Fine art print finishing defines your print as an object and should accomplish multiple goals. It must tie the object into its surroundings without distracting from the print. Depending on your needs, we offer a variety of options.
Lamination
Lamination protects and in some cases enhances your print. Face lamination protects the face of your print from light, dirt and scratches. Back mounting to a rigid substrate provides support. A frame defines the print as a visual object. Most mounting and laminating is produced in our studio.
Face Laminate
The following are two distinct types of fine art print finishing done in-house.
Face Mount
Viewing your print through optically clear Plexiglas adds an illusion of depth. To produce a face mount, an optically clear adhesive is used to attach the face of the print to Plexiglas. We use the highest rated optically clear adhesive on the market for clarity, strength and UV protection. See an example of a face mount here.
Liquid Laminate
Liquid laminate produces a rich, velvety effect while bringing out image detail and color intensity. The laminate is both scratch and water resistant and fortified with UV and light stabilizers. Because it is an acrylic liquid coating, the process involves dramatically less waste than traditional laminating techniques. Commonly used on canvas, we’ve found it also works well with photo satin paper. See an example of liquid laminate here.
Back Mount
We offer a variety of substrates to back mount your print.
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
High Impact Polystyrene is a thin impact resistant PVC material used as a backer for face mounted prints. It is thin yet durable, making it an excellent choice.
Plexiglas
Plexiglas is archival and durable with a smooth surface.
Dibond
Dibond is extremely rigid, durable, lightweight, as well as archival. Works well with large pieces.
Sintra
Sintra is also lightweight and archival. A PVC material that comes in black, white or grey. While not as strong as Dibond, it comes in a variety of colors. Sintra has a slightly textured surface making it less smooth than other substrates.
Gatorboard
Gatorboard is used for temporary displays. It is not archival but very lightweight and moisture resistant. It comes in black or white.
Foam-Core Jet Mount
Fome-Cor JetMount is comprised of dense, extruded polystyrene foam with clay-coated paper facers. The dense core provides increased rigidity and warp resistance. Great for short term photographic displays.
Framing
Floater Frame
A floater frame can be made with metal or wood. Our metal frames are made of welded aluminum. Maple wood frames can be finished in clear, black or white. An inset frame is applied to the back of the print and the print is then set inside the frame so that a small gap between the print edge and frame gives the illusion the print is floating. A floater frame adds a sophisticated, elegant, yet minimal finish.
Inset Frame
An inset frame does not show from the front but provides extra stability. The frame also sets the mounted print a certain distance from the wall and provides a sleek, minimalistic look. A cleat is attached for hanging.
Hang
Depending on the space your print will be displayed determines how it should be hung. Hanging devices can either be attached directly to the mounted print or to the frame. Options include:
Cleat
Our cleat is simply a board cut in half longwise at an angle so that when one piece is attached to the wall and the other to the back of the print, they will lock together.
Z-Clip
Works in the same way as a cleat except made of aluminum. Allows the print to stand ⅜” to ⅝” from the wall and comes in lengths from 1 ½” to 12’. Useful when clips will need to be removed from the print.
Standoff
A standoff is an aluminum screw that attaches a mounted print to a substrate or wall. This technique sandwiches an unmounted print between plexiglas. While standoffs are not hidden like other hanging techniques, they offer a stylish, modern look especially when combined with plexiglas. Works best with signage and donor walls as the print can easily be replaced with an updated version.
Suspension Cables
Suspension cables allow a mounted print to hang from a ceiling or track. Useful when an exhibit in the same space regularly changes or if screws can’t be drilled into a wall.
