Dry Mounting RC prints

I did a search but did not find much mention on dry mounting RC prints. I have some prints that I want to dry mount but I have no experience with dry mounting (I'm trying to be more archivally aware with all my processes). I know that there is dry mount tissue for RC paper, but are there any bits of info that anyone can pass on that will keep me from ruining some very nice RC prints that I have.

Thans for any info.
Chuck

Hi
I have had good success with dry mounting RC prints with a press. I found a good time/temp is 30 seconds at 210 deg. with moderate pressure. I haven't burned one yet so I guess this is a good combination. I use Kodak Type 2 tissue.

The instructions on the Bienfang ColorMount tissue I use for RC prints recommends the temperature of the press to be set at 190 degrees F. Otherwise, the technique is much like other tissues used on fiber based prints. I've been using bienfang ColorMount and its Seal brand predecessor for about 20 years with complete satisfaction.

we dry mount RC prints all the time in our classes.

temp. about 200 for about 20 seconds depending on the humdity.

been doing this for over 15 years with the students and never an issue.

Practice with a few prints you dont care about.

Chuck1
I have some prints that I want to dry mount but I have no experience with dry mounting (I'm trying to be more archivally aware with all my processes)...

I am not sure dry mounting is good for long life of a photograph, even many here state opposite. One more problem I didi not mention befor is how you think to reframe your dry mounted photograps when you cannot remove it, or can do it with good cost and risk, and than dry mount again and set the same question again.

The best is acid free mat in front, acid free foam at the back (thick around 1/8), mechanical means to fix the photograph, no glass if no fly problem.

WWW.Leica-R.com

Technically, dry mounting is not considered to be an archival conservation method for the very reason that it can not be 100% reversed. The reason for 100% reversal is the mount board and mat board get contaminated with harmful pollutants over time and this allows them to be replaced with fresh components. If you use truly acid free, and buffered mounting board, the dry mounting procedure is properly done, and the image is a few inches from the edge of the mount board, it will take a long time before the photo starts to degrade if properly framed. Bainbridge Artcare foamboard and mat board is even better because it will actively neutralize acidic compounds entering the framing package.

T-hinging with Japanese rice paper, and wheat starch adhesive is about the only conservative method of mounting artwork. Unfortunately, it will not keep the image flat. A slight curl to an image is considered proper mounting to a museum collector. To the average consumer, it looks like a poor mount job.

Unless you are limited on space (like many selling in artshows), I recommend 3/16 foamcore as opposed to 1/8. It is just a lot less likely to warp. Less of an issue for 16x20 and smaller.

I have more info about picture frame mounting techniques here.

Cheers,
mark

Chuck1 said:

I did a search but did not find much mention on dry mounting RC prints. I have some prints that I want to dry mount but I have no experience with dry mounting (I'm trying to be more archivally aware with all my processes). I know that there is dry mount tissue for RC paper, but are there any bits of info that anyone can pass on that will keep me from ruining some very nice RC prints that I have.

Thans for any info.
Chuck

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RC prints can be overheated causing irreversible damage. It's recommended, when dry mounting these, to determine the optimum laminating temperature. This is done with wax crayons, or pellets, rated at specific temperatures (a go-no-go method) by finding the right wax that matches the target temperature (when the wax melts) for the material being laminated, then mark the press temperature setting. Always use the determined setting for future work with RC prints. You'll need to test for correct temperature only one time.

The wax strips were called temple sticks, I think, and should still be available, or something equivalent. I do remember these items were rather expensive for what they were - crayons.

Dry mounting with acid free materials poses no problems. It is reversable if done correctly.

Bienfang Buffermount is the only "archival" dry mount tissue I know of. Its what I use, as I prefer dry mount presentation. Per Volquartz uses it as well. (he turned me on to it)

Even so, other methods offer better "archivability" than any dry mount process.

If you are set on dry mount, Buffermount is the best bet.

Types of tissue for RC

Is there a real difference between dry mount tissues when it comes to dry mounting RC prints? I just bought a packet of Adorama Dry Mount tissue and got curling at the corners and edges and was difficult to tack. Very disappointing. The Colormount is much more expensive. Worth it?

Is there a type of tissue that is particularly suited for dry mounting?

Good Evening,

I've used only Colormount with RC and found it satisfactory. Regarding temperature: Seal used to make test strips to indicate the correct press temperature. They are helpful, especially because a press, over time, may not hold consistent temperatures, or the temperature gauge could be a bit off. Absent indicator strips, just take a scrap RC print, or a small portion of one, put it in the press at what you think is the correct temperature and for the correct time. If adherence is poor, tweak the temperature up a bit; if the test scrap shows signs of melting, dial the temperature back a bit. It's not at all tricky and won't need to be done every time if your press is in good condition. One other tip: RC paper is very susceptible to showing small bumps from any foreign matter between the print and the mount board, so be sure that everything is clean. Use release paper, of course, to keep any adhesive off the platen. (Cleaning a platen is no fun!)

