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Do I need a back board when I have a mount board?

wiggywag

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Hi!

I dry mount my pictures onto a 100% acid free rag mat board (4-ply I think). I wonder, does this the job as a backing board as well when I frame it or should I use a foamboard as well as a backing board?

Thanks
 

asp.artist

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Yes, use a backing board to protect the back of the print. 4 ply mat board is fairly thin. It needs a bit more.
 
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wiggywag

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Yes, use a backing board to protect the back of the print. 4 ply mat board is fairly thin. It needs a bit more.

For a 26x23" frame, what kind of backing board do you suggest, which is also stiff enough?
 
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wiggywag

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when I have an acid free mount board (and a dry mount tissue as well) between the photo and the backboard, does the back board need to be archival/100%acid free?
 

RalphLambrecht

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when I have an acid free mount board (and a dry mount tissue as well) between the photo and the backboard, does the back board need to be archival/100%acid free?

Yes. Remember that all materials will be 'trapped' behind glass. The dry-mount tissue will act as a seal, but the print still has a large and vulnerable image surface. Some framers even add a barrier sheet between the mount and the backboard to protect from environmental gases.