Mounting and Laminating

Humidity and poor storage can cause many types of paper to warp, ripple, cockle or pucker. Depending on the nature of the item, we may recommend different methods of mounting.

Hinging is used for the highest level of preservation. We use a variety of archival-grade tapes and adhesives, catered for each individual piece. If the piece is an antique or highly valuable print or works of art, an heirloom, or something you wish to resell, we would advise against dry mounting, as it can devalue the work. In these instances, we would recommend to use an archival backing such as Artcare foam core or rag mat float and use archival hinging techniques.

Most paper is subject to humidity and temperature; it contracts and expands on the weather and climate. Dry mounting your artwork will remedy that. This method uses a heat-activated tissue to adhere the artwork to the backing board. This is an acid-free (but not archival) process. We recommend this for open-run prints, posters and other reproductions.

For items needing a heavy-duty rigid mounting and laminating such as large maps and canvas prints, we use Gatorboard, a dense board that has minimal bowing and warping. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you on this decision.

Lamination is usually recommended for posters and photos with no monetary or sentimental value to hang without a frame or frame without glass. The lamination we use is UV-resistant and is available in matte and lustre. Using lamination is permanent, and we would not recommend laminating original artwork and signed & numbered prints.

If you decide to mount and laminate without a visible frame, a support frame is recommended. This is a simple wood frame adhered to the back of the artwork, granting stablity and preventing twisting and bowing of the foamcore.