Mounting a printing plate

Finest Fabric

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
May 20, 2005
Posts
626
Loc
connecticut
Hi all - I read the grumble almost every day over lunch but until today have not had a reason to post. Perhaps someone out there can help me with this project. I have a customer who has an original printing plate from the Wall Street Journal. This is a sort of dull coated printing over a metal plate (possibly tin or something similar). It is approximately 6-8 mil thick.
The problem is that there is a slight crease running horizontally through the piece and we want to try to get it out. The customer is OK with some type of permanent mounting if necessary.
My question is if you think this can be removed in a vacuum press. And if so, would cold mounting or hot mounting be recommended. Also what type of adhesive should be used (metal to paper).
I have never worked with this material before - hopefully someone out there has some experience with this. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
I'm thinkin' 'don't do it.'
Of course, it's hard to tell without having the piece in front of me and I can't visualize the thickness and flexibility/rigidity of it, but my sense is that mounting it would not do much to remove the crease.
Just my opinion. Check back tommorrow, it might change...

So, now that you have posted, will you check back at times other than your lunch to see if anyone has replied? :D

Welcome to the fray!

edie the threecheersforlunchtime goddess
 
I've had to deal with these on occasion. I usually place it in a sink mat & then mat over that. I don't/wouldn't try to "fix" a crease or any other defect in the plate as that will lead you into more trouble. They all have some defects since they are used to print thousands of copies and are handled a little roughly after the printing is completed. The printer (years ago that would have been my father) could care less about the plate after he's done. They usually got recyled. Good luck on the project.
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I'll make this 3 for 3. DON'T MOUNT IT!

I'm with Randy on this one. Put it in a sink mat and mat over it.

There is almost no way to take out that crease (short of melt down into new plate)

That crease is the printers guarantee that it won't print again. Much like running an awl or gouge across an art block to destroy the block, printers removing the plate from a high-speed Hidelburg will simple fold and crease.

It is part of the history of the plate.

BTW: Welcome to the grumble and I love your name.
 
What the heck, let's make it four. It's not your job to "fix" what was put there by the artist/printer.

Sink mount it if you and the customer are cool with covering a little bit up. Otherwise it could look pretty neat floated and mounted with either Mylar strips or bent rod mounts, probably depending on the weight/thickness. Maybe Jim will be along soon to explain either or both, since he can do it in writing far better than I.
 
Its most likely alluminum & can be trimmed with an ordinary knife - ususally the borders are 4" or so & don't even need mounting if trimmed to fit frame & use a matte border - ask customer prior to trimming though!
 
Thanks to everyone for your advice, particularly Baer. That crease is part of the manufacture/history of the piece and the customer should realize this. And thanks FramerDave - I will probably recommend floating the piece with bent rod mounts - should look pretty cool.
 
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