This article is an illustrated workflow of how to mount your prints using pre-cut mounts that are available from Penryn Camera Club or your own supplier. It uses the “T” Fixing method (other styles are available). Any queries ring Derek on 07788590141.
The example shown uses an A3 print made by DS Colour Labs https://www.dscolourlabs.co.uk from an image created by PCC Member Mark Quilter. These A3 prints are typically larger on the height of a landscape format print and hence would need trimming back down to true A3 size. However it was not necessary to do this with this print hence the narrow blank white space at the top of the print.
Step 1
Organise your workspace – a large, clean flat surface is essential and items required as follows: A pencil, a sharp blade/knife of some sort (Health & Safety - user Beware!)
You will need the following accessories – Masking Tape, Double-sided tape, (optional) ph Neutral fixing tape for archival prints.
Step 2
Lay out the mount and the backing board adjacent to each other in order to create a “hinge” between the two as shown. NB the backing board will be slightly smaller all round and you must ensure that when aligned the backing board will NOT protrude beyond the Mount.
Once aligned leaving a small gap – say 1mm - use the masking tape to fix them together.
Now repeatedly fold the backing board over the mount and if necessary physically move it to ensure a good alignment. Once correctly aligned use a piece of scrap board and firm hand pressure to press down on the joint and fix it in place.
Step 3
Align the print under the mount with a (paper) weight as shown and move the print until it is visually aligned with no edges showing inside the mount. Repeat by flipping the mount over the print and “eyeball” the alignment several times to make absolutely sure the print does not protrude beyond the mount.
Step 4
Once happy with the alignment and without moving the print, take your pencil and mark the two top corners and the bottom positions of the print on the backing board.
Step 5
Remove the print and put aside. Cut 4 pieces of Tape approx 2in/5cm long (Optional ph Neutral or other suitable tape such as the double-sided tape) in order to make a “T” fixing of the print to the backing board. Affix the sticky side to the BACK of the print roughly a quarter of the way across the print and repeat on the other side of the print.
Using clean scrap card apply pressure to the print adjacent to the tapes to ensure they are firmly affixed.
Now take the print back to the Mount/Backing Board assembly and position it aligned with the previously marked pencil lines. Complete the fixing of the print to the backing board using the remaining pre-cut tapes and creating the “T” whilst fixing it permanently in place. Again apply pressure to the tape/backing board to ensure adhesion.
IMPORTANT – once again repeatedly flip the mount over the print to make sure that the print is correctly aligned with no print edge showing as per Step 3.
Step 6
Using the double-sided tape cut 3 lengths to suit the open sides of the backing board and affix them just inside the outside edge leaving a small gap.
As the next step is virtually semi-permanent just finally be happy that everything is aligned correctly by flipping the mount over the print.
Now remove the backing layer of the double-sided tape.
And finally, carefully flip the mount over gradually applying pressure from the hinge side of the mount using the scrap card/paper in order to firmly affix the mount and backing board together and AVOID MARKING THE MOUNT!
Finally double-check the backing board does not protrude beyond the mount – if it does it is possible to very carefully trim the excess edge with a scalpel and a metal straight-edge as a guide!!
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