PictureCorrect.com: How to Mount and Frame Your Own Photo Prints (Video Tutorial)

It can get pretty pricey having your prints mounted and framed. Commercial photographer Tony Roslund shows us how we can skip going to the photo lab by mounting and framing prints ourselves:

(for those of you reading this by email, the video tutorial can be seen here)

If you have a photo printer at home and want to know how to mount your prints on foamcore, Roslund takes you through a process you can do yourself that is very similar to what they do in a lab.

The larger the print, the harder it is to mount, so you might want to start with an 8×10 or 11×14.

Supplies

• Varnish—something like Moab Desert Varnish
• Foamcore—Roslund uses Gatorboard, Sintra Board, or any kind of substrate
• Pressure-sensitive adhesive—has release paper on one side and is tacky on the inside. This is your mounting material.
• Brayer—to roll over and press the print down
• X-Acto knife—make sure it’s sharp because a dull knife will created jagged edges
• Varnish—something like Moab Desert Varnish
• Point gun and framer’s points—like a staple gun; to hold the substrate to the frame
• Mounting hardware—framing wire and eye hooks work well

Instructions

1. Apply the varnish to your print to add a protective layer. Don’t worry, it won’t change texture or color. Spray the print in a well-ventilated area.

2. Roll out the pressure-sensitive paper, tacky side up. You can use a straight-edge to hold down the one side so it doesn’t curl up.

3. Make sure your substrate is clean before you apply it to the material. You can use canned air or an air compressor. If you skip this step, you could end up with dust and dirt between the substrate and adhesion material, which can show through on the print.

4. Line-up the edge of the substrate with the paper. Do this slowly and carefully so it’s lined up perfectly, then press it down on the adhesive paper firmly. Trim the excess paper around the substrate.

5. Use the brayer to roll out the paper. It doesn’t really matter if there are air bubbles, but you want to make sure the adhesion is pressed firmly onto the substrate.

6. Tear off or fold one edge of the adhesive material. This will give you a sticky edge so you can begin to mount the print. You don’t want to take off the whole paper because, again, dust can stick to the adhesive material.

7. Line-up and apply the edge of your print to the sticky edge of your substrate. Take your time; this needs to be flawless. If the leading edge goes on crooked, the rest of the print won’t line up.

8. Peel back the release paper in sections and slowly mount your print. As you expose the adhesive material a little bit at a time, use your brayer to roll down your print. Be sure not to crease the print as you hold it up. Keep peeling and rolling in sections.

9. Once the print is fully mounted, roll out any air bubbles and trim the edges.

10. Frame it! Hopefully it fits into your frame perfectly. Use your point gun to staple the frame to hold the substrate in place, then apply the mounting hardware.

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Article from: PictureCorrect

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