Normally Chinese paper is very smooth, but because, it has shorter fibers than the Japanese kozo papers, once weak areas start creasing, all the forces are concentrated at these areas. This causes more severe creases. Once cracks or creases occur, fibers break, and the creases progress into serious ridges. Stiffness of the scroll from the adhesive used for mounting is another cause of the fibers losing flexibility and breaking. Because the edges of the creases are higher, they get abraded more by rubbing against the back of the scroll, when it is rolled up.
Creases also occur from the edges of the reinforcement strips added in the previous restoration.
Horizontal creases of hand scrolls occur from improper handling, such as a hand squeezing the scroll as it is unrolled. Examine the painting with raking light to see if the silk or paper fragments are becoming detached from the backing paper. The conservators may have to perform emergency treatment before those fragments flake off or disappear. Unsecured fragments may have to be temporarily re-adhered even before photos are taken, if the painting is to be photographed in an upright position. Detachment of silk or paper support results from separation or de-lamination of the backing layers.