How to Picture Frame
A Nine Step Tutorial
 

Step Six:  Mounting Your Artwork

1.  Transfer the adhesive off the sheet onto the back of the artwork using the squeegee included.   2.  Peel the artwork off the sheet - the adhesive will remain on the back of the artwork.   3.  Lay the adhesive covered artwork on the mounting board and rub it down through the release paper to fix it in place.   4.  Lift away the release paper and your artwork will be cleanly and permanently mounted to the mounting board.

“Mounting” simply means that you're attaching your artwork within the frame space for presentation.  You might attach the top edge of it to the back of a window mat so it hangs down in the window, image side out.  Or you might attach it to the face of a mat blank (a mat that doesn’t have a window cut in it).  Or you might attach it to the foamboard backing.  The technique you use to attach it will depend on how you wish to present the artwork and how important it is to preserve it.         There are three broad categories of mounting:  permanent mounting (which involves coating the back of the artwork with adhesive); hinge mounting (which involves using tabs of tape, called hinges); and non-adhesive mounting (which involves trapping the artwork at its edges or corners to hold it in place).

Permanent mounting involves coating the back of the artwork a uniform coat of adhesive and sticking it down.  Permanent mounting techniques include such methods as spray mounting , dry mounting and using adhesive transfer sheets and boards.  Figures 1-4 above show the process of cold mounting using Positionable Mounting Adhesive (PMA).  Permanent mounting methods provide a flat, firm mount, but do not do a good job of preserving your artwork and should only be used for items that can be reproduced or acquired again at a low cost such as photography or posters.
 
Hinge mounting requires the use of mounting tape to attach the artwork.  When performed with the right kind of tape, hinge mounting is good approach for preservation.  For an article analyzing the different types of mounting tape available click here. 

Non-adhesive mounting includes trapping methods such as Self-Adhesive Mounting Strips (Picture to right) and Self Adhesive Framer's Corners.  Non-adhesive mounting is an excellent way to preserve artwork.  

Another  area of mounting is the mounting of 3-dimensional objects for object box and shadow box framing.  See the book Mounting Methods by Vivian Kistler for more.

When you are finished mounting, you are ready to add glass (glaze).

                                                                                     
Continue on to Step 7, Glazing

Step 1   Step 2   Step 3   Step 4   Step 5   Step 6   Step 7   Step 8   Step 9
 

Click on a link below to Enter the Article Vault and Access Articles About Mounting:

Preferred Mounting Techniques for Every Medium 

Cold Mounting, the Alternative For the Economy Minded Do-It-Yourselfer

How to Take the Wrinkles and Creases Out of Art on Paper

Understanding Basic Hinge Mounting Techniques

How to Mount Heavy Watercolor Paper Without Adhesives

Mounting and Framing Needlepoint

How to Do a Float Mount

Exploring Museum Mounting

How to Make a Shadowbox Frame

Budget Object Box Framing

How to Mat and Frame a Watercolor

Framing4Yourself Workshops give you hands-on instruction for mounting.  To find a workshop location near you, click the link below:

Framing4Yourself Workshops



Click on a link below to Find Products For Mounting:  

Gummed Paper Mounting Tape

Gummed Linen Tape

Mounting and Hinging Tissue

Museum Mounting Kit

Positionable Mounting Adhesive

Self-Adhesive Mounting Boards

Lineco See-Thru Mounting Strips

Lineco-Self Adhesive Mounting Corners

Multi-Purpose Holder for Objects

Coin Holder

Plate Holder

Knife Holder

Gun Holder

Continue on to Step 7, Glazing


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