Designed to protect fragile or over-sized documents, encapsulation in polyester film is completely reversible. Prior to encapsulation, all materials are cleaned to remove surface dirt and non-aqueously deacidified, as appropriate.
Melinex 516 or Mylar Type D polyester film is used. The thickness of film is determined by the size of the item or the future use of the material. The film is sealed along the sides using the ultrasonic welding machine invented by Minter and Malosh. The encapsulations can be sealed on all four sides, or one to three sides to fit the use of the object.
Multiple encapsulated leaves, such as from an atlas, can be bound into a volume.
Maps or newspapers that must be kept folded can also be sealed in a folded-encapsulation so that the integrity of the item is not compromised.
