THE FLATTEST ALTERNATIVE FOR MOUNTING LARGE FORMAT PHOTOGRAPHS & PRINTS!

If you like to print LARGE, you know that your prints can be quite expensive and cumbersome to frame. The cost of matboard, mounting board, moulding and glazing can quickly add up and traditional framing doesn't always offer the desired aesthetic for your larger work.  Even when properly framed and secured behind matboard and glazing, oversized prints have a tendancy to curl or buckle over time due to changes in environmental conditions, causing an undesirable and visible ripple and occasionally the need for re-framing. This issue is especially noticeable on prints made on gloss, semi-gloss and luster coated photo (RC) papers. Photographers, such as Ansel Adams, know that when it comes to mounting large format prints, Dry-Mounting & Cold-Mounting will keep your prints perfectly flat and secure for many years to come, without breaking the bank.

Mounting is an economical and aesthetically appealing alternative to presenting or displaying any size prints, large or small, matted or framed, or to stand alone with the backing.  This method works especially well when a bleed-mount is desired, that is, mounting a print which extends all the way to the boards edges.  Mounted art can be hung directly on the wall or suspended slightly to give a floating effect, negating the need for framing.  Mounting is also an affordable way to display your prints at your next gallery showing, allowing the buyer to make final decisions upon framing options.  

Mountings are possible on nearly any type of media and flat backing board imaginable.  If you are mounting photographs to be handled (as in a portfolio), Dry-Mount to matboard, which is lightweight and excellent for handling. If you will be hanging directly on the wall or will choose to mat and frame the mounted image, use a stiffer backing like DiBond, Sintra, foamcore, gatorboard or even wood. You can also consider whether viewers will see the backing, and if so, you can choose the appropriate color for your design.

DRY-MOUNTING

The Dry-Mounting method uses a heat activated adhesive tissue sandwiched between the photograph and a stiff backing board to achieve a permanent or semi-permanent bond.  To achieve a perfect bond we use the Bienfang 4468h vacuum press along with select heat-activated (HA) adhesive, depending on the the substrate used.  We also carry Artcare Restore & RagMount adhesives which both boast 100% acid free, lignin-free rag tissue carrier, Artcare Restore being the only adhesive on the market today that is not onlyremovable but also reversible and therefore considered of true Long-Term preservation standard, or"Archival".  Unlike standard tissue, a print Dry-Mounted with Artcare Restore can be completely removed from the substrate years later, in it's original state, without leaving behind any residual adhesive saturation in the substrate.

COLD-MOUNTING

When mounting to substrates which are non-porous (such as DiBond or Acrylic) or when mounting items which are heat sensitive, we utilize Cold Mounting techniques. Using the GBC SpireIII Roller Laminator (RL) in conjunction with pressure-sensitive (PS) adhesive film, we are able to create a strong, long-lasting bond without the use of heat, which can damage some sensitive pieces.  

We take the utmost care to offer you the highest quality materials, including acid-free mats, backing boards and mounting tissues, combined with an unrivaled level of personal service in order to ensure your mounted prints will boast the longevity they deserve.  Call us today @ 310.876.3933 to set-up an appointment.