Question Advice to centering on foamcore for dry mounting

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Cavalier

Cavalier

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Posts
872
Loc
Waterville, ME
We just had a customer come in with his own foamcore, 16x20, with 11x14 photos. He would like them dry mounted EXACTLY in the middle. Here's my question: what is the best way to approach this? These types of photos have a tendency to get shiny when tacked too hard, and usually what I'd do if it were our foam is cut the foam a little larger, tack lightly and square it off after mounting. I've considered drawing out guidelines or making a template, but I'm wondering if anyone else has any trick of the trade worth sharing. Any and all suggestions would be appreciative; I'll be mounting these photos on Saturday. Thank you!
 
Do a test, if you can...on something similar. I've personally not done it, but I have had a supplier drymount an oversize for me and they used tape in the corner (like framers tape) to keep it in place. Not being able to tack without leaving a shiny spot can be a nightmare. But other than measuring and tacking I don't think there's anything you can do.

Here, I tell people that we will only mount on our own foamcore and then trim so that it is exactly centered. If they want me to attempt it with theirs I do my best but there's absolutely no guarantee.

There are also too many factors as far as my film vs their foamcore and what will work. Every foamcore seems to have differences in the required temperature and you have (it sounds) no room to test.

I certainly wouldn't guarantee results on anybody else's foam. For all you know, it could've been riding in a vehicle for a week...and moisture bubbles won't show up until you begin. What if they warp/curl?

Perhaps to be on the safe side, scan the things to make sure you can replicate them. At least if something does happen, you can tell the customer you can have it reprinted for them easily.
 
Mount them on your own FC and then trim so it is the way they want it and then put their FC in the remnant bin in the backroom.
The hassle factor here makes it not worth it to try it on their FC.
 
Fortunately, we have a great relation with the printer of the photographs, so that's not an issue. We did discuss tape, although we were concerned about denting. We didn't realise he cut them to size when we talked about the order yesterday -- it might be good to mention that to him when he picks up (I might call him and tell him they might not be EXACTLY center because there's no allowance for trim), but 16x20 is so conveinent to cut out of a 32x40, so I can understand why he wouldn't want to add an inch for margin. The foam appears to be standard Bainbridge clay-coated, the same we use, so I'm not as concerned about that. But you did give me some points to talk to the customer about. Thank you. ^_^
 
Framah: I was just about to ask if you were from Maine, regarding your user name. Sure enough, Ellsworth. :D I thought of that possibility, too, and I'll bring that up to Bill when he gets in tomorrow. Thank you!
 
Ayuh!
 
I have used 3m 811 removable tape to hold photos and other drymounts in place that go glossy with a tacking iron. Haven't had any problems, but you might want to try first.
 
I also use the tape method, just barely catching two corners. It is just enough to keep those gremlins from sliding the photos around while in the press :)
 
snag the edge with a post-it note. The wax based adhesive can easily be removed if it comes off...I'm talking a 1/16" capture at 2 points.
 
framah said:
Mount them on your own FC and then trim so it is the way they want it and then put their FC in the remnant bin in the backroom.
The hassle factor here makes it not worth it to try it on their FC.
Click to expand...

Yep, and that's why I'd charge the same whether they bring their own scraps or not.

I wonder if what you charged is worth the hassle.....
 
I'm sure you'll get the photos mounted just right and the customer will sing your praises. Your real reward will come a couple of weeks later when the customer returns to ask you to do it again and again and again. That's why you have to charge for the extra work involved.

Doug
 
DVieau2 said:
I'm sure you'll get the photos mounted just right and the customer will sing your praises. Your real reward will come a couple of weeks later when the customer returns to ask you to do it again and again and again. That's why you have to charge for the extra work involved.

Doug
Click to expand...

Yep, there is nothing like doing a good job for someone, and under charging for it. Every time I do it, they not only come back with more, but they have also told their freinds! :icon9:
 
Am I missing something here?

When I was a photo student (and also a beginning framer)- we had to mount all of our photos on a pre-sized board, usually black, and we had to center mount all of them. I don't get what the challenge is, even with fome-cor.

There should not be any difficulty in slightly under-sizing the piece of mounting tissue to the dimensions of the art. Then, do a "z" tack. Tack the tissue to the art from the back side at two places along the top. Should have no effect on the gloss or surface of the photo from the front.

Flip it over and position on the fome-cor using either a small t-square or other centering/squaring device, weight down the top where the tack is, lift up the bottom and tack through the tissue to the board.

The piece is now positioned, tacked, and the surface is not affected. Now mount normally and the print will say where it needs to be.

What am I missing from this discussion? Why the necessity to mount to an oversized board and trim all around?
 
Like others have already said, when I have a lot of pieces all the same dimension to position I like to make a template from scrap matboard.

This is helpful not only for center mounting (which makes it a snap BTW) but for anything that requires exact placement. For example, a thirty piece budget commercial job called for commemorative plates to be adhered below some kid art. Making a simple template sped up the process. No measuring, no eyeballing. Just wham, bam, thank you m'am!

30 mats and plates:
IMG_2245MOD.jpg


Template from scrap:
IMG_2246MOD-1.jpg


Fast, easy alignment:
IMG_2248MOD-1.jpg


Done in no time! On to assembly!
IMG_2241MOD.jpg
 
Rob Markoff said:
Am I missing something here?

When I was a photo student (and also a beginning framer)- we had to mount all of our photos on a pre-sized board, usually black, and we had to center mount all of them. I don't get what the challenge is, even with fome-cor.

There should not be any difficulty in slightly under-sizing the piece of mounting tissue to the dimensions of the art. Then, do a "z" tack. Tack the tissue to the art from the back side at two places along the top. Should have no effect on the gloss or surface of the photo from the front.

Flip it over and position on the fome-cor using either a small t-square or other centering/squaring device, weight down the top where the tack is, lift up the bottom and tack through the tissue to the board.

The piece is now positioned, tacked, and the surface is not affected. Now mount normally and the print will say where it needs to be.

What am I missing from this discussion? Why the necessity to mount to an oversized board and trim all around?
Click to expand...

Because:
- Items may tend to move around slighly in press
-Sometime "undersized" mounting tissue may show through onto images
 
I like to mount the film to the back of the photo first then trim and mount.
 
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