Two sided tape: Has anyone had experience using removable two-sided tape to mount photos affixed to foamboard to a painted plywood surface? I’ve been displaying my photos for extended...

mrtkarlin Loc: Ashland, Oregon

Has anyone had experience using removable two-sided tape to mount photos affixed to foamboard to a painted plywood surface? I’ve been displaying my photos for extended periods this way using press in picture hangers and nails for several years, but am thinking about moving to tape. Any thoughts? Thanks.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Try it for one of your presentations and see what happens. Doesn't have to be a large presentation. You might even try it in private.

Rtaylor Loc: Pleasanton ca

It is a 3M product and works very well. I am a fan of 3M products they always seem to do the job only a little better.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

When I mat prints, I use a backer. The prints are attached to the backer with a couple of small pieces of archival double sided tape. Then I mount the cut mat to the backer with a couple of small pieces of the tape.
Just be very careful of the alignment, the tape is usually NOT easily removable without putting puckers in the print where the tape is attached. The mats go in frames.

I would definitely NOT use the double sided tape to mount something to a wall. 3M I think, makes a "putty like" material for doing that, which is removable. There are also "removable hangers". I'll stick with the nails & hanger brackets (with a bracket on a frame) for walls. I did have a removable hanger fail once and had glass to clean up...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I did many (~30) years ago. I mounted prints and cardboard border to a backing for hanging. I found it didn't last, the tape lost some "stickyness".

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Longshadow wrote:

When I mat prints, I use a backer. The prints are ... (show quote)

I use Blu Tack when framed photos don't want to stay level.

mrtkarlin Loc: Ashland, Oregon

Thanks for all your thoughts. In general, reviews of tape have been all over the place. I have a 3x5 foot sheet of plywood on my wall painted black that I mount 20 or so pictures once a yearish. If 2 or 3 fell off during that time I know corners would get dinged. On the other hand using removable tape makes it easier to layout the board because banging in nails vibrates the board and causes pictures to fall off during initial placement. None of these issues are a big deal. Just considering alternatives.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Longshadow wrote:

When I mat prints, I use a backer. The prints are ... (show quote)

I recently had the chance to assist a kid on removing pictures taped to walls.
They get (depending on the tape) kinda "attached" to their locale.
Using thin fishing string - or dental floss for those with teeth - in a sawing motion will help.

mrtkarlin Loc: Ashland, Oregon

Harry0 wrote:

I recently had the chance to assist a kid on removing pictures taped to walls.
They get (depending on the tape) kinda "attached" to their locale.
Using thin fishing string - or dental floss for those with teeth - in a sawing motion will help.

Good thought. Some have suggested a hair dryer

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Harry0 wrote:

I recently had the chance to assist a kid on removing pictures taped to walls.
They get (depending on the tape) kinda "attached" to their locale.
Using thin fishing string - or dental floss for those with teeth - in a sawing motion will help.

Good to know!
Kinda like cutting cheesecake the right way.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

mrtkarlin wrote:

Good thought. Some have suggested a hair dryer

Softens the adhesive.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Longshadow wrote:

When I mat prints, I use a backer. The prints are ... (show quote)

Do you get buckling on your prints using your method? In my experience using water activated archival tape, and making T hinges to mount the print to the backing mat prevents buckling because it does not constrict the print or the mat from expanding/contracting from changes in relative humidity. The hinge is attached to the print at the top border, about 1/4" from the edge. Being water activated it is a simple matter to gently moisten the tape and remove it if re-mounting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SgIJhs_6kE

tcthome Loc: NJ

Gene51 wrote:

Do you get buckling on your prints using your meth... (show quote)

Thanks!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Gene51 wrote:

Do you get buckling on your prints using your meth... (show quote)

Not that I've noticed over the years. Mats are mounted in frames.
Physically and logically the expansion scenario is true.
Noticeable? not yet for mine...
I just use archival tape,a small strip on two sides, within the white border to attach the print to the backer board. Then about a half inch double sided tape to attach the cut mat to the backer board in four places.
The print & boards will both expand and contract with humidity, but probably not at the exact same rate. Close enough though, not worried.
Life is simple.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

If I tape, I tape to the mat so that the tape is on the back of the photo paper. I don't think I'd ever tape a picture directly to the background. And yes, I have had difficulty with photo paper buckling after awhile. There is a new tape out there called Alien Tape. I haven't seen it in the stores yet, but supposedly it will hold "forever."