Konical

I've recently noticed faint discoloration of Light Impressions rag mount board near the edge of floating RC prints dry mounted with Colormount years ago. Now I print on oversize paper that extends under the window mat to prevent this.

JBrunner said:

Bienfang Buffermount is the only "archival" dry mount tissue I know of. Its what I use, as I prefer dry mount presentation. Per Volquartz uses it as well. (he turned me on to it)

Even so, other methods offer better "archivability" than any dry mount process.

If you are set on dry mount, Buffermount is the best bet.

Click to expand...

Best? Perhaps, as long as you can control the environment of the finished print. BufferMount is well known to release on its own at moderately high temperature – that is its strength (and purpose) archivally, and its weakness as a mounting tissue. I have have had prints mounted with BufferMount release in their frames when direct sunlight hits the glazing and heats up the air trapped between it and the print. I have returned to mounting prints larger than 20X24 *permanently* with (roll) MT5, as reattachment with large works is just too problematic. BufferMount cannot be claimed to be "archival" if it fails to secure the print. Large fiber based photographic prints simply will not appear, to most, to be finished properly if hinge–mounted, a technique which, if panned for accordingly, I otherwise endorse. In this case, practical outcomes outweigh theoretical expectations of archival–ness.

ColorMount is adequate for RC prints. As previously stated, 180ºF, is recommended. 20ºF – 30ºF cooler than fiber, wherever that is on your particular press. Practice with rejected prints. Release papers are totally unnecessary for B/W photographic prints. Simply sandwich the print/tissue/mount package between two clean pieces of mat board. This time–honored technique has the great advantage of dispersing heat from the platten evenly.

I believe, it's worth a reminder at this point that one only heats the tissue sufficiently to melt the adhesive. Adhesion occurs as the tissue cools, assisted greatly under weight.

...for more see Print Presentation

podin04 said:

Is there a real difference between dry mount tissues when it comes to dry mounting RC prints? I just bought a packet of Adorama Dry Mount tissue and got curling at the corners and edges and was difficult to tack. Very disappointing. The Colormount is much more expensive. Worth it?

Is there a type of tissue that is particularly suited for dry mounting?

Click to expand...

This appears to be one case where it is worth sticking with brand names, Seal–Bienfang. Generic knock–offs can be hit and miss. I remember this particularly with the Arista tissues. It may not be so much an issue of quality as the conditions under which tissues are stored, drying them out.

Tacking iron use seems to be somewhat of an art in itself. It should be heated just enough to allow the tissue to melt underneath as the iron is moved, under the weight of the iron itself. Tissue that refuses to melt should be discarded.

I've never cared for the look of drymounted RC's, especially the glossy variety. The heat makes the
print conform to the texture of the mouting board ("orangepeel"). So-called archival mount tissues
with alkaline buffering are largely meaningless. Their low-temp bonding just increases the change of delaminating if storage or display temps get esp warm, and the buffering is totally redundant. Ordinary Colormount is a bit of an acid barrier anyway, and the nature of the substrate itself is
way more important. A lot of BS out there on this topic. Nobody I know of has lost a potential print
sale or has had a significant images turned down by a museum because it was drymounted. But
RC prints aren't all that permanent anyway. I prefer to cold mount color prints, but that requires
more skill than drymounting.

To OP:

I have some spare mount board and Bienfang ColorMount tissue. I can either send you some if you have your own hot press, or I can try mounting one here, if you tell me what kind of RC paper you are talking about.

PM me if interested.

DREW WILEY said:

I've never cared for the look of drymounted RC's, especially the glossy variety. The heat makes the
print conform to the texture of the mouting board ("orangepeel").

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True enough with color glossy resin prints. Pebble and matte B&W RC mount up just fine. I have 30+ year old one hanging in my bathroom. Although I don't consider it to be a fine art print, it shows virtually no signs of aging or dry mount disruption, other than almost imperceptible fading of its cheap wood pulp mat.

ROL said:

I have have had prints mounted with BufferMount release in their frames when direct sunlight hits the glazing and heats up the air trapped between it and the print.

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If you're hanging glazed prints in direct sunlight, the mounting tissue releasing is the least of your worries.

ROL said:

BufferMount cannot be claimed to be "archival" if it fails to secure the print.

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I certainly can't speak to your specific problem, but I've used this product for many years and on literally hundreds of prints. Never once has there been a problem when this product is used correctly. And as far as it being removable, I've had several instances where people have damaged the mounting board and the print has been saved by removing it and remounting. Had I used Colormount, it would not have been possible.

Edit** I just noticed this thread pertains to dry mounting of RC prints. There is nothing archival about RC prints, so the point is mute.**