<p>I don't believe there is a way to remove the yellow staining but there are a lot of methods to keep it from getting any worse.</p>
<p>The reason your paper is turning yellow is because of the quality of paper that was used to make the drawing on. Economical paper is made from wood and not cotton. Chances are you have paper made from a wood pulp. Wood is made up of lignin and cellulose. The yellowing in the result of lignin, still present in the fibres of your paper, oxidizing when exposed to sunlight and air.</p>
<p>And if the paper wasn't washed properly, residual acids from the paper-making process may still be present. These acids help with the oxidation process.</p>
<p>To save your paper I would recommend two things, 1) Neutralize the residual acids and 2) Seal the paper from contact with the air.</p>
<p>Krylon makes a spray (Make It Acid-Free), that helps neutralize the acids. Neutralizing the acids slows down the yellowing and aging of the paper.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BeczY.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BeczY.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Krylon also makes a preservative for protecting documents and photos called PreserveIt.</p>
<p>Neutralize the acids first, then preserve it.</p>
<p>In the future if you want your drawings to last longer (say a couple of hundred years), try using paper that is archival safe or acid-free.</p>
<hr />
<p><em>Editor's note: it looks like Make It Acid-Free may no longer be available.  If that's the case, there are a few other similar products, including <a href="https://www.unitedmfrs.com/Archival_Mist_p/5372.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Archival Mist</a> and <a href="https://archival.com/deacid.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bookkeeper</a> (which is a liquid used in a hand sprayer).  This is provided only as information; no personal experience with the products.</em></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-28T23:50:38.217Z
But if the paper has already yellowed, is there any solution? This seems like a method of preventing the yellowing in the first place.
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-28T23:59:40.453Z
Undo the yellowing? Not that I know of.
John Vukelic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-29T00:07:54.353Z
Yeah, I didn't figure that was the case. That might be worth adding to your answer, since the question is how to get rid of the yellow. Very nice, overall, though! Not trying to be critical.
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-29T02:21:47.937Z
I have added the note. And thanks for the review! I always appreciate a good critique. Cheers!
John Vukelic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T16:40:49.937Z
Thanks John, I follow this for a new drawing. Do you want to spray this first and start drawing? or Choose acid-free paper?
Vijai
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T16:58:52.397Z
Spraying these chemicals should only be a last resort. They are very expensive chemicals and not good to breath. Archivists use these chemicals to save precious art works for the future. Instead of spending money to fix mistakes use that money instead to buy good quality, archival rated, papers and tools. You will draw better and feel better knowing that from the moment you begin the work you are doing your best for yourself, your future customers and history. Mastery and craftsmanship is the solution and cure. Choose the acid-free paper. Leave your old art as a reminder so as to never forget.
John Vukelic
CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-07-28T23:42:17.477Z
2021-01-12T02:31:01.117Z
2021-01-12T02:31:01.117Z
John Vukelic
<p>b_jonas is on the right path...</p>

<p>Take a high quality scan or photo of the discolored work. <strong>Then take that scan and in photo editing software correct out the yellowed tone.</strong> A decent app will have tools that can make this fairly simple, though you may want to outsource this if you are not familiar with the process.  </p>

<p><strong>Now make a giclee or high quality inkjet print of the work, using the same or similar paper and dimensions of the original.</strong> Yes, it is a reproduction, but fine art ink jet prints can be nearly indistinguishable from the original. </p>

<p>There is no way to "unyellow" aged paper without damaging the work. This way you can still have a piece you can show that is in pristine condition and that will look like the original to all but the closest inspection.</p>

<p>(Note: this is also the reason you should not use hair spray or other cheap alternatives as fixative. Not saying you did here, but it will result in the same yellowing and should be avoided.)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-27T14:15:16.360Z
2020-05-27T14:15:16.360Z
rebusB
<p>Take high quality digital scans or photographs of it. </p>

<p>That won't undo the damage if some of the drawing is already lost, but digital editing may help make the parts of the art that are still there more visible. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T16:49:17.083Z
This seems a better fit for the comment as, like you say, does nothing to address the OPs question but tries to provide a potential solution to keep a copy of the work if nothing else.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-02T18:04:22.683Z
You can then print them out on a newer sheet of paper, too.
bb216b3acfd8f72cbc8f899d4d6963
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T08:45:13.880Z
2016-08-01T08:45:13.880Z
b_jonas
<p>I have my old (10+ years) pencil art drawings and when I looked at them recently I notice that the paper has yellowed where it is visible. </p>

<p>Is there a way to remove to remove the yellow tint without affecting the drawing?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-28T23:38:53.393Z
Do you mean to say that the *paper* has yellowed? What is yellow? Can you please clarify your question a bit?
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-28T23:49:54.827Z
I drew the drawing in a white paper, now it is not looking white it became pale yellow.
Vijai
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-01T02:54:25.510Z
This question is very related: http://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/528/how-can-i-prevent-my-drawings-and-paper-from-yellowing-over-time
Matt
<restoration>
How to remove the yellowish color from my old drawings?
Vijai
# How to remove the yellowish color from my old drawings?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-07-28)

I have my old (10+ years) pencil art drawings and when I looked at them recently I notice that the paper has yellowed where it is visible.

