Most prints arrive rolled. It’s the safest way to ship them — no creases, no pressure on the surface, no risk of damage in transit. But getting them to lie flat isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.
The key is patience. A print that has been rolled for days or weeks holds a memory in the paper. Trying to force it flat immediately will stress the fibres and can cause micro-creases that are difficult to remove.
The simplest method
Unroll the print and place it face up on a clean, flat surface. Roll it loosely in the opposite direction for a few minutes, then unroll it again. Repeat if needed. This counters the curl without applying pressure directly to the surface.
Letting it settle
Once the worst of the curl is gone, lay the print face down on a clean surface and place something flat and heavy — books work well — across it. Leave it for 24 to 48 hours. The paper will relax on its own without any heat or moisture involved.
What not to do
Don’t use an iron directly on the print — the heat will damage the ink and potentially the paper surface. Don’t spray water on it either — moisture warps paper unevenly and can leave marks.
If you want to use gentle heat, place the print between two sheets of clean paper and use the lowest setting, moving quickly and never stopping in one place.
Before framing
If the print is going straight into a frame, the mat and backing board will hold it flat naturally. A slight remaining curl isn’t a problem once it’s secured behind glass.
A little patience at this stage means the print arrives on your wall the way it was meant to look.
— Studio Ninette, designed in Belgium.