squished by weight storing them flat would cause.
looking down on them they would look simular to these
I keep mine against a wall between a spare bed and night stand in our house that is temp controled.
Hope this helps- jwr

The hard plastic of the itoya extends about 1/2 to close to an inch from the sleeves you place the cel into. Simular to how the pages of a hard cover book are inset from the hard cover flaps.This allows the sleeves to hang without weight on them and keeps them from getting bent or squished by weight storing them flat would cause.
looking down on them they would look simular to these

I keep mine against a wall between a spare bed and night stand in our house that is temp controled.
Hope this helps- jwr
"Like the wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we are, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment." Harlan Ellison