Make & keep
Weave two photo-strip copies into one image
Combine two related prints as a paper weave without cutting an original.
A paper weave can compare two dates, two expressions or two versions of one portrait. It is a physical collage, not a preservation method, so make two matched working copies and keep the untouched master aside.
Set the grid
Choose two prints with the same dimensions and similar frame placement. Cut one into equal horizontal bands and the other into equal vertical bands. Use a ruler and mark the reverse of the copies; uneven widths will make the finished image drift.
Weave slowly
Lay the vertical strips in order on a backing sheet, leaving a narrow gap between them. Pass each horizontal band over one strip and under the next, alternating the pattern on each row. Keep faces near the centre of a band so the weave does not slice through eyes or mouths.
Secure the result
Square the outside edges before attaching the strips to an archival-quality backing chosen for display. Photograph or scan the completed collage and record which two source images it uses. A loose or puckered weave is a construction problem; do not press it flat with a heavy object.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Library of Congress — Care, Handling, and Storage of PhotographsPreservation guidance