How to Dry Mount a Photograph
Dry mounting is a method for attaching photographs to a rigid backing. The bond holds permanently, so dry mounting is not an archival process.
Supplies
Materials used in dry mounting include dry mount tissue, release paper and either an apparel iron or mounting press accompanied by a tacking iron. Professional mounting presses sell for approximately $600 to $1,600 in 2010.
Preparation
Cut the backing board to the desired framing size and the mounting tissue to the size of the photograph. Preheat presses according to the specifications in their manuals. Set apparel irons to medium.
Steps to Dry Mount:
1. Look at your picture. It should have no white border or an even white border. If it does not have either then you need to make another print. DO NOT TRY TO TRIM the photo yourself, trust me no one can cut straight.
2. Cut a piece of mounting tissue the same size. If your photo is 5in.x7in. cut a piece in half.
3. Place the photo picture side down, using the tacking iron (on medium) adhere the mounting tissue to the middle of the photo. ONLY IN THE MIDDLE, you don’t want to activate all the glue.
4. Turn your photo right side up. Can you see any of the mounting tissue? If yes you need to trim it just under the picture so it doesn’t show. Now you photo is ready.
5. Make sure the mounting press is set to 225F, it will take a few minute to warm up. Make sure the press is open when you are not using it.
6. Get a piece of mat board, you will need a piece big enough so you have a 1 ½ border around your image. So if your picture is 5x7 then you board should be 8in. x 10 in. Using a Ruler mark you measurement on the piece of mat board, make
sure you are conserving the piece to the best of your ability (be green!).
7. Cut your mat board using the board cutter; make sure your piece is even with the top ruler, then press down firmly and quickly with the cutter. Hold the piece of mat on the cutting board so it doesn’t move when cutting.
8. Lay your photograph on to your newly cut board, using a ruler place your photograph 1 ½ inch from the edges on all sides, mark corners with L brackets with a pencil (no pen or marker).
9. Place in press, line up correctly with brackets; make sure photo is in between to sheets of press paper. Close press for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
10. Remove photograph and board. If curled place under books for 10 minutes.
11. Label in pencil your photograph just under picture; from left to right, title, date, and name. Be Neat!
Supplies
Materials used in dry mounting include dry mount tissue, release paper and either an apparel iron or mounting press accompanied by a tacking iron. Professional mounting presses sell for approximately $600 to $1,600 in 2010.
Preparation
Cut the backing board to the desired framing size and the mounting tissue to the size of the photograph. Preheat presses according to the specifications in their manuals. Set apparel irons to medium.
Steps to Dry Mount:
1. Look at your picture. It should have no white border or an even white border. If it does not have either then you need to make another print. DO NOT TRY TO TRIM the photo yourself, trust me no one can cut straight.
2. Cut a piece of mounting tissue the same size. If your photo is 5in.x7in. cut a piece in half.
3. Place the photo picture side down, using the tacking iron (on medium) adhere the mounting tissue to the middle of the photo. ONLY IN THE MIDDLE, you don’t want to activate all the glue.
4. Turn your photo right side up. Can you see any of the mounting tissue? If yes you need to trim it just under the picture so it doesn’t show. Now you photo is ready.
5. Make sure the mounting press is set to 225F, it will take a few minute to warm up. Make sure the press is open when you are not using it.
6. Get a piece of mat board, you will need a piece big enough so you have a 1 ½ border around your image. So if your picture is 5x7 then you board should be 8in. x 10 in. Using a Ruler mark you measurement on the piece of mat board, make
sure you are conserving the piece to the best of your ability (be green!).
7. Cut your mat board using the board cutter; make sure your piece is even with the top ruler, then press down firmly and quickly with the cutter. Hold the piece of mat on the cutting board so it doesn’t move when cutting.
8. Lay your photograph on to your newly cut board, using a ruler place your photograph 1 ½ inch from the edges on all sides, mark corners with L brackets with a pencil (no pen or marker).
9. Place in press, line up correctly with brackets; make sure photo is in between to sheets of press paper. Close press for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
10. Remove photograph and board. If curled place under books for 10 minutes.
11. Label in pencil your photograph just under picture; from left to right, title, date, and name. Be Neat!
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