Step 1: Blocking the wood fiber

Proprietary fillers encapsulate wood fibers

• Dual filler application encapsulates wood fibers and seals panel, eliminating raised fibers, for a smooth, uniform surface.
• Protects against moisture penetration.
• Increases hardness and density for a more durable surface, resisting delamination.
• Creates a sealed bond between wood and Archiva-Seal topcoat, protecting the painting ground from Support Induced Discoloration (SID).

Step 2: Strengthening and Sealing the Wood

Proprietary Fillers Encapsulate Wood Fibers

• A high heat application creates the final step on the Archiva-Seal, a continuous coalesced film that increases toughness, durability, and tensile strength.
• Archiva-Seal topcoat forms a complete barrier between the wood and Ampersand painting grounds.
• Enhances the panel's ability to reject moisture.
• Enhances adhesion for a strong bond with painting grounds.
• Treated on both sides for a more balanced, stronger, highly warp-resistant panel.

Step 3: Ampersand painting grounds

Uncompromising quality from the inside out

• Unparalleled, innovative painting grounds that support all media types.
• Made with conservator-quality materials, acid-free, pH Neutral.

Why is this so important?

Unsealed WOOD panels are not suitable for archival artwork

• Absorb moisture and swell
• Highly prone to warping
• Artwork not protected from Support Induced Discoloration (SID)
• Raised fibers create an uneven surface
• Increased risk of delamination
• NOT archival

Q. Why is the back of my panel white?

All Ampersand Museum Series coated panels now feature Archiva-Seal™ protection on the back of the panel. The white back is the visible result of extending archival protection to the back side of the panel. The front painting surface has ALWAYS had the Archival seal barrier between the high density fiber board and the painting ground whether it be Claybord or Gessobord, etc.

Q. What is Archiva-Seal™?

Archiva-Seal™ seals wood fibers, creates a barrier between the wood substrate and painting surface, and protects the long-term integrity of the panel. For decades, Ampersand Museum Series panels have featured Archiva-Seal™ as part of their multi-step preparation process. Now they have extended this protection to the back of the panel.

Q. Which panels will have Archiva-Seal™ on the back?

All Ampersand Museum Series coated panels; Aquabord, Claybord, Encausticbord, Gessobord, Pastelbord, and Scratchbord.

Does the white back change how the painting surface performs?

No. The painting grounds artists know and trust remain unchanged.

Q. Are previous Museum Series panels still archival?

Absolutely. You can use BOTH the old stock of panels as well as the new sealed back panels with confidence. Ampersand Museum Series panels have always been built to professional archival standards and featured Archiva-Seal™ technology as part of their preparation process.

Q. Can I paint on the back?

The back features Archiva-Seal™ protection but does not include the specialized coatings that give Ampersand’s panels like Aquabord, Claybord, Gessobord, etc., their unique performance characteristics. The white back provides a dedicated, high-contrast surface for signatures, titles and personalization.

Q: Is sealing the panel important?

Yes. Wood is a natural material, and proper preparation helps create a stable foundation for artwork. Without adequate preparation, moisture can penetrate the panel causing swelling and fiber raising and compounds naturally present in the wood can affect painting layers over time. Properly prepared panels are more resistant to dimensional movement, warping, surface irregularities, coating adhesion issues, and other conditions that can impact long-term performance. That’s why Ampersand uses a proprietary multi-step preparation process designed to create a smooth, stable foundation and help protect both the panel and the artwork it supports.

Q. Is the white back coated with gesso?

No. The white back is protected with Archiva-Seal™, but it is not coated with the same painting grounds found on the front of Gessobord, Aquabord, Claybord, Pastelbord, Scratchbord, or Encausticbord Museum Series panels.

Q. What are the benefits of Archiva-Seal™ protection on the back?

Extending Archiva-Seal™ protection to both sides helps create a stronger, more balanced panel while improving moisture resistance and long-term archival performance.

The white back also provides a dedicated, high-contrast surface for signatures, titles, provenance information, inventory tracking, and personalization.

Q. How can I identify a panel with the new white Archiva-Seal™ back?

Look for the temporary "Now Sealed on Both Sides Archiva-Seal™” sticker on the front packaging.

During the transition, both versions of Museum Series panels may be available and fully meet Ampersand's archival quality standards.

Q. Why does Ampersand use Archiva-Seal™ instead of a standard sealer?

Some wood painting panels on the market only rely on applying one or two coats of a commercially available sealer.

Ampersand takes a different approach. Our proprietary Archiva-Seal™ process begins with dual-filler fiber encapsulation technology that helps seal wood fibers and create a smooth, uniform foundation. An Archiva-Seal™ topcoat then forms a complete barrier between the wood substrate and painting grounds, followed by a high-heat curing process that creates a continuous coalesced film.

Because when it comes to archival artwork, the painting surface is only as good as the foundation beneath it.

Q. Why does panel preparation matter?

Wood is a natural material, and proper preparation helps create a stable foundation for artwork.

Without adequate preparation, wood fibers can raise, moisture can penetrate the panel, and compounds naturally present in the wood can affect painting layers over time. Poorly prepared panels may also be more susceptible to dimensional movement, surface irregularities, coating adhesion issues, and other conditions that can impact long-term performance.

No wood-based panel is completely immune to environmental factors. Excessive humidity, extreme temperature fluctuations, improper storage, or improper framing can affect a panel over time.

That's why Ampersand invests in a proprietary multi-step preparation process designed to create a smooth, stable foundation and help protect both the panel and the artwork it supports.

Q. What is Support Induced Discoloration (SID)?

Support Induced Discoloration (SID) occurs when contaminants naturally present in a support migrate into paint layers over time, causing discoloration.

Archiva-Seal™ forms a protective barrier between the wood substrate and painting ground to prevent this from occurring.

Q. Why does my panel look different from product photos online?

During the transition to two-sided Archiva-Seal™ protection, some product photography may show panels produced before the introduction of two-sided Archiva-Seal™ protection.

You may receive either version depending on inventory. Both are authentic Ampersand Museum Series panels and meet our archival quality standards.

Q. Can I request a specific version of a Museum Series panel?

During the transition, you may receive a Museum Series panel with or without the new two-sided Archiva-Seal™ preparation.

Because inventory is distributed through retailers, distributors, and warehouses, Ampersand cannot guarantee which version will be received with a particular order.

Both versions are authentic Ampersand Museum Series panels featuring the same professional artist surfaces trusted by artists for decades. Regardless of which version you receive, the quality of the painting surface unchanged.

Q. Why did Ampersand add Archiva-Seal™ protection to both sides?

Ampersand Museum Series panels have long featured Archiva-Seal™ technology as part of our proprietary wood preparation process. Advances in our coating technology now allow us to extend that same protection to both sides of the panel efficiently and consistently.

By applying Archiva-Seal™ protection to the back as well as the front, we create a more balanced panel while further enhancing moisture resistance, dimensional stability, and long-term archival performance.

The result is a panel that remains true to the professional artist surfaces Ampersand is known for while continuing our commitment to advancing the archival standard.

Q. Can I use the white back for signatures and artwork information?

Yes. The white Archiva-Seal™ back is perfect for signatures, titles, dates, provenance information, inventory tracking, collector notes, or personal messages. The white surface provides excellent contrast and visibility for documentation and personalization.