How to Use a Dry Mount Press - Regular Operation

You will need an adhesive tissue sheet, foamboard, a tacking iron, kraft paper, release paper and the artwork.

Switch on the press. The heat and power lights will come on. Note: It is advised you pre-dry the foamboard and kraft paper. More details...

Consult the tissue instructions to find the appropriate settings for the type of artwork you have. Set the temperature dial to the desired setting.

Position the adhesive tissue on the foamboard. Note: The adhesive should be trimmed to the exact size of the artwork.

Plug in the tacking iron and wait for it to heat up. Tack at one point near the edge of the adhesive tissue. This is to prevent the tissue from slipping or shifting. More Details...  

Place the artwork image side up on the tissue and align its edges with the edges of the tissue.

Using a piece of release paper between the iron and artwork, tack the artwork to the tissue at one point along the edge opposite where you tacked the tissue to the foamboard.

Tacking at opposite ends creates a Z effect. Note: With heat sensitive artwork it's best to apply the iron to the back side of the tissue/artwork rather through the release paper on its face.

Cut a piece of kraft paper larger than the foamboard and enfold the assembled pieces in the kraft paper.

Place the assembled pieces in the press. Consult your instructions to find the appropriate dwell time for the type of artwork you have. More Details...

Close the press. The amount of time it remains closed is the "dwell time". The dwell time for this art was 30-45 seconds.

Open the press and remove the artwork.

Lift away the kraft paper. In many instances cooling under weight is called for. More Details...

Done correctly, dry mounting gives you a flawless flat, firm adhesion of the artwork against the mounting board.