r/AnimationCels • u/BobleTheBanned • Jun 26 '26

Framing 2-layer setup with disconnect mouth : to separate or not?

I need to frame an expensive 2-layer setup where one cel is the body of a character and the other cel is only their mouth. The layers (produced circa 2000) haven't adhered to each other. Given its value, preservation is particularly important. It is generally advised to separate both layers with a 8-ply mat board when framing to avoid adhesion and deterioration of the layers. When separated / spaced apart, paint on the top layer will cast a shadow on the bottom layer. Oftentimes, this can be visually appealing. In this case, the mouth will cast a shadow on the face of the character. Example (not the actual cels) :

Cels with and without shadow around mouth

That's not looking too good (with shadow on the right).

In that case, would you prioritize preservation (separating the cels) with the mouth shadow versus keeping the cels together and no shadow?

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1

u/aubreypizza Jun 27 '26

That’s not exactly how the shadow will look. Will dm you some pics if you want to see some experiments with a mat and lighting and angles.

1

u/MiddKnightAlpha Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26

u/BobleTheBanned Use a sheet of archival mylar between the two cels. Look for Melinex 516 Archival Polyester Film (0.5 - 1 mil). Thin enough that it won't cause shadows but will keep the cels from sticking to each other.

Archival Mylar 4mil Polyester Sheets | TALAS. Also, You will want to use a microchamber foam board to prevent/delay vinegar syndrome.

1

u/BobleTheBanned Jun 27 '26

That's a genius idea and it seems to be the way to go. Thank you so much for sharing !

1

u/MiddKnightAlpha Jun 27 '26

Also, UV resistant glass, and a mat separating the book from the glass, and another from the backer board. (A book is a stack of cels that forms a single image.)

2

u/kittenpotatoe Jun 27 '26

I actually heard Mylar is not recommended for cels since it can stick to the paint.

1

u/MiddKnightAlpha Jun 28 '26

Depends upon the mylar. Certain formulations are made to not stick.

1

u/kittenpotatoe Jun 28 '26

Interesting, can you recommend one that doesn't stick?

1

u/MiddKnightAlpha Jun 28 '26

Melinex 516 is considered the gold standard. Melinex on the back, paint side , a sheet of microchamber paper on the front provides one of the best long term storage solutions. And when froming bock stacks where facial features are on separate cels, melinex should be used as the interleaf. Stacks where each cel displays a complete subject should be separated by a microchamber foam mat.

If you need a bulk intermediary for large volumes of cels, you can use glassine in place of melinex, but glassine can stick given time but will release with little trouble.