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photo mounting help

SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
edited August 1, 2006 in Mind Your Own Business
I have been looking into printing large images for commercial use. Currently my day job employer would like one of my photos printed at about 40” X 60” to hang in the lobby. The printing isn’t posing any real problems, but where I am having difficulty is mounting the photo. My idea is to mount (glue) professionally the photo to say gator board, then I am thinking about a frame, sub frame on the back to provide rigidity, and keep the print flat against, and about an inch off the wall. I have seen this done, but can’t find anyone who actually does it, or can explain how to do it. Does any one here know how this is done or know of any shops that can do this.

The intent is to provide a large high quality fine art print that will look good in a commercial environment without the expense of a full frame with matting, and glass.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Sam

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    Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2006
    Just a thought. Foamcore with acrylic face held together with metal/chrome/aluminum gallery clips/angles. This gives you a no frame, professional looking display. Glass would be nice..but heavy. Acrylic will ...overtime get dull, scratched and hazy...but is light and easy to work with.

    Might spray mount the image to the white foamcore (leaving a boarder if you like) then place the protective glass/acrylic over this (cut to fit obvioulsy). Then mount all together with the gallery type mounting brackets/clips/angles. (sorry..can't think of the "trade" name for these. Just a simple clamp device you put on the backing/glass combo. Positioning them at the corners/sides and middle of long runs. (might have 6-10 claps on your display).

    To make this set up a bit more ridged...you could back it all with a piece of tempered masonite. Painted white/black to enhance the display. You would just see the very edge of this masonite. You could also apply the mounting (to the wall) hardware on this...where as if you just use the clamps..that will be your mounting hardware.
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
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    SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2006
    Just a thought. Foamcore with acrylic face held together with metal/chrome/aluminum gallery clips/angles. This gives you a no frame, professional looking display. Glass would be nice..but heavy. Acrylic will ...overtime get dull, scratched and hazy...but is light and easy to work with.

    Might spray mount the image to the white foamcore (leaving a boarder if you like) then place the protective glass/acrylic over this (cut to fit obvioulsy). Then mount all together with the gallery type mounting brackets/clips/angles. (sorry..can't think of the "trade" name for these. Just a simple clamp device you put on the backing/glass combo. Positioning them at the corners/sides and middle of long runs. (might have 6-10 claps on your display).<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/headscratch.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" > <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/headscratch.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

    To make this set up a bit more ridged...you could back it all with a piece of tempered masonite. Painted white/black to enhance the display. You would just see the very edge of this masonite. You could also apply the mounting (to the wall) hardware on this...where as if you just use the clamps..that will be your mounting hardware. <thinking he's making no sense at this point>

    Thanks for your response. I have mounted a 20" X 30" print to 1/2" foamcore, but while lite, it has warped a little. That's why I am looking to use gator board, especialy for larger pieces. I do not want to use glass / acrylic for this type of mounting. Looking for a clean lite, easy to mount product, with reduced cost.

    Sam
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    bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2006
    Not sure, but a possible solution is at www.pixeloutpost.com and then click on picture hangers. For my next large print I am gonna get these and see how it works. Maybe some here at dgrin has used them. Not sure but I got their site address from someone here at dgrin for a place that does really large prints.
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
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    SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2006
    bham wrote:
    Not sure, but a possible solution is at www.pixeloutpost.com and then click on picture hangers. For my next large print I am gonna get these and see how it works. Maybe some here at dgrin has used them. Not sure but I got their site address from someone here at dgrin for a place that does really large prints.

    This is a different way to disply photos. Not sure this would work in a lobby environment with the prospect of wind gusting through an open door, but good to see alternate ideas!

    Sam
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    AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited June 17, 2006
    Sam:

    I use these items often.

    http://www.crlaurence.com/ProductPages/showLine.asp?GroupID=14437&Path=::3570::14437


    Also, check with your local branch of "Sign-A-Rama" (yes, there's one in SJ) They may be able to print your images directly onto gatorboard thereby eliminating the need to mount the print. I have this done often with display posters using waterproof, UV inks.
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    SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited June 18, 2006
    I posted this question on Fred Miranda forum, and Phil posted just what I was looking for. I have coppied his post (sure hope he doesn't mimd). This looks like an easy full proof way to do this. I plan on adding a 1' X 1" wood piece say 10" or so from the bottom to keep the image parallel to the wall.


    Sam, here is a little drawing I did to explain the way I do it. for larger prints you can add a second block of wood a few feet down to add extra support and keep it from flying away from the wall.

    The blue things are the wood blocks, one screwed into the wall, the other glued to the back of the print. This is a side view. Things to watch out for, make absolutely sure that the block on the wall is level , and make sure that it is level on the back of the picture or the thing will hang crooked. You can run it almost the entire length of the photo, probabaly want to come in a few inches on each side so that it is not visible. The blocks on the wall can be shorter which will allow you to slide the photo left and right if you are spacing many images on the same wall and want even spacing. This method works very good for masonite which can be quite heavy, it will also keep it from warping.

    Phil




    a.gifphoto_mount.gifa.gif



    ____________________________
    Phillip Cohen
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    AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited June 20, 2006
    Sam:

    That's an effective way to tackle the job. The device you're about to use is known as a Johnson Cleat and created simply by running a length of wood through a table saw with the blade set at 45', giving you a male/female joint.

    Word to the wise... for the size prints you plan on hanging you may want to glue a block near the bottom of the print also just to keep the a constant spacer from the wall. Good luck.
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    SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited June 21, 2006
    Angelo wrote:
    Sam:

    That's an effective way to tackle the job. The device you're about to use is known as a Johnson Cleat and created simply by running a length of wood through a table saw with the blade set at 45', giving you a male/female joint.

    Word to the wise... for the size prints you plan on hanging you may want to glue a block near the bottom of the print also just to keep the a constant spacer from the wall. Good luck.

    installing a spacer at the bottom is part of the plan!

    Sam
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    PWCPhotoPWCPhoto Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited July 31, 2006
    Sam wrote:
    installing a spacer at the bottom is part of the plan!

    Sam

    Sam, no I do not mind reposting it here. I am happy that the info I provided was helpful. One other thing if this is a large print is you may want to glue some vertical strips as well to prevent any warping.

    Take care,

    Phil
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    photofreakphotofreak Registered Users Posts: 233 Major grins
    edited August 1, 2006
    Sam wrote:
    installing a spacer at the bottom is part of the plan!

    Sam
    Sam...just wondering...is your logo on the print?:D
    Mandi
    Mandi :shay
    www.mandraleephotography.com



    Life is a compromise of what your ego wants to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.
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