How do you mount your prints?

[Glenn M]

Dan asks: "... Do none size for the frame? Why overmat? The convention?"

Speaking only for myself, I do not size images or matboards to fit conventional sized frames, or for precut matboards. I crop images to suit an individual image, cut matboards to fit images (normally equally spaced all around, except sometimes allowing a bit more space on the bottom), and have frames made to fit the finished image/matboard sandwich. I'm not a believer in cropping to fit standards, nor always having only full frame images. The image is paramount, and not the frame or matboard size.

Prints are run leaving blank space all around so the matboards overlap. This allows space for taping image to mounting boards, and the overlapping matboards aides in keeping the photograph flat.

 

[Saganich]

After reading through this thread a few weeks ago I tried mounting some 16x20 and 11x 14 fiber prints without dry mounting using instead those plastic sticky corners. I've never tried this due to my fear of curly prints. I discovered that when framed using either 4 ply window with foam back or 4ply window and back with foam board as spacer, the prints were perfectly flat. However, when framed without the appropriate thickness of board enough pressure can not be created to keep the prints perfectly flat.

My preference is towards float mounting. When I compare the same print side by side (I often frame the same print both ways) I always prefer the float mount. I feel that it accounts for the photograph as an object and is visually less likely to interfere with the content then an over mount. Over mounting for me makes the image feel artificially truncated or incomplete whereas when I can see the actual cut boarders of the photograph it feels more complete too me.

For me the best way to display a photograph (and often I don't do this) is float mounted with about 3/4 inch around the top and sides with a bit extra on the bottom if you like to sign things there. The overall mat should be of equal space if possible on the top and sides with a 1/4 inch weight on the bottom. If equal space can not be achieved then at least 3 inches minimum on the short side of the window.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

I looked around for this article on "wheat paste", but I guess I need a little assistance in locating it.

Not sure of the article in question, but found this;

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Wheat-Paste

 

[panastasia]

http:www.superiorarchivalmats.com/sam/Article.html

This articles says that "dry mounted prints are better protected than ones that are only hinged or affixed with photo-corners. The dry-mount tissue acts as an additional barrier."

It also reads like an ad for ArtCare products.

 

[c6h6o3]

How do you assure absolute flatness?

I ask the question again, since no one in any credible position as a curator or gallery owner seems willing to answer it. I realize that my interest in this matter brands me as a poor photographer whose life is pathetically shallow and meaningless.

I went back to the Baltimore Museum of Art yesterday to look at the photography exhibit again. There is a magnificent Edward Weston print there alongside 2 others of lesser quality. The good one is a print of the famous Oceano Dunes image. It is floated in a window cut into the overmat. The borders between the overmat and the print are very thin, about 1/16" of an inch. However, the print is not dry mounted. If you look very closely you can see a gap between the print and the mat it's attached to. I don't know how it's attached, but you have to look very closely to notice because the print is so absolutely flat. There is not a crinkle, wrinkle, ding or dent anywhere on the surface of this breathtaking piece of photography (well actually, there is about a 1/8 sq. mm crumpling of the upper right corner, but you have to look very closely to see that too).

If I could reliably get prints that flat I'd give up dry mounting in a heartbeat. So, can anybody who knows how this is done tell me?

 

[Gene_Laughter]

I never dry mount. Linen tape hinge to rag backing board and window mat that's 1/2" wider than the image in each direction.

Cheers,

Gene

 

[bobwysiwyg]

This thread reminds me of one that crops up on a vintage motorcycle forum I belong to. "What oil is best for vintage bikes with wet clutches?"

I can appreciate going the extra mile, but I have 8x10 prints I dry mounted 30years ago. The look like they were done yesterday.