Longridge mountcutters - q's for Les (and others)

[FrankB]

I'm looking at getting a Longridge mountcutter, as mentioned in Les's article in B&WP UK, and starting the whole rigmarole of mounting and matting my own prints. As you might expect I have a few novice questions:

• I'm wondering whether to get a Duo or a Duo Plus. I currently print up to 16x12 but may in future print a few 20x16s. It's very unlikely that I'll be printing any bigger than that. Would the extra length of the Duo Plus really be worth the extra outlay?
• Is a rotary trimmer essential? The Duo's both have the capability to do vertical cuts. Would this not do a good enough job?
• Again, do I really need a squaring arm with the Duo's built-in squaring facility?
• At the moment I'm squeegeeing my prints and leaving them to dry face down, resulting in minimal curl. Will photo corners and the matt be sufficient to hold the print flat? (I don't think I can run to a dry-mount press, even secondhand.)
• By how much does your matt overlap the edges of your print?
• (Okay, *real* newbie question alert!) Do you matt your print with the edges of the image covered or showing, or can it be done either way?!
• Can anyone recommend a good book on mounting and matting and general print presentation?

All help (as always) very gratefully received.

All the best,

Frank

 

[Les McLean]

I'm looking at getting a Longridge mountcutter, as mentioned in Les's article in B&WP UK, and starting the whole rigmarole of mounting and matting my own prints. As you might expect I have a few novice questions:

• I'm wondering whether to get a Duo or a Duo Plus. I currently print up to 16x12 but may in future print a few 20x16s. It's very unlikely that I'll be printing any bigger than that. Would the extra length of the Duo Plus really be worth the extra outlay?
  
  I'd suggest a Duo Plus it's worth the extra outlay.
• Is a rotary trimmer essential? The Duo's both have the capability to do vertical cuts. Would this not do a good enough job?
  
  The straight cutter on the Duo Plus is very efficient so you will not need a rotary trimmer.
  
• Again, do I really need a squaring arm with the Duo's built-in squaring facility?
  
  I believe Longridge are planning to introduce optional additions such as the squaring arm.
  
• At the moment I'm squeegeeing my prints and leaving them to dry face down, resulting in minimal curl. Will photo corners and the matt be sufficient to hold the print flat? (I don't think I can run to a dry-mount press, even secondhand.)
  
  I'd suggest that you place the dried prints under a few heavy books to further help in the flattening before you use corner mounts which will hold the prints firmly in place. I get my corner mounts from Silverprint.
  
• By how much does your matt overlap the edges of your print?
  
  I leave 10mm to 15mm of white photopaper base to sign when the print is sold but I overlap the print edge by about 2 to 3mm for lectures.
  
• (Okay, *real* newbie question alert!) Do you matt your print with the edges of the image covered or showing, or can it be done either way?!
  
  The choice is yours.
  
• Can anyone recommend a good book on mounting and matting and general print presentation?
  
  I don't know of a book but my suggstion would be to get the Duo annd study the CD that comes with it for some guidance. Thereafter just practice on scrap board.

All help (as always) very gratefully received.

All the best,

Frank

Hope this helps Frank, if you need more help PM me.

 

[FrankB]

Les, you're a diamond! I owe you (again!).