How to block mount photos at low cost
I thought that others may be interested in how you can block mount your photographs for almost no cost and still achieve a professional result. The suppliers that I have used are based in the UK but I would imagine that similar products and services are available in other countries.
Obtain Blocks on which to do the mounting.
I use MDF boards cut for free at B&Q a UK DIY store. You can purchase large sheets of 18 mm thick MDF for about £20. These sheets would be good for about 20 boards of various sizes. B&Q will cut the sheets into boards to your specification free of charge but you should go with a prepared cutting plan. The cutting is precise and of very high quality. It results in boards with precise dimensions and with clean edges.
The dimensions of your boards should be about 5 mm less in height and width than the print that you are going to mount. This is so that you can have a small amount of leeway in positioning the print on the board and so that you can trim the edges of the print after mounting for a perfect edge.
Paint the edges of the blocks black
I used chalkboard paint as it gives a great matt finish to the edges and it is easy to wash the brush afterwards.
The painting doesn't have to be exact as the front face will be covered by the print and the back is ... well ... the back.
Mount the print
Spray the board with spraymount making sure that it covers right to the edge. I use a horizontal and a vertical pattern to ensure the board is evenly covered right to the edges. Then starting at one edge lay the print down onto the board. It is easier if you have an assistant to hold the opposite edge of the print while you position the near edge. Starting at the near edge smooth the print progressively onto the board ensuring the there are no air bubbles.
Using a clean cloth smooth the print onto the board working out from the centre to ensure that it makes good contact all over.
Trim the print
The print is now mounted with a small overlap at each edge. This will allow us to take a sharp knife and trim the print exactly to the board making a perfect edge.
When the print has been trimmed there will be a white edge that can be easily dealt with using a black marker.
And you're done ... or almost
You now have the printed mounted and the only thing that remains is to fix the hanging kit of your choice on the back and display on your well.
I hope you found this useful.
Nice one Peter. I've mounted prints onto plywood art panels ( 8 X 8 inch ) with success. I bought a sheet of 8 feet X 4 feet MDF at B & Q ( £20 ) and had em cut into 8 X 8 inch blocks. I have mounted two prints onto the MDF so far.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. Block mounted prints work well :)
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