[liddlejc]

Hi could anybody tell me if dry mounting detracts value from prints and if so a professional framer should relise this?

[buster]

liddlejc said:

Hi could anybody tell me if dry mounting detracts value from prints and if so a professional framer should relise this?

generally the answer is Yes jc, it depends on what has been used in the process ( adhesives and what the print was mounted onto)
There generally has to be a very good reason for a framer to drymount a print.
The adhesive, if not a very specific type used for fine art and archival processing, can degrade the paper and ink used in the print, leaving it open to rot with age.
The backing has to be acid free or the acid embedded into the mount board as its made, will leach out of the backing and into the print creating grease spots over time.
Generally not a good thing to have done to a print unless you really need to and its done by someone who really knows what they are doing and why they are doing it.
Hope that helps and makes sense.

[liddlejc]

Cheers buster only i.ve just had my free faile print and another done in this way being advised by them that this is what I should do. It sounds like there willing to sort the matter out in some sort of way we''ll see thanks once again.

[hypovalaemic]

jirr said:

So if my print is "floating" I'm assuming that they used some kind of adhesive to mount it onto right? I went to a very reputable framer here in Los Angeles, and now I'm getting concerned.
Can someone shed some more light on this please?

I always assumed that "floating" was just that i.e. no adhesives used hence it floats!

[matt]

Cheers buster only i.ve just had my free faile print and another done in this way being advised by them that this is what I should do. It sounds like there willing to sort the matter out in some sort of way we''ll see thanks once again.
Sorry to tell you fella but you cant reverse dry mounting unless it consevation quality dry mount tissue.

[matt]

Sorry to tell you fella but you cant reverse dry mounting unless it consevation quality dry mount tissue.[/quote]A good framer will use no adhesive to float you image,they should use a sturdy backing board to keep the image inplace against the glass,a poor lazy framer will use double sided tape. I advise that float mounting is a bad idea,acid free corner hinges and a box frame is a much better idea.

[spirit]

It always amazes me the amount of framers that will tell you to dry mount your expensive prints thereby rendering them practically worthless...

[spirit]

matt said:

A good framer will use no adhesive to float you image,they should use a sturdy backing board to keep the image inplace against the glass,a poor lazy framer will use double sided tape. I advise that float mounting is a bad idea,acid free corner hinges and a box frame is a much better idea.

Er....that's not quite correct - a print should NEVER be placed against the glass as it may well end up sticking to it. Float mounting is OK as long as it is done with acid free japanese paper hinges which use a very light water based adhesive.

[matt]

I sometimes prefer the corner hinges as no adhesive is used at all in keeping the image in place,its often down to the weight of the piece itself in how to float mount it.

[leighdrive]

Why does a dry mount render them completely worthless though?

[kennas]

Completely worthless is obviously an over dramatisation. That said the potential damage caused by the adhesive could SERIOUSLY affect any resale price.