Mounting Photo Prints: I have some 16" x 20" photos that I wan to frame. I plan on using a simple black frame and a white mat. Question is what is the best way to mount the photo...

CaptainPhoto

I have some 16" x 20" photos that I wan to frame. I plan on using a simple black frame and a white mat. Question is what is the best way to mount the photo before placing it in the frame? Should I just place it loosely in the frame with some sort of rigid backing or actually glue the photo to a rigid backing? If I glue it what is the best type of glue to use? How do the PROS do it?

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

The pros used to use dry mount tissue and a hot press back in the day. You used a tack iron to set the corners, then put it into a dry mount press.

That has somewhat fallen out of fashion, as the process is irreversible and no longer considered archival. Personally I use what is referred to as "conservation mounting"

Here's a good article on the topic, with pros and cons of each method.

https://photographyspark.com/the-art-of-mounting-and-framing-photos/

Best of luck!
Andy

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

Thanks for the article. Perfect timing - I just bought a bunch of frames on sale and plan to frame some of my favorite photographs.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

I simply center my photos and use painters tape on the corners and center. its easy and cheap and ive never had one to move afterward while hanging and if you decide to remove the print it can be done without damage

CaptainPhoto

Thanks Andy
A very helpful article. From there I found some how-to about Gator Foam Board.

grandpaw

I use double stick tape only on the top of the photo and nowhere else. This gives the print room to expand and contract without causing wrinkles or buckets in the print. Nothing like getting it sealed up and noticing waves in the print. Grandpaw

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

CaptainPhoto wrote:

I have some 16" x 20" photos that I wan to frame. I plan on using a simple black frame and a white mat. Question is what is the best way to mount the photo before placing it in the frame? Should I just place it loosely in the frame with some sort of rigid backing or actually glue the photo to a rigid backing? If I glue it what is the best type of glue to use? How do the PROS do it?

There are many different ways to do what you want and lots of info online about the different ways. I use archival art tape to adhere the print to the back mat board in some cases and other times to the inside of the top mat board. I tape across the back of the print, and the tape usually has lots of room without touching anywhere near the printed part itself, and then only a strip down the sides near the top after ensuring that the print is in the mat correctly where I want it. You need to leave the print "room to breath" so do not tape all around it. Lay the mats so that they are facing together and then you can put tape across the top to hold them together over the print.

I recently matted and framed six prints from a Venice trip and for those, for my own home, I applied backing paper so that my mats would not get dust on them. I used tape to adhere the paper down to the frame. I hate when dust gets into the mat and you can see it on the mat under the glass. I use brown paper, like "butcher" paper, to do this.

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

AndyH wrote:

The pros used to use dry mount tissue and a hot pr... (show quote)

Andy, in the old days we did dry mount and I still do. But the tack iron was to secure the print to the backer board, and it was done just in the center. If you did the corners there was a good chance there would be buckling. Today, there are dry mount tissues that are reversible, and there are tissues with a barrier that makes them totally archival.

But my preferred approach is conservation mounting, using rice starch glue and water-activated linen tape.

grandpaw

grandpaw wrote:

I use double stick tape only on the top of the photo and nowhere else. This gives the print room to expand and contract without causing wrinkles or buckets in the print. Nothing like getting it sealed up and noticing waves in the print. Grandpaw

I want to correct what I said. The double stick tape is for the brown paper you use to seal the back. Use single stick tape for mounting the print to the Matt.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Gene51 wrote:

Andy, in the old days we did dry mount and I still do. But the tack iron was to secure the print to the backer board, and it was done just in the center. If you did the corners there was a good chance there would be buckling. Today, there are dry mount tissues that are reversible, and there are tissues with a barrier that makes them totally archival.

But my preferred approach is conservation mounting, using rice starch glue and water-activated linen tape.

That’s what I do these days, too.

I was taught to tack the top two corners first. Always wondered why.

Andy

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

3M makes acid free Scotch Tape for art craft use. Acid in the adhesives on non art tape will eventually leech into your media and ruin your prints. Here's the Amazon page:

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=acid+free+tape+for+framing&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=198200231018&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2994806168352246610&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061104&hvtargid=kwd-316983631858&ref=pd_sl_4rnbbi27d0_e

wildweasel

I still use dry mount and tack the center. As someone else stated, there are a lot of different dry mount tissues available.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Here's a video that very simply explains the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=116UJ1m71sM
--Bob

CaptainPhoto wrote:

I have some 16" x 20" photos that I wan to frame. I plan on using a simple black frame and a white mat. Question is what is the best way to mount the photo before placing it in the frame? Should I just place it loosely in the frame with some sort of rigid backing or actually glue the photo to a rigid backing? If I glue it what is the best type of glue to use? How do the PROS do it?

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

I mount, mat and frame photos for sale and gallery display and use archival mat material for both the mount backing an the overmat. I use a 3M acid-free double-faced adhesive material designed for the application and is available on rolls and comes in 2 widths (Amazon). I apply the adhesive material to the entire back of the photo using a plastic squeegee, then mount the photo to the backing board using a roller to avoid damaging the photo. I have used spray adhesives as well but the adhesive sheets work much better. I have many photos mounted this way several years ago with absolutely no problems, no bubbles or lifted corners. This is a permanent mounting solution so the photo cannot be removed from it’s backing.

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

unless you are going to do a lot of framing and can buy the point driver, dust cover., etc....take it to Michaels.or..I use a local framing shop and I give her a signed print that she can sell in her shop for her services. I pick up good frames at yard sales for peanuts.