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Tips From Pres-On for Selecting the Perfect Mounting Board for Your Project
Addison, Illinois—Whether it is a favorite photo, cherished needlework, or a chart for a business presentation, a mounting board is needed to properly suspend, support, and display it.
Almost everyone uses mounting boards: Framers and photographers utilize mounting boards to provide stiffness to thin media such as posters and photographs so they can be framed and hung for display. Architects, designers, and advertisers take advantage of mounting boards for presentations of ideas to clients. Retailers hang in-store and point-of-purchase information with mounting boards. Companies use mounting boards to convey information to employees and customers. People with home computers use mounting boards to mount, preserve and display graphics produced on their color printers—the list is endless.
All mounting boards, however, are not the same. Depending on what you are mounting, and how you wish to display your mounted image or artwork, there are a variety of available options. However, these really come down to the question: “Paper, plastic, or foam?”
Paper Mounting Boards
Ultra-thin paper mounting boards are economical, easy to cut with a craft knife, and excellent as a mounting backer for paper media and digital graphics. Thicker paper and chipboard mounting boards have smooth, clay-coated surfaces, and provide added rigidity for larger graphics and photographs. These mounting boards, nonetheless, are still thin enough to fit inside the rabbet (the notch in the frame that holds glass, graphic and mounting board) of most frames.
If you need to mount digital graphics, photos, or thin paper media in sizes smaller than 16-by-20 inches, and you're looking for the most economical mounting board, you may wish to consider thin paper mounting boards or coated white-lined paper mounting boards. These mounting boards are also thin enough to fit in the rabbets of most frames.
Ultra smooth, dense and rigid paper, such as Masonite®, is a perfect mounting surface for fine art photographs and high quality images. Masonite, however, may be too heavy for large applications and must be cut with a fine tooth saw, so review your objectives and check your tolerances before choosing it.
Be aware that all paper mounting boards can absorb moisture, which can potentially cause them to bow or warp over time. If you live in a high-humidity environment, you may wish to consider using foam-centered or plastic mounting boards to mount your images and artwork.
Plastic Mounting Boards
Plastic Mounting Boards are the easiest boards to trim and cut into shapes: just score and snap. This allows you to trim your print and mounting boards simultaneously. Ultra-smooth plastic surfaces are also great for digital prints.
Plastic mounting boards will not warp or shrink from exposure to humidity or moisture and bend easily for a variety of craft uses. They are not, however, as tolerant to heat as a paper mounting board.
Plastic mounting boards come in a variety of colors (as well as transparent). When combined with a clear, acid-free adhesive, transparent plastic boards can replace the glass in front of a print and the mounting board behind it, making this design perfect for instant signage and on-the-spot image finishing.
Foam-Centered Mounting Boards
Foamboards have long been the standard in the large format and display industry. Universally functional, lightweight and economical, these boards are commonly used for point-of-purchase, tradeshows and graphic displays.
Two of the most commonly used foam-centered boards are Ryno Board® and Gatorfoam®.
Ryno Board is a foam-centered board that is manufactured for maximum rigidity and durability with 24-point clay coated liners laminated to a very high-density expanded polystyrene core. Ryno can be used for mounting posters, photos, P-O-P displays, screenprinting, and exhibits.
Gatorfoam is one of the toughest, most durable laminated foam panels on the market. Gatorfoam panels are made from a durable core of rigid polystyrene foam bonded on both sides by resin impregnated wood fiber veneers. The result is a laminated foam panel with an exceptionally hard, smooth surface that resists dents, punctures and moisture. Combined with Pres-On's acid-free, self-stick adhesive, Gatorfoam is the board of choice for mounting photos and murals because of its smooth surface and warp resistance. Its strength is also well-suited for sign makers and display/exhibit designers.
A Word About Adhesives
If you are new to working with self-stick mounting boards, you may want to choose a low-tack adhesive, which allows surface graphics to be positioned and then repositioned without tearing. High tack adhesives are more aggressive and once prints are mounted to with high tack adhesive, they may not be repositioned.
In addition, to keep your graphics safe for years to come, always choose an adhesive that is acid-free and chemically inert.
About Pres-On
Founded in 1949, Pres-On is a manufacturer of adhesive coating, coated foam tape, mounting substrates, gaskets and cap liners serving customers worldwide in the industrial and consumer markets. Pres-On is based in Addison, Illinois.
For pricing or free product samples, call 800/323-7467 or visit www.pres-on.com.
—Press Release
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