Mounting / Framing Large Prints

Ewan Hitchcoe

Ewan Hitchcoe

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ewan
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Hi.

I would really appreciate if someone who is experienced at this could talk me through their methods of mounting and framing or point me in the right direction of some decent tutorials on t'web.

I need to frame prints up to about 30'' x 20'' and can source mounts and frames at a decent price so would now like to be able to mount it to a professional standard.

I would preferably like it to be reversible if possible but my main criteria is that i would like it as flat / ripple free as possible. People seem to mention hinging quite often put dont really go into detail about how they go about it.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Ewan
 
Things you need - frame, print, cellotape, pencil, spray adhesive.

OK, start off with a very clean work area.

Separate the parts of the frame so you have the glass to one side, the back board in the centre, the frame off to the other side. Work in a well ventilated area.

The first step is to mark up the back board with where the image will sit - use the mount over the image to place the image in the right place on the backboard. Remove the mount and then mark the 4 corners of the image on the backboard.

You now need to spray the back board with the spray adhesive. Spray outside if you can. Spray first in lines in one direction, then in lines in the other direction. This will ensure there is enough spray.

next, spray the back of the image. Same method.

You can now take both backboard and image back to your work area and careful place the image within the lines you drew earlier. I always start at the top and ease the image downwards to the bottom. Use a lint free cloth carefully over the image to make sure that there are no ripples or bubbles.

There should be enough tackyness left on the remainder of the backboard to attach the mount.

Now move over to the glass, and place the backboard, image and mount over the glass. Pick up one side of the board/image/mount and hold the other side down, and then flick it over the glass so that any dust particles are blown out by the force of the air. Do this a couple of times, but don't over do it as you'll create static.

Now check that there are no dust particles or marks. Then attach a small piece of cellotape over the edges of the board/image/mount/glass so that about 3mm of cellotape goes onto the glass, attaching all elements together.

Place the board/image/mount/glass into the frame.

Finish the framing off.

Hang the image on the wall.

Hope that makes sense and works for you. It's so easy when you're actually doing it and used to doing it. But it isn't so easy to write it down.
 
thanks zoe, that was most helpful, and i think i understand pretty well.

I take it that once its spray mounted its gonna be pretty permanently attached to the backboard?

thanks again
 
You could say, yes LOL

Let me know how you get on.
 
I would agree with Zoe using a similar process, except i don't use a spray, i use a double sided acid free tape,I have been told acid free is a must for long term use, I place the double sided tape on the backing board, this gives good control when laying out the print, no sticky glue lying about. I also do the whole process in a well lighted place, this helps when trying to view for any marks or dust particals between glass and image before sealing.


However i would be interested in any other various methods...
 
Using the spray is what I was taught by someone in the industry for 30 years, so I'm guessing he knows what happens long term. The spray adhesive is the art one that you can buy from art suppliers (I think it's 3M)
 
I do not stick my prints to the backing board, but tape just the top edge to the mat and then stick the mat to the backing board with doubleside tape. The reason for this way is I find the photo can have movement when there is a temperature change.
If the photo is stuck to the back board you have different materiel bonded, and both move different to temperature.
I believe that artist do it like this as well.
 
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