Easy-On Mounting
By Caitlin Downs
29 July 2007
A gallery quality canvas mounting of a photograph is an attractive way to present your work. It is also a rather expensive form of presentation that can easily cost one hundred dollars or more. For artists on a budget there is a clever alternative. If you can't have your photo on canvas, then why not mount over canvas. The following is a cheap and easy way to mount a photograph.
You will need a pre-stretched canvas, printing paper (or a printed photograph), spray mount, a staple gun with a full magazine of staples, and something to cut with, like scissors or a utility blade. You may want to have varnish (bottled or in a spray can), a ruler, and a pen or pencil.
When printing your photo, make sure the measurements are at least two inches greater that the pre-mounted canvas frame, i.e. if the frame is 8 x 10 inches, print the photo at 10 x 12 inches or greater. Also, I would recommend printing on non-glossy paper, especially if it is plastic backed, because the paper needs to be able to stretch and adhere. Matte paper or cotton based paper works best, or you can add a touch of style by printing on textured paper that mimics canvas.
Step One: Center the canvas against the back of the printed photo. If you wish, you can use a ruler to make sure the canvas is evenly centered and make registration marks on the paper at the corners of the canvas.
Step Two: Take the spray mount and spray both the paper and the canvas. Once the spray mount is tacky, place the canvas in alignment with the center of the photo's reverse side. Turn over the canvas and smooth out the photograph that is freshly mounted.
Step Three: Cut off the corners of the paper up to the corner of the canvas as shown. I prefer to first cut at a less than 90 degree angle, so as to avoid leaving exposed canvas. You can cut the paper edges to be flush before you staple down the paper.
Step Four: Next you fold the excess paper over the edges of the canvas and staple the paper to the back of the canvas frame. Make sure to pull the paper tightly over the canvas edge before you staple it. Once stapled, you can consider the project completed, or if it is to your liking, you can spray or paint on a layer of varnish for a more painterly appearance.
For the minimal cost of the supplies you have a mounted picture ready to be hung and displayed. Depending upon what supplies you so chose to buy, you can have either a nifty piece of personalized craftwork or gallery quality artwork. To achieve the latter, I would recommend printing with archival ink and paper. I would still suggest pre-mounted canvas for professional work, so that the paper has a form to adhere to and so it doesn't become over stretched. If you're willing to spend more, you can always consider upgrading to self-mounting inkjet ready canvas. Pictorico is a good company to buy from, but it will cost close to $1.75 per 8 1/2" x 11" sheet. In addition to that, you'll need to buy a frame and learn to stretch the canvas properly.
If you want to try mounting a preexisting photo, glossy should still be avoided if possible, and if the paper is plastic backed you may want to consider a stronger adhesive. Also, be careful when folding and stretching the print. Lab prints are more vulnerable to creasing and tearing.
Enjoy the technique, and feel free to improvise and make it your own.
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