Tissue foil vs. Kraft paper

krt2 · Post by **krt2** » February 21st, 2009, 7:40 am

Something I have been using instead of a sheet of glass for gluing paper up on is a large sheet of "Smooth Panelboard". Its 1/8" thick pressboard with a very shiny smooth white coating on it. I think its used for large whiteboards and other things. But its very smooth and the paper comes up from it very well. Its not quite as easy to clean as the glass, but its sure a lot safer to use. I've had a large sheet of plate glass break on me and its not a lot of fun! Plus, the Smooth Panelboard is very cheap - I think it was something like $13 USD for a 4x8 foot sheet. Where as a sheet of glass that's 20"x30" is more like double that cost. The downside, of course, is the cleaning, but as long as you don't use a scraper (like you CAN do with glass) your probably OK. I've gouged my sheet a few times before I got smart.

But I have small children and am very worried about having a large sheet of plate glass sitting around. This wood is much safer, cheaper, larger, and seems to be doing the trick for me, YMMV.

Kim

JeffNYC · Post by **JeffNYC** » February 21st, 2009, 11:18 pm

I was going to use a framed picture that I don't currently have hanging. That's why I wanted to confirm it's easy to clean off with glass cleaner (and doesn't ruin the glass).

krt2, do you brush the MC or spray it? Do you also use two sheets of tissue?

krt2 · Post by **krt2** » February 22nd, 2009, 7:57 am

I've mostly done backcoating of some larger hand-made papers (gampi, lokta and the like) to make them foldable (really nicely foldable as it turns out). But I've done some work with double tissue.

For gluing the double tissue, I've tried Anna's suggestion of laying down two sheets of tissue and spreading the glue over the top and just letting it soak through, but that hasn't worked for me. The two layers are too prone to separating when being folded when I've tried this. The MC just doesn't seem to penetrate all the way through the layers. Maybe my MC concoction is just too thick. Regardless, I've had much better luck using the following process:

1) Spread MC on the board, then carefully roll out a piece of tissue smoothing it gently into the MC with the edge of a credit card (or something similar)
2) Spread another layer of MC on top of that tissue
3) roll out a 2nd piece of tissue on top of the first, very gently smoothing (same as above)
4) Spread a final layer of MC over the top piece of tissue
5) Let it dry overnight then carefully peel it up when its fully dry

For rolling out the tissue, I've found a small dowel works well. I use a few little pieces of masking tape to attach one end of the tissue then roll it up on the dowel. I get two of these prepared ahead of time so I'm ready when I start spreading the glue. I find the tissue rolls out neatly enough that it doesn't take much smoothing - which is good, because the 'smoothing' is what shreds the tissue for me. Once that stuff gets wet, it almost falls apart on its own.

Oh yeah, and your original question: Yes, I brush the MC on. Just brush carefully. The MC seems way to thick to spray meaningfully. I think it'd just clog a spray bottle. But who knows? It might work and could be a great technique! If you try it, make sure and let us know how it goes!

Kim

JeffNYC · Post by **JeffNYC** » March 2nd, 2009, 8:59 pm

origami_8 wrote:First you need to place the tissue paper on a flat surface (glass plate). Then you take a soft brush and apply the MC (with a consistency like the white of eggs) on your paper. To do so first make a long stroke on one of the edges of the paper to glue it to the surface. Then work your way from this edge to the other always beginning in the middle of the paper going outwards, smoothing out air bubbles and crinkles.
After you are done let it dry over night or at least a few hours until it is completely dry. Then peel it off and cut it to size.

What size brush do you recommend? Something wide to help smooth out wrinkles?

Post by **origami_8** » March 2nd, 2009, 9:05 pm

Look here: viewtopic.php?p=40355#40355

origamimasterjared · Post by **origamimasterjared** » March 2nd, 2009, 11:25 pm

JeffNYC wrote:What size brush do you recommend? Something wide to help smooth out wrinkles?

The widest you can comfortably fit in the bowl of MC.

Fewer strokes allow you to cover a larger area, making it less prone to tearing, and more evenly distributed.

JeffNYC · Post by **JeffNYC** » March 3rd, 2009, 3:28 pm

Thanks for the recommendations. I ordered a 3" brush (set also came with 2" and 1" if that proves too wide). Also the Elmers Art Paste recommended here, some tissue, and a rotary cutter. Should be set to try out the best folding paper (per origami_8)...

Wizmatt · Post by **Wizmatt** » March 6th, 2009, 6:22 pm

krt2 wrote:I've mostly done backcoating of some larger hand-made papers (gampi, lokta and the like) to make them foldable (really nicely foldable as it turns out). But I've done some work with double tissue.

Kim, what did you backcoat the handmade papers with?

krt2 · Post by **krt2** » March 11th, 2009, 5:53 am

I just used the basic methylcellulose (MC). There's several other threads on the fourm that give lots of details and opinions about MC. Here's one of them:

viewtopic.php?t=4578

I picked some up from an art store in my area and followed other's suggestions for mixing and applying. Its worked great for me!

Kim

JeffNYC · Post by **JeffNYC** » March 11th, 2009, 3:48 pm

First attempt had a bit of wrinkles, but folds very well. Very promising.

Wizmatt · Post by **Wizmatt** » March 11th, 2009, 8:09 pm

krt2 wrote:I just used the basic methylcellulose (MC). There's several other threads on the fourm that give lots of details and opinions about MC.

Sorry, I meant what did you backcoat the handmade paper to? (tissue paper ect)

Post by **origami_8** » March 11th, 2009, 9:23 pm

You don't need to backcoat the paper to something. Applying MC does make it crisper and stronger, that's especially important on very soft handmade papers that wouldn't hold a crease otherwise.

Wizmatt · Post by **Wizmatt** » March 11th, 2009, 9:33 pm

Oh right, thanks. I thought I was missing something, I've been using mc for a while now but I assumed that back-coating meant adding another layer of paper.

Post by **origami_8** » March 11th, 2009, 9:46 pm

Yes, you are right, backcoating means applying an additional layer. Adding just MC would be resizing (sizing meaning the thing that keeps the paper together f.e. glue like MC).

krt2 · Post by **krt2** » March 12th, 2009, 7:13 am

Sorry for the confusion here. I guess I was really resizing those papers. Though I've heard it referred to as backcoating before. I'm clearly not an expert in the terminology. Thanks for helping clear up the misunderstanding here Anna.

Kim