Alupanel

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Lorenzo

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Sep 27, 2002
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Loc
Langley, BC, Canada
Hi All

I just received a couple of stunning photographs approx. 30 x 50 from Australia that the photographer and hence customer request it to be mounted on Alupanel. my question is has anyone worked with this substrate and are there any pitfalls to look out for as well as what would the moutning technique be?

Thank you in advance

Lorenzo
 
Photos shrink, metal doesn't.

Mounted many photographs on Aluminum and Stainless panels in the 70's using 3M transfer adhesive, metal visible around the photos. Longevity was at most 3 years, the photos would shrink and start to peel up showing sticky stuff all around, definitely not satisfactory, and really ugly. Have seen this syndrome is many museum displays.

The oldest photos I have that are still mounted OK on metal panels were all wet-wrapped around the edges of the panels, which presumably prevents shrinkage or deals with it in a non-destructive way. But you can't wet-wrap inkjet prints, bummer.

Have seen photos drymounted to Aluminum with bare metal all around, but can't speak for longevity. I'd assume shrinking would finally kill it, but at least drymount does not permit the flexibility that is the bane of adhesive mounting something that flexes on something which doesn't.
 
Wanted to give some additional information supplied by the photographer.

" Image has been exposed to Fuji Supergloss,one of the finest photographic materials in the world today. Framed correctly your photograph should provide a lifetime of quality without any noticeable fading. In order to make the most of this photograph we recommend that a few simple guidelines be followed-

Do not touch the surface on the print. If you need to handle your print do so using the black border around the image, wearing cotton gloves.

When having your print framed we suggest the prints to be cold mounted to an acid free mounting board - we use and recommend aluminium or Alupanel due to it's extremely smooth surface. This will enhance the smooth glossy finish of your photograph and reduce any possible " orange peel " effect that maybe caused by using inferior mounting boards. "

Hopes this helps with the sugestions.
 
This would be glossy, resin coated (RC) paper, the most delicate form of photo media whether an inkjet print or a photographic print. Easily scratched, sleeked, abraded.

Glossy prints should not be dry mounted. Any application of heat will alter the surface and bring through aspects of the texture of whatever is underneath including the mounting tissue. I have dry mounted RC glossies on foam core with Colormount at 180F, 75 seconds with a 1/16" cover sheet, but the surface is subtly changed, less glossy than before and the ultra flat, mirror-like quality has given way to a slight texture. The effect is uneven, and unattractive for it. The brilliance that is the reason photographers use glossy is noticeably diminished.

FWIW I have read suggestions that glossy paper should be drymounted with the heat applied to the back of mounting board, with the face of the print as far away from the heat source as possible.

I had better defer to others as far a mounting on the Aluminum goes, but it seems adhesive is the only real option. Might be a good time to give the customer some disclaimers. Common wisdom is that nothing should be done to a print that isn't referred to in the manufacturer's documentation, that way you're sort of covered in the event of trouble.
 
Hello again

Received a response from the photographer in Australia on mounting :

" Re your questions re cold mount process -

Unfortunately our framers/mounters will not give information re their processes, so I am unable to give you specific details on how to proceed, however, as a general rule:

Mount to aluminium or alupanel
Mount using a high quality film
No vacuum press is used in the process
Do not use any heat or wet glue
Ensure back of print is free from dust etc Print does not need to be encapsulated For framing we use acrylic rather than glass, both for its UV resistance and lighter weight

When Sam has his images framed he has them floated which we find gives a very appealing finish"

The framing request I have is to mount onto Alupanel with no matting using Museum glass and I suggest framespace so the piece does not come in contact with the glazing.

I am at a loss now because I am no idea what " Mount using a high quality film " refers to.

Thanks in advance.
 
Lorenzo said:
Unfortunately our framers/mounters will not give information re their processes, so I am unable to give you specific details on how to proceed, however, as a general rule:

WHY NOT??

Mount to aluminum or alupanel
Mount using a high quality film
No vacuum press is used in the process
Do not use any heat or wet glue

WTF??

When Sam has his images framed he has them floated which we find gives a very appealing finish"

THEN HE SPINS AROUND THREE TIMES AND LEVITATES

I am at a loss now because I am no idea what " Mount using a high quality film " refers to.
Click to expand...

Quite the mystery......no heat, glue, or vacuum, and you can't touch the surface. I'm no help but maybe one of our mounting experts can explain how this would work.
 
I imagine you have solved the problem by now...but for everyone else out there... the method would be a cold mount adhesive run through a roller press. There are several companies on the east coast who I could reccommend. (Don't try this at home.) Mounts on aluminum are quite beautiful, if a little pricey.
 
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