Foamboard

[Oliver123]

Hi guys,

After some advice here.....We have recently made the change from mdf to foamboard for mounting photos, prints etc. However we are now experiencing some problem with the foamboard warping over time. To give you some history - we tried the adhesive foamboard but find it very unforgiving (once down it's on for life - no wiggle room at all) and we do not have room for a jet mounter which, from what I read, I believe will eliminate bubbling etc. So we have tried using a glue on the foam board - this works well, until the board warps. I now understand why this happens but wondered what other mounting options there are for foamboard but will eliminate this issue. We don't have this problem when the job requires mats, only when mounting a print with no mat into the frame. Does adhesive spray eliminate this problem or should we be doing something else? Appreciate your thoughts....

[prospero]

Hi and Welcome Oliver.

First of all forget spraymount. It's very unreliable and unpleasant to use.

If you are using a heat process like a vacuum press, the substrate tends to get dried out. Once out the press the back will absorb moisture from the atmos, but the front is covered by the print, hence the back will get bigger than the front hence the bend.

On large panels warping is always going to be a problem. I never mount onto foamcore, but I have mounted stuff onto two layers on mountboard. It does mean using twice as much mounting tissue/film and you need to take the item out the press and leave it to cool under weight.

Using wet mounting methods you are always going to have problems with relative humidity. Foamcore doesn't absorb moisture like card, but it does have a facing of paper. You might try sealing the back of the foamcore with something like a spray varnish. May or may not work, but worth a try.

[233ART]

Try sticking a paper backing, same thickness as the photo paper, to the reverse of the foamboard.Using the same adhesive...
This has the effect of equalizing the pressure on the board...
I have used this method in the past...
Pete...

[markw]

if you wish to get a good finish dry mounting photos then you really need to invest in the equipment. If you get a Jetmounter - or equivalent you will wonder why you hadn't got one before - they make the task of dry mounting onto foamboard easy - and the finish will be more reliable than any hand application. * I realise you say you don't have the room but unless your going to put a large one in - they don't take up a lot of space.

[Graysalchemy]

I think you answered your own question by saying you don't use a jet mounter. You can only realistically use self adhesive boards with a cold roller. I learnt a long time ago that if your are offering a professional service or you want to frame to professional standards then you need professional equipment, there are no short cuts IMHO.

[IFGL]

What the last two said

[Tyto]

I recently made some foam board panels and initially had a problem with the board warping. Mine consisted of a photo dry mounted onto foam board and laminated to give a wipe clean surface. I then attached a sub frame to the back of the foam board slightly smaller than the board and added a hanger to attach the panel to the wall. My solution to prevent the warping was to laminate the back pace of the foam board before adding the sub frame, this appears to have solved the issue as both surface now absorb / lose moisture at the same rate there preventing the foam board from warping.

[Oliver123]

Thanks everyone for your replies....some points to ponder