Mounting photographs for exhibition
A mount is the last decision on a photograph and the first thing a visitor sees up close. Make the choices in the right order and the series will hold together on the wall.
Five decisions, in this order.
- The venue's rules. Before anything else, ask how work may be hung. Some galleries allow screws, some only a rail and hooks, and some nothing heavier than a set weight. The answer can eliminate half your options.
- The paper. Choose your finish for the images and the lighting. Dust or a small speck trapped under a print shows up as a tiny bump, and gloss reveals it most. Matt is more forgiving.
- The board. Now choose a backing that suits the fixing and how long the show will last.
- The edge. Decide whether the print runs right to the edge of the board or sits inside a border. A print taken to the edge looks modern, but corners are exposed. A border gives you room for a signature and protects the image from handling.
- The hanging. Fixings on the back need planning now, not on the day of the install.
Which board for which show
| Show | Sensible backing | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| A few weeks in a shared space | 3mm or 5mm Foamex | Light, flat and quick to hang |
| A gallery show with work for sale | 3mm Dibond | Stays flat and feels substantial in the hand |
| Large prints on a rail system | 5mm Foamex or 3mm Dibond | Bigger sheets need more stiffness |
| Show that tours to other venues | 3mm Dibond, well packed | Copes better with repeated handling |
| Work that must look like an object | Face-mounting on Perspex | Depth and a clean, frameless edge |
| Board | A2 | A1 | 30in x 20in | 40in x 30in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm Foamex | £7 | £12 | £10 | £20 |
| 5mm Foamex | £8 | £14 | £11 | £22 |
| 3mm Dibond | £18 | £24 | £20 | £30 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Keeping a series consistent
A wall of twelve prints reads as one body of work when the small things match. Use one paper, one board and one border width across the group. Print everything at the same time if you can, because different batches of paper or a later order can differ slightly.
Limiting yourself to one or two sizes also helps your budget. Our quantity rates look at size and not subject: prints of one size on a single order count together, so a series of different images can qualify.
If the work is for sale
Tell buyers how the piece is mounted. An adhesive mount is usually permanent, and some collectors prefer a loose print that can be matted and framed in the traditional way. Keeping back one unmounted print from an edition gives you a clean copy for your own records.
Getting to the wall in good condition
Mounted prints scratch each other in a stack. Put a clean sheet between each face, keep corners protected and carry them upright, never flat with weight on top.
Photographs on gallery walls.
Your questions.
Should I mount before or after signing a print?
Sign first if you can, on a flat surface, and leave any pencil or ink to dry. It is more awkward to sign neatly once the print is laminated or sealed.
Can mounted photographs be sealed as well?
Yes, we can seal prints and mount them. Be aware that any surface finish changes the look of the paper, so see a sample before you do a whole series.
Do I need glass in front of the print?
Not always. Mounted prints are often shown without glazing, but they are then exposed to fingers and dust. If visitors can get close, think about a seal or a frame.