This paper describes alternatives to lining paintings. A number of specific treatment procedures used by the authors are discussed. The main point is that local mending and gradual flattening should be approached systematically. It is also important to educate curators and owners of paintings to think in terms of periodic inspection and maintenance, and minimal treatment of problems as they develop. Environmental conditions must be given greater weight if unlined paintings respond more rapidly to environmental changes. Finally, the trend toward minimal treatment can be taken to extremes, and this should be avoided.