Is there a way to remove to remove the yellow tint without affecting the drawing?

**Tags:** restoration

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Do you mean to say that the *paper* has yellowed? What is yellow? Can you please clarify your question a bit?  
> **username_0**: I drew the drawing in a white paper, now it is not looking white it became pale yellow.  
> **username_2**: This question is very related: http://crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/528/how-can-i-prevent-my-drawings-and-paper-from-yellowing-over-time  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-07-28. Score: 10

I don't believe there is a way to remove the yellow staining but there are a lot of methods to keep it from getting any worse.

The reason your paper is turning yellow is because of the quality of paper that was used to make the drawing on. Economical paper is made from wood and not cotton. Chances are you have paper made from a wood pulp. Wood is made up of lignin and cellulose. The yellowing in the result of lignin, still present in the fibres of your paper, oxidizing when exposed to sunlight and air.

And if the paper wasn't washed properly, residual acids from the paper-making process may still be present. These acids help with the oxidation process.

To save your paper I would recommend two things, 1) Neutralize the residual acids and 2) Seal the paper from contact with the air.

Krylon makes a spray (Make It Acid-Free), that helps neutralize the acids. Neutralizing the acids slows down the yellowing and aging of the paper.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/BeczY.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/BeczY.png)

Krylon also makes a preservative for protecting documents and photos called PreserveIt.

Neutralize the acids first, then preserve it.

In the future if you want your drawings to last longer (say a couple of hundred years), try using paper that is archival safe or acid-free.

---

*Editor's note: it looks like Make It Acid-Free may no longer be available. If that's the case, there are a few other similar products, including [Archival Mist](https://www.unitedmfrs.com/Archival_Mist_p/5372.htm) and [Bookkeeper](https://archival.com/deacid.html) (which is a liquid used in a hand sprayer). This is provided only as information; no personal experience with the products.*

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: But if the paper has already yellowed, is there any solution? This seems like a method of preventing the yellowing in the first place.  
> **username_3**: Undo the yellowing? Not that I know of.  
> **username_1**: Yeah, I didn't figure that was the case. That might be worth adding to your answer, since the question is how to get rid of the yellow. Very nice, overall, though! Not trying to be critical.  
> **username_3**: I have added the note. And thanks for the review! I always appreciate a good critique. Cheers!  
> **username_0**: Thanks username_3, I follow this for a new drawing. Do you want to spray this first and start drawing? or Choose acid-free paper?  
> **username_3**: Spraying these chemicals should only be a last resort. They are very expensive chemicals and not good to breath. Archivists use these chemicals to save precious art works for the future. Instead of spending money to fix mistakes use that money instead to buy good quality, archival rated, papers and tools. You will draw better and feel better knowing that from the moment you begin the work you are doing your best for yourself, your future customers and history. Mastery and craftsmanship is the solution and cure. Choose the acid-free paper. Leave your old art as a reminder so as to never forget.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2020-05-27. Score: 3

b\_jonas is on the right path...

Take a high quality scan or photo of the discolored work. **Then take that scan and in photo editing software correct out the yellowed tone.** A decent app will have tools that can make this fairly simple, though you may want to outsource this if you are not familiar with the process.

**Now make a giclee or high quality inkjet print of the work, using the same or similar paper and dimensions of the original.** Yes, it is a reproduction, but fine art ink jet prints can be nearly indistinguishable from the original.

There is no way to "unyellow" aged paper without damaging the work. This way you can still have a piece you can show that is in pristine condition and that will look like the original to all but the closest inspection.

(Note: this is also the reason you should not use hair spray or other cheap alternatives as fixative. Not saying you did here, but it will result in the same yellowing and should be avoided.)


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-08-01. Score: 2

Take high quality digital scans or photographs of it.

That won't undo the damage if some of the drawing is already lost, but digital editing may help make the parts of the art that are still there more visible.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: This seems a better fit for the comment as, like you say, does nothing to address the OPs question but tries to provide a potential solution to keep a copy of the work if nothing else.  
> **username_6**: You can then print them out on a newer sheet of paper, too.  

---

