Question for printing for contest

RBrogen

Hey all,

I'm entering a print competition where I need to conform to strict size and thickness requirements. The size I am good to go on which is all prints need to be 16x20 but the print has to be mounted on foam core or mount board. I know of the "gator board" that we have available but my understanding is that it causes the print to have a texture to it which is not what I want. My question is am I mistaken about the gator board and if not how do I go about getting the appropriate foam core or mount board that when finished with the print will be between 1/8" and 3/16" in overall thickness? I appreciate any assistance.

Best,
Randy

Andy

Randy, there's no texture here
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/mounted-prints

RBrogen

Andy wrote:

Randy, there's no texture here
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/mounted-prints

Thank you Andy...one last question on this...I notice that they come ready to hang....however I have to shop the prints in a salon case so I wanted to know are the mounting blocks on the back of the board removable?

Andy

RBrogen wrote:

Thank you Andy...one last question on this...I notice that they come ready to hang....however I have to shop the prints in a salon case so I wanted to know are the mounting blocks on the back of the board removable?

Yes, they are A butter knife would do the trick.

RBrogen

Andy wrote:

Yes, they are A butter knife would do the trick.

Sounds perfect.....I assume that can be as easily re-attached?

Andy

RBrogen wrote:

Sounds perfect.....I assume that can be as easily re-attached?

Sure. Glue

Art Scott

[ quote=RBrogen] Originally Posted by RBrogen
Thank you Andy...one last question on this...I notice that they come ready to hang....however I have to shop the prints in a salon case so I wanted to know are the mounting blocks on the back of the board removable? [/quote]

Andy wrote:

Yes, they are A butter knife would do the trick.

Could you ask that they are not attached at all??

Andy

Art Scott wrote:

Could you ask that they are not attached at all??

No, we're just not set up for that yet. We will be, one day, but not today.

takeflightphoto

Art Scott wrote:

[ quote=RBrogen] Originally Posted by RBrogen
Thank you Andy...one last question on this...I notice that they come ready to hang....however I have to shop the prints in a salon case so I wanted to know are the mounting blocks on the back of the board removable?

Could you ask that they are not attached at all??[/QUOTE]

In this case, I'd purchase direct from BAY. Their ROES has a category for contest prints that appears to meet all the requirement for this specialized use. I don't think that many contests allow for the 'floating' type of mount, but rather, they hang them flush against a common backdrop for viewing under quite harsh lighting conditions.

Quote from the BayPhoto ROES:
"Bay Photo's award-winning Competition Prints are individually created by our most experienced technicians, providing maximum impact. Printed on Kodak Endura Glossy Paper; Metallic and Fuji High Gloss are optional. Mounted on strong and durable foamboard that meets competition standards. Prints ordered through the Full Color Correction version of Bay ROES are adjusted for competition lighting, which is about 20% darker than for normal viewing. 16x20 Mounted Competition Prints starting at $28.75!

"We know competition prints are a reflection of you, so we want to make them look as good as possible for the judges, this means we may require additional time to create these stunning prints. Please allow for longer turnaround times."

Hope that helps.

jon

Art Scott

I have worked local (camera club) and internation salons (PSA salons) and the prints were simply placed on an easel for viewing one at a time........or laid out on tables for the judges to circulate around them making their grade on the "report cards".......and then when they are hung for public viewing (city library or Art Museum) they are hung with pins above and below.....nothing thru the mats or photos........of course every salon is different by local and how wealthy the hosting group iswink

RBrogen

Thanks for all of the great info. I can't wait to see the prints when they get here!