Mounts for photo

PoleStar

Hi guys.

I have a 10x15 photo which I want to frame myself with least expense as cash is short at the moment! I havent framed stuff myself before so looking for advice.

I was planning a budget framing attempt, maybe by buyin a large photoframe, you know those cheap ones which dont really have a margin, just a thin rim around the edge, they are mostly used for collages. I then plan to use a black mount inside this with my photo. Where can I buy these mounts and do they come in one size that you cut or how does it work.

Thanks!

amcinroy

The important thing is that the print should not be touching the glass so as you suggest, you need some kind of window mount or spacer.

A proper window mount needs to be cut with a angled bevel cutter. A framer can probably cut you a custom window mount fairly cheaply although if you really want to keep costs down you could always just straight edged window in a piece of black mountboard using a staley knife. It won't look as professional but at least your photo will have a raised border which will keep the print off the glass.

I personally wouldn't advise that you stick your photo to your backing board. Instead, I would recommend hanging your print from the window mount using 2 pieces of archival linen tape (or less ideal, cheap masking tape) on the top left and right corners. Don;t stick anything to the bottom of the print, just let it hang in the window.

Andy

PoleStar

That sounds like what I want to do!

Where do you get mountboard, a place like easons or something?

And is it specificall mountboard or is it just heavy card or what?

amcinroy

Eason's mountboard (Daler-Rowney) is fine.

It's neutral pH and is fine for photographic framing. Just be aware of the effect that tapes and glues might have on your print though. I personally wouldn't recommend any kind of permanent bond to the backing board.

If you are serious about mount cutting you'll need an angled bevel cutter, steel straightedge and table clamps at the very minimum (approx 40-50 EURO).

Andy

stcstc

if you buy the colourmount board rather than the daler ones they are larger sheets and you get 4 20*16 mounts out of it

the daler you only get 2

so it makes it cheaper although each board costs a little more

Muineach

I was out at "Homebase" in Navan (Meath), I was quite surprised by the frames, they also had some of the frames you were talking about (raised border ), the best thing was that they had a removable backing so you change the photo as you want. No mounting of the photo on backing board.