The Framers Forum

got a request from a professional photograper to frame his prints.
they are digitally printed giclee prints using premium lustre photo paper, and he charges quite a lot for them.
they are mounted on a black mountboard and there is no backing board used. he also uses a black tape to seal the back ( blue underside. what and where do get this )
i need to invest in a machine to mount the prints onto the board. So is it a vacuum press i need or a jetmounter?
Also there is no window mount used and the prints touch the glass , is this wise ?

It's not good for anything, especially that costs a lot, to be against the glass. A black window mount with a black core would look pretty much the same as the photo being mounted on to a black board and then you could hinge it instead of dry mounting it, which is also not good for things that cost a lot.

Here's some black tape http://www.lionpic.co.uk/product/B-BLAC ... 11751.aspx

when i say mounted on a black board i ment the black is facing the back. he is just using a white border on the print.
if he insists on doing it without window mounts though, hotpress or jetmounter?

Some ink jet inks can be affected by dry mounting in a heated press. This does not happen with a jet mounted, but in general most cold mounting and cold laminating materials cost more than normal dry mount materials.

It would help to find out if the inks your customer is using are affected by heat. It's a complicated subject and it might be your best move to go on a Hot Press training day, before making any decision.

Hello Greenhorn,

You have asked a very complex question - one which shoots off in many directions & opens several cans of worms all at once - kapow!!!!

So where to begin - the easy way to answer is to say you can't strictly compare a jetmounter to a hot glass vacuum press. "What"??? I hear some folk saying....

Well it is like comparing a morso to an under pinner - sure they are both used for making frames & in general they both have a foot pedal - but there the similarities end. It's like comparing rabbits with apples or caravans with boats...

A good point mentioned above is the customers inkjet printer make & model - on the whole the latest Hewlett Packard & Canon models are "less suseptable" to colour shifts under heat than other makes that are commonly in use...

If it helps you can drop me an email to stevegoodall@hotpress.co.uk & I will send you a DVD that shows the benefits of both systems. I just need an address. If you add your phone number I would be happy to give you a call to work through the customers needs - such as...

How big will the finished work be / what kind of paper is he using / why no over mount / how much space do you have for a machine / what is the expected lifespan of the work / what kind of budget do you have / what other uses do you have for one or other of these machines / have you seen anything second hand that may be suitable - and so the list goes on....

...a complex question - as I said - but fear not - we are all here to help - so please drop me an email with your details...

Steve