Mounting onto aluminium

The Catcher · Post by **The Catcher** » Sun 19 Aug, 2007 7:37 pm

It is a long time since I posted on this forum, but, I look in from time to time when I get a chance.

I have had a print brought to me that a client bought in Australia. The photographer has recommended that this be mounted onto aluminium and also given her framing suggestions.

These are apparently the way he mounts his prints for sale etc.

Can anyone point me in the direction of someone here in the UK who does mounting onto aluminium or something similar?

Cheers

George

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Sun 19 Aug, 2007 8:09 pm

I'd try a signmakers, if I couldn't persuade the customer to have it done how I'd normally do it.

Some info here on how it's done.

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Sun 19 Aug, 2007 8:56 pm

Robo, thank you for that. A very informative thread.

Could be useful to put it onto the FRAMING ORACLE.

!!!!!

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Sun 19 Aug, 2007 9:36 pm

Wonder if the photographer is the same one mentioned in that thread?

Seems this type of mounting has its place - just hope I never have it demanded (it would have to be demanded - not asked for!)

Usually when I am given "The artist/photographer said" ... it should be mounted/framed in this and that way (because you obviously have no idea without that input) I usually give it "Look - the artist/photographer has done his/her bit - now let me do mine" But not in those words of course - no I just use two "Bloody artists(/photographers)"

Not really!

But this is worth looking into I think.

Not your average framer · Sun 19 Aug, 2007 10:00 pm

Try your local engraving or metal finishers. There is an anodised hard aluminum material used in the engraving business which has a fantastic totally smooth and flat surface with no surface imperfections. Also being anodised it will not oxidise or contaminate the photo in any way.

BTW glossy photos show even the tiniest speck of dust, which may get underneath when mounting.

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Sun 19 Aug, 2007 11:09 pm

Artcare restore - reversible drymounting incorporating the trap it all and spit it back out technology.

Back that with aluminium if it makes you feel good!

osgood · Post by **osgood** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 7:26 am

Roboframer wrote:Back that with aluminium if it makes you feel good!

I think one of the reasons for mounting on aluminium is for the flatness. ie almost no orange peel shows in the surface of the print when mounted.

ross · Post by **ross** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 10:37 am

Peter Jarver it would be for sure

My first experience with one of these high gloss photographic prints was to loose hang the piece - it was back within 2-3 weeks with the customer complaining about the cockling despite our warning him it would happen

Against my better judgement, the customer wore me down and persuaded us to mount it for him onto Fome-cor - he was horrified when he saw the orange peel effect that was now evident in his prized photographic print

In the end I replaced the print (it cost me an arm and a leg!) - Jared's advice appeared shortly thereafter and whenever one of those prints(!!!) come in now, they are outsourced for mounting onto aluminium prior to our framing them

However, don't feel that because you outsource the mounting process that everything will be OK - I recently took two small ones out to the contractor and when returned one have a very small dust particle under the print - as usual it was very conspicuous. The last one I had done was fine I thought when I took it in for mounting, but when I collected it I was advised something had reacted with the emolution on the surface of the print during the mounting process and caused a spot to appear about 30mm in diameter - it too was clearly visable on the print's surface. As it turned out in both these cases the customer had received these prints as freebies as part of an overall purchase and they decided not to contact the print supplier and have it replaced

Is it any wonder I shudder whenever one of these photographic prints is laid before my eyes for framing?

Ross

kaptain.kopter · Post by **kaptain.kopter** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 12:53 pm

John Jones mounts prints onto aluminium.

www.johnjones.co.uk

Prices start around £35:00+vat for a 16x20".

They also do a great face mounting to perspex service using the Diasec process which is around £88:00+vat for a 16x20"

Hope this helps

kev@frames · Post by **kev@frames** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 1:36 pm

thanks Kaptain! thats useful. we always turn away these aluminium mounting jobs as something we can't (or not even try to) do. At least we can direct the customers now to someone who can.

we have had one or two local photographers ask if we will do it. Strangely they have "heard" about it, but nobody has ever seen one.

eg. "where did you get it done last time"
"I haven't, but someone told me it was the right thing to do for photographs"

One observation, and this is all strictly IMHO: many photographers bring photos straight from the lab. (there being a big commercial lab in town who do "trade" and the general public) I've found that the fresher they are from the lab, the more likely they are to cockle. I presume this is something to do with them needing to dry out fully.

The Catcher · Post by **The Catcher** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 3:52 pm

osgood wrote: I think one of the reasons for mounting on aluminium is for the flatness. ie almost no orange peel shows in the surface of the print when mounted.

Osgood, I think you hit the nail on the head. In the documentation he mentioned that it could be possible that if the print was mounted onto normal backing, there could be an orange peel effect.

The photographer is http://scottmunchenberg.com.au/

I got a quote this morning from Photoartistry http://www.photoartistry.co.uk/ at £108-00 for mounting onto aluminium.

I will try the other names mentioned in this thread.

Thanks for all the replies.

Cheers,

George.

The Catcher · Post by **The Catcher** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 4:08 pm

Ouch!!!!

Just got a quote from John Jones - in the region of £200.

Can't believe it is so expensive to mount onto aluminium.

Cheers

George.

kaptain.kopter · Post by **kaptain.kopter** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 4:24 pm

The Catcher said :

Just got a quote from John Jones - in the region of £200.

What size is the print you've got?

I've only had two of my images mounted onto aluminium and then floated them inside a frame.

I must say, they look the canines genitals.

The Catcher · Post by **The Catcher** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 4:31 pm

kaptain.kopter wrote: What size is the print you've got?

Kaptain, the image measures 157cm X45cm.

Cheers

George.

kaptain.kopter · Post by **kaptain.kopter** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 5:20 pm

George

157cm X45cm, that's a substantial print.

I don't think you'll get it much cheaper anwhere else.

Try

http://www.abliss.co.uk/

They're supposed to be mounting specialists but I haven't used them myself.

Regards

Martin

The Catcher · Post by **The Catcher** » Mon 20 Aug, 2007 8:20 pm

It is quite large.

Thanks for that link, Martin, will give them a ring in the morning.

Cheers,

George

palitana · Post by **palitana** » Thu 23 Aug, 2007 7:18 pm

Hiya,

I usually point people in the direction of Bliss for specialist mounting, they do a lot for artists.
You could also try Kay mounting, who are in a mews off Stroud green road..behind John jones(London N4)..sorry don't know number, but you should be able to google. I had not used them, but was told they are good and probably cheaper than the others.

Not your average framer · Thu 23 Aug, 2007 8:20 pm

kaptain.kopter wrote:George

157cm X45cm, that's a substantial print.

I don't think you'll get it much cheaper anwhere else.

I'm surprised it's so cheap! Considering the size and the technical difficulties, £200 must be a really great deal.

The thickness of the aluminium would need to be adequate for the size and the aluminium would need to be cut to size before mounting onto it.

Therefore the alignment of the photo and the aluminium when applying adhering the photo implies considerable skill and expertise. I would presume they are using a presure sensitive adhesive film and a roller type machine. Think about it, £200 has got to be a snip!