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rodgersg

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We are a photo lab in Plano, TX and are expanding our large-format services to include mounting and canvas stretching.

We've ordered a Drytac HGP-260 press - and looking for a GOOD source of quality foam core in the DFW area - or a reliable supplier that packs/ships so as not to be damaged in transit.

Also, the DryTac videos (of course they are UK based) show them mounting lots of products on 2000 micron white display board - and it's also used as good carrier boards - and I can find tons of sources for this IN THE UK - ha! Any idea where to purchase this material in the good old US of A?

Thanks!

Gary
 
Welcome, Gary.

So, you're planning to dry mount canvas to foam board? Images on paper, too?

For my money, the best product on the market for dry mounting canvas is KoolTack E2. It is a low-temperature (160F), heat-activated adhesive formulated to adhere the textured canvas surface to the substrate. The adhesive can be preapplied to all kinds of foam board, matboard, aluminum composite material (ACM), aluminum sheeting, or whatever other substrate you care to specify.

For dry mounting digital or photographic images on any kind of paper, try Kool Tack Standard dry mounting foam boards. Again, the activation temperature is only 160F and dwell time is 15-30 seconds.

Instead of release paper or release boards made of paperboard and silicone treated paper, try Kool Tack's Perma-Lon Release Board. It is a long-term board made of higher-quality release material bonded to a clear polypropylene board. It is transparent.

You should be able to locate a distributor of Kool Tack framing materials in the DFW area.

No matter what kind of dry mounting materials or methods you use, always cool under weight.




I am a framer, a satisfied user of Kool Tack products, and an occasional consultant for the company.
 
Thanks for the reply, Jim.

Bottom line is that we will be mounting prints of different types (traditional silver-halide, RC/Inkjet, canvas, etc.) on different substrates.

Most of the canvas will be over-laminated with Drytac Artshield and gallery wrapped - but there is the odd chance that requests will come in for canvas actually mounted on other substrates.

We will also be doing a substantial amount of mounting wide format (24"-44" wide) to things such as standard foam core, gator foam, styrene, and the mysteriously elusive "2000 micron white display board" ha.

We offer a full range of photographic prints and print surfaces, but the 4"x6" print business is going the way of the dinosaur. We are trying to find ways to turn silver-halide prints into "one of a kind" gifts and fatten the margin.

It's going to be interesting - but have learned over the years that it's best to tap the knowledge base of those who have been in the business when trying a new venture.

Have a new Fletcher 3100 sitting in a box waiting to go on the wall - they swear it works on Gator up to 1/2" - we'll see :-)
 
Let me add my welcome, Gary.

I don't have a dog in the hunt, I am just a big fan of Kool Tack. I bless the day I ran into the stuff. I have touted the stuff so much, some folks think I am on the payroll. But the truth is, Jim is exactly right. You won't find a better board. The quality is consistent and the price is fair.
 
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rodgersg said:
Bottom line is that we will be mounting prints of different types (traditional silver-halide, RC/Inkjet, canvas, etc.) on different substrates.
Click to expand...
Couldn't you standardize your dry mounting work to use only 5 or 6 different substrates? Kool Tack would pre-apply the adhesive to all of them. Talk to Len Lastuck, 800-777-3165.

Have a new Fletcher 3100 sitting in a box waiting to go on the wall - they swear it works on Gator up to 1/2" - we'll see :-)
Click to expand...

The 3100 will cut 1/2" Gatorfoam neatly. The only machine that might be better for such heavy duty cutting would be the Fletcher-Terry Model FSC. It is their most robust cutting machine for the purposes of framing, and it has more optional cutting devices.



I am occasionally a consultant for Fletcher-Terry.
 
I have not tried the Kool Tack for canvas but would avoid any of the precoated boards. My experience has been that they let loose over time. Fabric adhesive or specifically LaminAll from McDonald photo is the way to go. Tara Materials is the place where you can buy the LaminAll.
 
The pre-pplied Kool Tack is the way to go. I would not comment about them if I had not used them, and I do for the exact reasons you inquired about. We do alot of quality digital output on many substrates including canvas and the Kool Tack products (including the E-2 for canvas) works great. Mike
 
Jeff Rodier said:
I have not tried the Kool Tack for canvas but would avoid any of the precoated boards. My experience has been that they let loose over time.
Click to expand...

Jeff certainly is correct about the bonding failures of boards precoated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, and perhaps about some older-technology dry mounting adhesives, as well. But some of us prefer to try a product before stating an opinion about it, especially since we have so many adhesive choices available on the market.

Most dry mounting adhesives are made to mount smooth items, such as paper posters and photographs, and even the best of them may form a weak bond on textured items, such as canvas. That is why Kool Tack E2 has been formulated specifically for dry mounting canvas and other heavily-textured fabrics.

Jeff's confidence in LaminAll is well-founded. It has been among the most dependable glues in our industry for many years, and other fabric adhesives would work, too, but all of those involve more work and mess than dry mounting with adhesive preapplied to the board.

Glue-in-a-bottle costs less than any adhesive preapplied to a board. However, the labor required to properly perform the mounting procedure usually costs considerably more than the materials. Considering total cost for the mounting, using the proper dry mounting adhesive preapplied to an appropriate substrate usually represents the best value.
 
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