The Framers Forum

I have a very thin and very old Japanese woodblock print to float mount (edges to be visible).

Although the paper is thin it is fairly opaque and I thought about using gummed Japanese hinging paper in small strips at various points on the back.

Can anyone offer any expert advice on this please?

Many thanks,

FifeFramer

This May Help

Placing a wet hinge within the image area is very risky, especially on thin paper. The pre-gummed stuff is convenient but you have little control - one size/type does not suit all.

If you make your own hinges from Japanese tissue you have control over the weight and the colour of the paper. You also have control over how feathered the edges of the hinge you have made are and, if you like, you can apply paste to JUST those fibres.

You'll need to make your own paste for those hinges - so you also have control over that, from runny to stiff.

There's plenty of links on how to do this but a lot of practice on many different types and weights of paper is required before you should tackle anything you don't own yourself ..... and you could still screw it up!

Depending on the size and the value (monetary or otherwise) I'd be encouraging either a normal aperture mount with hinges outside the image area or, if the edge of the paper really really HAD to be shown, encapsulation or overlay with clear archival polyester film (Melinex/Mylar)

Thanks for your help on this guys.
It's certainly a tricky one!
I'm still mulling it over but the clock is ticking!!