is there any way to remove lamination from a paper art work without destroying the work underneath?

Question

When my son was still in school, they laminated several pictures that he drew for display in the school. Some of them did not turn out very well. There are creases and bubbles under the plastic and they look terrible. I would like to have them framed if possible. He is a very talented artist and the pictures are one of a kind.

Answer 1

Yes that really sucks. It may be fixable, it depends on the lamination and mounting method. You will need to contact a paper and book restorer. I can't direct you to any in particular, not knowing where you live. Look in the back of antique magazines for ads, try a local antique dealer who could recommend someone. Its likely to be pricey though.

Answer 2

From what I can gleen from conservation websites the answer would be an unfortunate "no".

Whether the laminate used heat or adhesives, it's most likely bonded to the paper for good and any attempt to remove it will ruin the enclosed paper.

I can testify to this; as a kid I had access to a lamination machine and I laminated my Social Security card to protect it. Years later when I actually had to start presenting it to government agencies, they wouldn't accept it laminated (seriously). I tried to remove it carefully and I thoroughly ruined it in the process.

More bad news would be that most plastics used from yesteryear are not inert; meaning they age, discolor, and deteriorate (sometimes more quickly than the paper would on it's own).

Answer 3

unfortunatly you guys might just have to admire them for what they are, because i dont know of any way to do that... if hes a talented artist he should just keep it up an he will have many more for frameing, an he can just have those to look back on , an unfortunatly remember those silly teachers that laminated it themselves lol