Knowledge Centre/Restoration
The Restoration Process
Restoration isn't a single action. It's a sequence of careful, deliberate stages, each one assessed and adjusted for the specific card in front of us. Here's what that sequence actually looks like.
01
Microscopic inspection
Every card starts under magnification, not just a glance, so we see what's happening at the surface and fibre level before deciding anything.
02
Damage assessment
From that inspection, we work out what's causing the issue and which techniques suit this card's stock, era and finish.
03
Controlled humidity
Carefully controlled moisture makes the card stock workable, applied across the whole card or just the affected area depending on what's needed.
04
Hand tools
Precision hand work handles the delicate, localised parts of the process, adjusted card to card rather than run to a fixed setting.
05
Heat treatment
Some defects respond to a controlled heat stage. It's used only where relevant to the specific damage, not as a default step.
06
Pressing
The card is pressed, fully or in the specific area being corrected, to help it hold its improved shape.
07
Drying & setting
The card is allowed to gradually return to a stable state. This stage can't be rushed without risking the work already done.
08
Final drying & check
A final drying stage, then a check against what we set out to correct, before the card is prepared to be sent back.
Every one of these stages is adjusted to the individual card, not applied as a fixed recipe. That's also why restoration takes the time it does.
Full Restore Cards Knowledge Centre · Published August 30, 2026