Abstract
This study focused on the effects of resins and adhesives on the preservation of a series of
dyed handmade papers, called “multi-colored, gold-embossed papers”. The substrates included
filter paper, lab-prepared handmade papers, and commercial water-patterned handmade papers.
The resins or adhesives were impregnated into the papers and then 105℃ dry heat was applied for
accelerated aging treatment. Changes in the paper strengths and colors were determined afterward.
The results indicated that the paper substrates exerted significant influences. Although the commercial
paper upon impregnating with various gelatins could markedly increase its folding endurance,
after 12 d of 105℃ dry-heat, however, the folding endurance was almost reduced to 0; tearing
strength retention was merely 20%. Thus it was not durable and would not be suitable for use as a
medium for artistic creations. Individual resins and adhesives exhibited differing effects; they affected
the original strengths of the substrate papers, but also the aging responses and changes in
coloration. For tearing strength retention, the 2 wet-strength resins, sodium alginate, alum-added
gelatin, and starch showed poorer strengths after the 105℃ dry-heat treatment. Resins or adhesives
added with an insolubilizer, AZC, were superior to alum, and the effects were more distinctive in
filter paper than in handmade papers, mainly because there was no calcium carbonate in the filter
paper to neutralize the acidity of the alum.