Learn About Movie Posters
Heritage Auction House
French Movie Poster

Ewbanks Auction Movie Poster Page

Film Art

Dominique Besson Silver Screen Collectibles
eMovieposter.com
Hollywood Poster Frames
 
Posters Database

Advanced Search

Login:
Password:
Remember Me:
Movie Art of Austin
L'Imagerie Gallery
Movie Poster Archives
Movie Art GmbH
Spotlight Displays Poster Frames
Cinema Retro Magazine

BLEED-THROUGHS/
SEE-THROUGHS

A bleed-through occurs when writing (particularly markers), other marks or stains that are on the back of the poster are absorbed into the paper and are then seen on the front.

A see-through occurs when tape, marks or stains, mostly writing on the back side of the poster, particularly with a black grease pencil, can be "seen" on the front of the poster but has not been absorbed into the paper.

A see-through can generally only be seen if the poster is held up to the light, but a bleed-through can be seen on the front in any light or position.

The location, size and prominence of the bleed-through as seen on the front will determine how much value the poster loses. If the bleed-through occurs on the border, the value of the poster in not affected as much as if it occurs on the artwork.

CAUSES

Some bleed-throughs and see-throughs occur because theatre managers used the backside of posters as "bulletin boards." They placed posters in the windows of the theatres and used the back side of the poster (the side which was seen from the inside of the theatre) to write information such as coming attractions and show times, or to tape other pictures or notes on the back of the poster. In order for the writing to be visible from a distance, heavy markers were used thus creating either a bleed-through or a see-through blemish.

Some bleed-throughs and see-throughs are the result of using different types of tape to repair holes or tears in the poster. Some adhesive tapes are very acidic, and the acid will eventually eat through the poster. Less acidic tapes may not actually bleed through the paper, but can create see-throughs.

If bleed-throughs are the result of an alcohol-based marker (such as a 'Magic Marker'), the mark is absorbed into the color fiber of the poster. The only way to correct this type of bleed-through is to remove the mark through a controlled bleaching process, and then the color readded to the pigment of the area of the poster where the original color was bleached out. Only a professional restorer should do this.

Tape can sometimes be removed through a continuous controlled washing and flushing process. A professional, too, should only attempt this.

Since see-throughs can only be seen when there is light behind the poster, to eliminate the 'shadow' effect of a see-through, simply frame the poster and eliminate the light source.

Here are LAMP Approved restorers:

California
Connecticut
L'Imagerie Gallery
Poster Conservation

 



This section is for reference use. Images found on this site are property of L.A.M.P. and are for reference purposes only with NO rights implied or given. See LAMP Disclaimer
A little BIGGER and a little BETTER each day - Saving the Past... For the Future