What material do you print to for large framed prints?

[Me²]

I have printed several photos out to mount in various frames over the last couple of years, some quite large up to around 1m wide. I've been relatively happy but can't say I've been over the moon with the results of anything I've tried yet and wondered what others use. I really want to be wowed rather than just regular old satisfied I suppose.

I've tried the usual photo paper options which I quickly realised (especially for larger frames) all suffer from saggy-ness (it's a word!) and rippling over time, then I moved to stiffer options, specifically Loxley's lustre print on 2000 micron card and 2mm Card Display Board from SuperSizePrint. The latter being cheaper than Loxley for essentially the same thing but with, to my eye at least, slightly better print quality - much to my surprise given Loxely's reputation.

The 2mm Card Display Board is therefore what I'm currently using and is what is keeping me just regular old satisfied, but I want to progress nearer to the wowed end of the scale.

Whenever I find myself near a John Lewis I find myself drawn to the framed prints in there and can't help but think they somehow look so much better. I've always gone for a lustre/matte finish with reflection issues in mind but wonder if maybe a gloss print might be more pleasing, or perhaps some lamination options - satin for example - and that perhaps reflection worries aren't really an issue?

I've a print to do at 950mm x 470mm which will cost me £29.61+ postage through SSP to Card Display Board 2mm thick. That's my starting point so wonder what other members of the forum might use for similar purposes - particularly those who are extremely happy with the results they're getting

 

[SFTPhotography]

I print on gloss paper. Biggest I've done is 24x16 and they look great.

 

[mho]

We print on a variety of papers, from Epson, Ilford, Permajet, Hahnemuhle. Sagging / rippling is usually a sign of incorrectly framed prints and/or the wrong materials used in the framing process.

 

[Me²]

The frames and mounts are made for me - I just stick the print in the frame back behind the mount and go. So properly secured (with Scotch Mounting Tape) paper shouldn't be a problem at larger sizes?

Would you tape it to the back board of the frame or to the back of the mount?

 

[mho]

in a properly framed print you have the Matte then the print which is hinged to the undermount, then behind that the backing board, The Matte is hinged along its longest edge to the undermount. If all is correctly done large prints can be mounted in this way with no problems at all. if you look in one of the other posts in this forum someone has put a video up for how to mount correctly.

 

[Me²]

I clearly know very little about 'properly framing' it seems. Thanks Mark.

I've just got Glen at @Tradecanvasprint to send me a sample - I think that's the best way to decide on a paper I'm happy with.