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    DOCUMENT CONSERVATION :: what's new in the lab  
 
Dyeing Mending Tissue
A variety of papers can be dyed in the lab with natural dyes. Here black walnut hulls are soaked and brought to a simmer to release coloring agents.

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The dye is strained into a dyeing tray
 

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Click image to enlarge
Mending tissue is added and allowed to absorb the dye until desired darkness. The longer the paper is allowed to soak the darker the results. Slight agitation of the tray helps create an even color, but for this pre-cast mending strip tissue slight variations in the final color are considered fine.
The tissue is removed from the bath to be rinsed.

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The final rinse removed any dye not absorbed by the fibers of the tissue.
Samples of dyed tissue for use in the lab resemble the color of a variety of aged papers required for mending.

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