Mounting photos, what do you use?

[mjs1973]

Just wondering what others use to mount their photos when matting them. I have used dry mount sheets in the past when I had access to a mounting press, but I don't have access to one anymore. I have used double sided photo tape also. It seems to work ok, but gets kind of expensive. I haven't tried any of the spay on adhesive yet, but I think I'm going to order some soon.

So what do others use?

[freygr]

I use Scotch Magic Mending Tape (Gasp)..... I tape the photo to the mat then it all goes into the frame. I have not had any problems in the last 7 years doing it that way, but if it is not going into a frame I would use spray photo mount as it is allot more forgiving than the iron and dry mount tissue. But you need a good rubber photo roller.

[walterick]

I heard once that most adhesives release a gas as they age, and that gas can affect the quality of the print in the frame over time. For that reason, I heard that the old photo corners are still the best for photo mounting.

All that being said, I use Scotch tape

[mjs1973]

Thanks for the info guys. I too have used Scotch tape. I sold some framed prints this weekend that were held to the mat with scotch tape. I don't like doing it that way because I'm afraid the customer would take the back off of the frame and see the tape. That doesn't look very professional to me.

I also sold some matted prints that were held together with double sided tape. It's not noticeable at all as long as everything stays together, but I had one that just didn't want to stick for some reason.

[mtbbrian]

Michael,
Check out Light Impressions, they have a good selection of dry and wet tapes that are achival and look a lot better than than "Scotch tape".
Good Luck!
Brian

[Loupey]

The spray one stuff, although quite effective, can get quite messy. And if you're doing a lot of images, it can take a long time as you have to coat both surfaces and wait a few minutes before mounting.

I use artists acid-free mounting tape and tape across the top edge only. Allowing the print to expand/contract freely on the remaining 3 sides so that it doesn't develope a bow in it.

Good for doing a bunch of images quickly.