Accepting Your Materials
All objects that enter one of our conservation laboratories for conservation treatment will be logged in and processed by the registrar or office personnel. The client material will be assigned a shop work order (SWO) number and a project folder will be created containing the description of the object, storage location(s), signed receipt form and eventually the detailed treatment proposal(s) and a signed approval form. All projects require formal client approval before treatment can be scheduled and performed. Objects are scheduled for conservation treatment in the order in which approvals are received. It is the responsibility of the client to declare a value in writing for any object delivered to an ECS facility.
Please download and read this PDF and have the completed form accompany your order. 
Documentation
Full written and photographic documentation before and after treatment is standard procedure in the conservation labs. Digital photographic equipment is currently in use, and strobe lights provide consistent illumination. The objects are photographed at very high resolution, reviewed immediately to ensure quality, and stored on a RAID server. Client image files are backed up on secondary media for redundancy. Photographs of client material are made available to the client and not shared with any third party.
Examination
Each object received by our conservation labs will undergo a comprehensive evaluation. A treatment proposal is developed based upon the needs of the object and the parameters outlined by the client. The proposed treatment is designed to ensure the long-term preservation of the object using current techniques and proven conservation materials. Receipt of the contract signed by the client is presumed to indicate approval for treatment. Any modifications in the original treatment proposal which significantly alters the approach to conservation treatment will be discussed with the client prior to being carried out.
Final Treatment
Detailed information about all treatment procedures and all materials used or applied to an object are recorded by the conservator. Upon completion of treatment, a final treatment report is written, and an archival copy accompanies the object back to the client. The final treatment report consists of a listing of the treatments performed, the materials used in treatment, the name and location of the facility which performed the treatment, the month and year in which the treatment was performed, and photographs of the item after treatment if the client so requests. The project(s) undergo a two step inspection process by senior conservation staff to ensure all aspects of the treatment proposal have been fulfilled. Treatment reports are reviewed and craftsmanship is evaluated to guarantee that the treatment meets professional standards and will pass peer review. No object is returned to the client without passing a two stage in-house inspection. An invoice is submitted to the client indicating the work has been completed and is ready for pick up or for return delivery.
For additional information please review our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.
For information on how to pack your materials for shipment to ECS, please read this PDF.
