best foam core mounting sequence for inkjet print, no glass, custom sizes?

[Silver Chain]

Hello All,

I've been reading here about mounting on acid-free foam core and am quite interested for a few reasons--but my particular set of issues could use some seasoned input . . .

The reason I am interested is that I always print on matte art paper (Aurora Natural) and my images do not need or want glass. Plus, I always crop to non-standard sizes. Always. Which presents problems for every component I have to buy, especially since the cost needs to stay down. But I can't crop any other way. I depend too much on composition.

I am seeking an inexpensive way to produce images saleable in, say, a coffee shop, or displayable at a library or other nice-but-modest setting.

All this together makes me think that maybe foam core or art board or some such could be my answer, but I've read that an inkjet print will be more prone to humidity-related changes in size that may make some mounting methods not work.

I am open to displaying/selling either without a frame or in one; willing to consider a matte but would prefer to do without; but again, the budget is on the low side.

So first, what would be my best bet for a truly custom size of foam core? I found a good online place that willl cut custom, but only to the inch. That's not custom enough. Is there a way to cut neatly and accurately myself? Or will anyone cut even more custom?

Because, if I can get a truly custom size, then I guess I can mount to the edges if you can assure me that this won't wrinkle in the summer, or maybe use museum corners to float the image so I don't have to worry about the wrinkling [??], then cover the corners with a custom matte, and frame without glass. Oh, but then the FRAME needs to be a fully custom size. Hmmm.

I think what I am probably going to need is a method for custom cutting, or a source who will cut to the exact size, plus a method for affixing that will definitely work with matte inkjet output as the weather changes . . . yet that will not show . . .

Can anyone weigh in? I'm having trouble arriving at a solution that works for matte/no glass/very custom sized/low cost.Thank you very much.

 

[axcentphoto]

By using 'custom size' you are in for some restrictions...price and availability. I try to use 'standard' sized frames and cut the Foam core and mat myself. My latest forays into mounting have been "Gallery Floats" and printing on Metal ( Aluminum ). Although price can be a problem here, my latest 24x26 Aluminum just hit $1,000...I expect some resistance on the price. Good Luck to you.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

You can cut foam core with a very sharp utility knife. It takes some practice to develop a touch for it. Start with a fresh new blade and change it as needed

I'm not sure of the best mounting adhesive - Google may help you there - but my experience has been that it is hard to do a good job without a lot of experience and professional equipment. You might look for a frame shop in your area with a mounting press. One trick: Mounting a sheet of the same paper used for the print on the back of the board will help prevent curl.

Gato

 

[quallsphoto]

You may want to consider self-adhesive mounting products from Pacific Mount (www.pacificmount.com). They send free samples to USA-based customers, at least. For light-weight surface that will survive the coffee shop / restaurant environment, styrene may be more appropriate.

DQ

www.quallsphotography.com

 

[jrkliny]

I suggest you rethink the plan to glue your prints onto foam core. Foam core is not very durable. The corners are easily damaged. The board does not remain flat and prints can show buckles and bubbles with time. If you take pride in your work and you want to sell it, I think you need a better presentation. Nielson aluminum frames are inexpensive and available in any size. Simple white mat board is in the range of $4/sheet. Depending on the size you should be able to do a simple mat and aluminum frame for about $20-$30. For custom mats it will pay to get a $30 mat cutter or even better a $100 cutting system.

 

[Silver Chain]

I am appreciating all the thoughts. I fear that you may well be right! It's the how-not-to-have-it-bubble-etc. matter than worries me, plus, as you mention, durability.

I found Nielson frames at Blick and they are only custom to the inch, I've found. That is similar to what I could get from Framing Destination, at least as to how custom. But if I am matting also, then I can further customize the mat. It'll mean asymmetry in the vertical vs. horizontal sections of the mat but I saw some examples at Blick that gave me some ideas so maybe I can make it work well. They (Nielson) has some gallery styles with the image pushed up high in the mat and I think that would work well to keep a vert/horiz. asymmetry from mattering. I think I need to do some mock-ups just with paper to check out different layouts and see how happy I can be with them.

I have a simple mat cutter--it was probably 30 or 60, not 100, so I see experiments in my future.

(By the way, I've visited your site and your flowers are beautiful. Especially love 9293. Much better than a very similar one I took at a botanical garden, so I can see that my composition is good but I need to learn from people who really know what they are doing when it comes to noise!)

Slightly off the original topic, but if anyone wants to mention best places for archival tape, good places for mats, etc., I'm all ears.

Thank you very much, everyone.

 

[jrkliny]

I have been buying frames from Frames Destination. I bought matboard from Blick. Crescent board is $3.61 for a 20x32 sheet. Right now shipping is free. A few days ago there was also free shipping plus a 20% discount. If you are not in a hurry you might wait for the next sale.

I don't see any issue with cuts to the inch. I often cut even borders but different horizontal and vertical borders and/o weighted bottom borders can all be made to work.

Roughly what size frames do you need? For small frames I buy at AC Moore or Michaels on sale. I was getting 11x14 frames for $3-5.

--
Jim, aka camperjim
http://www.specialplacesphoto.com

 

[brucet]

I'm not sure I have a full grasp of what you are trying to achieve. But I also 'custom' print my sizes. The folks I use will cut down to the mm. For me I stick to a 'standard' frame size but use a 'custom' cutout. And I push the cutout/print sizes so that a 1mm error makes a big mistake!! (I sell without frame but because they are standard size purchaser can pick up a frame almost anywhere).

Anyway I've used these folks. http://www.matboardandmore.com/products.aspx Have a look through their products. You may just see a solution.

So far I'm more than happy with their work. Deliver is usually 2-3 days. (Keep in mind I'm ordering 50+ units at a time).

regards

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126753097@N02/

 

[Silver Chain]

Wow, thanks, that's a great mat source and they will do any offset, but alas, the acid-free mat only comes in white. For some reason almost all my images look better with an off-white, "antique" is what it is usually called. I print on Aurora Natural and it looks great showing around the edge of the images. Looks like I need to find that amazing combination of truly custom mat openings plus an antique acid-free mat!

 

[Silver Chain]

I would not need huge frames. Don't have the pixels for them at this point. I could check those sources--we have those stores here--sales sound good . . . maybe if I can get a great deal on the frames it will finance my mats!

Thanks again for your help. I feel as if my head is starting to un-swim on the issues.

 

[Silver Chain]

Aha, Frame Destination can do the custom openings for any color mat. I missed this the first time I looked at their site. And the increments are small enough for me. Here is their cheapest archival:

/http://www.framedestination.com/mat_board/bainbridge__4ply_alphamat/item/mtamat0000/

And here are all their mats:

http://www.framedestination.com/pre-cut-mat-board.html

I appreciate the tip about less overhang over the image. Actually, I don't want to lose any of the image at all, so maybe I will plan to leave an even amount of the Aurora Natural showing as a mini-border inside the mat opening? Will have to experiment.

Thank you everyone!

 

[PenguinPhotoCo]

you can buy foamcore with adhesive on it, peel and stick your print. 3M sells an adhesive on a roll that you can use like wax paper - roll it onto the print or foam core, rub to adhere, then peel backing and stick to the next thing (print to foamcore or vice versa).

I find pre-sticky foamcore is better to use, but both work. Then you cut it to whatever size you want (before or after sticking.

You SHOULD ALWAYS coat yoru work - it seals if for cleaning (dusting) and can keep 'splashes' off it - I use PYM but there are many items on the market.