Photographs may be mounted to a wide variety of substrates, including SBS (solid bleached sulfate), foam-core, gator-board, masonite and other relatively inexpensive support materials, all of which we stock, and are available in a variety of colors.
However, for exhibition prints, gallery and fine-art photographs and fine-art inkjet prints, we recommend the following mounting materials, which are all archival, relatively durable, stable, and resistant to disfiguring, warping, shrinking or buckling over time with exposure to natural elements.
1. Museum board is a paperboard made from 100% cotton, using an acid-free process. and it is buffered with calcium carbonate for greater stability in hostile environments. It is available in a variety of colors, though bright white and warm white are most popular, and in either 4-ply or 8-ply construction.
2. Sintra is high-density PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastic), and is relatively less expensive, lighter, and slightly less rigid than the exhibition materials listed below. It has a slight surface texture which sometimes imparts a subtle “orange-peel” finish to certain photos. It is available in a variety of thicknesses and colors, though 3mm (1/8″) or 6mm (1/4″) are most popular, in white and black.
3. Aluminum is available in an anodized metal finish. It is generally offered in either .063 gauge (approx 1/16″) or .083 gauge (approx 3/32″), and is extremely stable, considerably lighter than plexiglas, and will not crack or change with variations in temperature or humidity.
4. Dibond is extremely popular because it combines certain features of both aluminum and plexiglas: it is significantly lighter in weight than aluminum and plexiglas, and more durable. As such it is the flatest, truest of the surfaces for mounting. It is a composite (actually a sandwich) of painted sheets of .012 gauge aluminum, with a rigid thermoplastic core. It is extremely stable, resisting bending and warping over time, and may be exposed to extreme temperatures without affect. It is available in a variety of thicknesses and colors; the 3mm white is the most popular for mounting purposes. Although the back of the material is available in a variety of colors, from the edge, the 2 sheets of aluminum and plastic sandwich are visible, giving it a unique look.
5. Plexiglas (acrylic) is a successful, durable and popular mounting substrate. It is also extremely smooth, flat, and stable. It is available in a variety of colors (including black, white, clear, and pearl), and a variety of thicknesses; the 1/8″ and 1/4″ are the most popular. We can also create a “sandwich” plexi piece, with plexi on the front and the back.
Mounted photographs that are not framed usually are hung in a manner that enables them to “float” from the display wall by a perimeter brace, created out of wood (painted to match the backing, or natural) or out of extremely durable aluminum tubing. These braces then interlock with a “French cleat” which affixes to the display wall. A French cleat is extremely stable, and can support tremendous weight, and it also allows for the mounted piece to be easily installed and removed with very little damage to the display wall (usually 2 screws).
An alternative to a traditional frame and to other mounting methods, a Museum Box consists of a laminated print which is then mounted to masonite or aluminum, with formica-edged sides, usually 1-1/2″ to 2″ deep. The Museum Box is constructed with a hanging brace which is concealed completely and the Museum Box then hangs flat against the wall (unlike the French cleat). The formica sides are available in a variety of colors, most popular are white, black, grey, or brushed aluminum.