Mounting photo to plywood to make jigsaw puzzles

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Val

Val

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Posts
6,729
Loc
Carson City, Nevada
A man came to ask what is the best way to mount a photograph to plywood to make jigsaw puzzles. He said he had heard drymounting was good, and using his inkjet printer to print the photos first. He has been using 3M spray adhesive but thinks there might be a better way.

He's bringing in a small piece of plywood and practice photos for me to "experiment" with. Will have to see how the inkjet print holds up under heat, for one. I have a Seal 500T-X press. I thought about gatorboard, but he really wants to stick with "high-grade" plywood, as that seems to be what the folks selling theirs on internet are using.

Any other ideas/experience/advice?
 
I suggested that, Jerome, but he says he's a "semi-professional/kinda-hobbyist/just-dinkin'-around/woodworker" and really wants to stick with the plywood.
 
I use to sell kid's jigsaw puzzles that were mounted on plywood so I know it can be done. I would agree that wet mounting would probably be the way to go.
 
The Answer is! MDO

Have him purchase a sheet of MDO at Menards. It is also called sign board. It is a plywood covered with a Kraft-like paper.

Mitch
 
Creative Chicks said:
Val,
He isn't expecting you to put plywood in your press is he?
Lori
Click to expand...
I think he was expecting me to, but I don't wanna....that's why I'm asking here...I've never tried to put plywood in a press and something doesn't feel right about it. I told him I'd research this before "we" do anything.

Dave, I spoke with our local sign shop about 1/4" MDO, thanks for the suggestion, and have some alternatives for Mr. Jigsaw, besides "No, I can't", but rather "I know someone who can...". Or, maybe I'll try the 1/4" MDO myself, and then maybe I can tell him "Yes, I can!"

We'll see.
 
Plywood, Masonite®, MDO, etc will be no different that using Gator® Board, or and other sheet product in either a platen press or a vacuum press. The only caution with a vacuum press is to watch where the corners touch the rubber bladder, a protective support should be used (EX: a scrap of mat board) to avoid the corner cutting the bladder.
 
Thanks. I was envisioning that 1/2" raggedy-edged plywood.

MDO sounds like the trick.

Suggestions for wet-mount? Other than spray adhesive? I really think he wants to do the entire process himself, at home, like he's been doing it with spray adhesive, but wants to use something else besides the spray. So anything needing a press and/or heat might work.
 
With the MDO you could suggest a pkg of wall paper paste and he could do it himself. But if you want the coins, keep the wall paper paste to yourself.

Mitch
 
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