Controlled Air Drying
Definition
Drying of a wet document flat on acid-free blotter at controlled temperature (18-20°C) and relative humidity (45-55%), separated from adjacent pages, with gentle air flow; appropriate for water-resistant inks (toner, ballpoint) without biological staining.
- Temperature
- 18 to 20 degrees Celsius
- Relative humidity
- 45 to 55 percent
- Medium
- Acid-free blotter, pages separated
- Suitable for
- Water-resistant inks: toner, ballpoint
Common questions
Why is controlled air drying unsuitable for documents with biological staining?+
The slow drying period gives mould time to establish on organic material, so documents with biological staining need a faster or antimicrobial-controlled drying protocol instead.
Why must pages be separated from each other during controlled air drying?+
Separation stops adjacent wet pages from sticking together as they dry, and lets air circulate evenly so every sheet dries at the same controlled rate without warping.
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