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Which are the best mounting techniques for art framing?


The defining piece on how to mount photographs in a space


A high-quality photo deserves to be displayed properly. The tools you’ll need to do so are mounting and framing tools.


Display isn’t the only thing when it comes to mounting photos. Performing the most accurate mounting techniques can help protect a photograph from acidic air conditions and from the wall that it’s hanging on itself.


A number of techniques have been produced with which a photograph can be hung. Each of these different techniques makes use of different materials as well as yields different results. There are a few variables that dictate which mounting technique should be used for it; how the photo is printed, the desired display options, and the importance of the photo itself.


Having knowledge of each of these different techniques and knowing the pros and cons that go with them, gives one more options with which to mount your piece.


Why does a person need to mount their own pieces?


Framing and mounting photos correctly gives one much more display options that using standard frames. Utilizing a combination of mount, mat, and frame is a part of the expression of the photo that’s being displayed. It helps separate the photo from surrounding room features and adds artistic quality to it as well.


We could help you mount your photography correctly, but it never hurts to learn how to do something yourself. As soon as you have the correct tools and materials, it becomes immediately less expensive than hiring someone to do so for you.


You can even mix it up a little bit and add your own creative twist by using combinations of different mats and frames to see how they add to the artistic feel of the piece.


What is the difference between framing and mounting?


There are a few technical terms one must understand before they start really exploring the world of framed art and displaying photos. We know it seems simple but there is more to it that simply picking a frame, placing a photo inside, and putting it on a nail in the wall.


Framing and mounting are two totally different parts that lead to the same end result.


Remember that photos that have been printed on paper. The aim of mounting is to prevent this and provide photos with a solid foundation by sticking them to a firm backing. Mounted photography is more easily handled for framing and matting with there also being less risk of inflicting damage to the print.


Matting and mounting also allows photographers to have more options when it deals with frame sizes. Instead of having to make a photograph fit into standard frame sizes or only having standard frame sizes to choose from, mounted photographs can be inserted into much larger frames - or in frames with much larger dimensions - by cutting the mounting board so that it fits the frame.


What are a few mounting techniques?


The materials and method used when mounting a photos depends on a number of different variables.such as; tools and materials available, convenience, cost, and photo characteristics.






Conservation mounting is the process of using materials and techniques which provide protection to framed works of art on paper and preserving them from this aging process.


This technique’s entire purpose is to protect photographs against any damage and to preserve them for long periods of time. Most of these photos don’t have to be mounted and framed using strict conservation guidelines while also knowing that the options for conservation framing and mounting can help one with the protection of photos of great professional and personal importance.


One can make use of less-expensive mounting techniques for photos that won’t be displayed for long periods of time.


What are the pros of Conservation Mounting?

  • Conservation mounting helps protect a display from UV exposure and acid contact

  • It is suitable for a number of different art forms

  • It is reversible

  • It will protect a piece of art for a very long time


What are the cons of Conservation Mounting?


  • It is time consuming

  • It is expensive


What is Dry Mounting?





Dry mounting is the process by which a print is bonded to a mount using archival adhesive. This works for presenting artwork to the highest standard. This form of mounting works well with water sensitive artwork, posters, and photos.One would rarely see this method used with fine artwork.


One way this method of mounting can be used is by utilizing a heating press to adhere the image or artwork to the backing board. Be wary though, as this method can damage paintings. Vacuum presses can also be used in this way - just without the heat.


What are the pros of Dry Mounting?


One of the pros of using dry mounting is that it removes tiny creases and wrinkles from both the effects of cocking and the artwork itself. The produced from the mounting process allows one to flatten works that might buckle or wrinkle.


Aside from that, dry mounting also makes for a great display.


What are the cons of Dry Mounting?


The cons of dry mounting are:


  • They take up quite a bit of space

  • There are more materials that must be purchased, such as dry mount tissue

  • There is a limit to the size the dry mount can perform presses on

  • The press itself is fairly heavy and expensive

  • Acid free corners can also be used, in some cases, to add to the level of protection that dry mounting provides






Pressure sensitive mounting essentially uses a pressure sensitive adhesive that is applied via a one- or two-sided substrate that is made of cloth, paper, plastic, or metal, that bonds two surfaces together directly with very little pressure being needed. The adhesives that pressure sensitive mounting uses are typically made of large polymer molecules.


To apply the adhesive, all that one has to do is remove the protective lining, apply the substrate with the adhesive side exposed, to the surface that requires the bonding.


What are the pros of Pressure Sensitive Mounting?


A few pros of Pressure Sensitive Mounting are:

  • It bonds various substrates

  • It uses thinner and lighter materials

  • It is tailored to the application


What are the cons of Pressure Sensitive Mounting?


A few cons of Pressure Sensitive Mounting are:

  • It’s only meant to be used for temporary mounting since the adhesive used isn’t very strong

  • The art that is being mounted can’t be very heavy due to the lack of strength the adhesive has


What is Wet Mounting?




If you’re looking for a permanent mounting process, then wet mounting is the way to go. It is a process that uses a liquid glue to adhere the frame. One would apply the glue to a backing board, then the artwork would be applied to the glued-on surface. The, the piece is placed into a vacuum press, with heat not being on, to flatten the art completely.


What are the pros of Wet Mounting?


  • It doesn’t use heat


What are the cons of Wet Mounting?


  • Air bubbles can get trapped

  • Since the glue is wet it can warp the back of the painting






Spray mounting is a cleaner alternative to wet mounting. All that one has to do to use Wet Mounting is place the artwork upside down and apply the adhesive. When you use this method, one must make sure to spray the tops, sides, and bottom edges of the piece before it is placed onto the mounting board. You can smooth down the edges carefully using your hand once it’s in position.


What are the pros of Spray Adhesive Mounting?

  • It helps minimize waste since one can control the amount of spray adhesive you use

  • It’s portable - or much more so than others


What are the cons of Spray Adhesive Mounting?


  • It can be difficult to reposition the photograph once it’s in place

  • You must be in a well-ventilated area when using this method





Float mounting is a method used to raise the art a little bit above the mat; this makes it appear as if the piece is floating.


What are the pros of Float Mounting?


  • No part of the image is covered - you can see the entire image

  • You can use a combination of a variety of different uncut mat board blanks to make the image pop


What are the cons of Float Mounting?


  • It can take a bit longer to perform this method of photo mounting

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