Mounting Prints

A Guide to Mounting Prints

Why should prints be mounted?

• The enhance the image and protect it from damage

• To enable it to be displayed on our print stand. N.B. Only mounted prints can be entered for competition.

What materials are required?

• Mountboard • Backing board or stiff card

• ‘Spray mount’ adhesive • Framers tape (or masking tape)

What tools are required?

• Tape measure or ruler • A sharp bladed cutting knife

• Straightedge • Protective mat (to avoid damaging surfaces)

• A mat cutter if using ‘window mounts’

General considerations

• Select a colour for the mountboard that enhances the image – often a colour that that picks up something contained within the image is best.

• Decide on the size of the mount and the widths of the borders. Many prefer the border at the bottom to be slightly larger than those at the top and sides. N.B Try to restrict the size of the mount to 500mm x 400mm as that is the maximum size allowed for many competitions and inter-club battles.

• Decide whether surface mounting or ‘window’ mounting suits the image best. Surface mounting is simpler and more economical but, in the eyes of many, is less attractive.

Surface Mounting

• Spray the rear of the print with an even layer of ‘Spray Mount’ and put to one side for 1 – 2 minutes to become tacky.

• Place a rule or straightedge where the bottom of the print is to sit on the mount.

• Carefully butt the lowest edge of the print against the rule, checking that it is in the right place in relation to the sides.

• Smooth the print down, using a roller or pad of cloth, to ensure that it is in close contact with the mounting board all over.

Window Mounting

• Mark the width of the borders on the reverse of the piece of board that is to become the ‘window’.

• Using a special mat cutter and straightedge follow the marked guidelines around all four sides of the rear of the piece.

• Carefully remove the centre section to reveal the window.

• Place a strip of framers tape along the back of the top of the print.

• Carefully position the window over the print and gently firm the window against the adhesive side of the framers tape. The print should now be supported at the top but hanging freely.

• Take a piece of backing board (or waste mounting board) of the appropriate size and position this over the entire rear of the print – not necessarily the mount. Fix the backing to the window piece using strips of framers tape.

Labelling / Identifying Prints

• The rear of the print should clearly state, at the top left or top right hand corner:

. The title of the print

. The name of the author

. The competition section that the print is being entered for.

• This information should ideally be printed on a label. In any event is must be shown legibly in a colour that contrasts from that of the rear of the mount.