Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

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Moglet
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Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

Hi all,

I got a job in last weekend - a stunning black and white poster of Frazier and Ali on a heavyweight photo medium (sizewise about A1-ish), and I'd welcome recommendations and advice on the smoothest, reasonably priced, and readily available material on which I should drymount it.

The smoothest thing I have in the workshop is foamcore. Would display board give a better result? Can anyone recommend a supplier?

Also, out of curiosity just how expensive is it to drymount onto aluminium?
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Dermot

Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Dermot »

O'Sullivans Graphics

Give the Tallaght branch a call that where the supply products for sign makers from...

http://www.osullivangraphics.com/links.html
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Bagpuss »

Hi,
I bought a Hotpress last year and although I haven't got as much experience using it as some of the other members of the Forum, I did go to one of Steve Goodal's free Hotpress Training days. I have used the Hotpress White Display Board substrate for bigger photos, it's 2000 micron and does provide a very rigid, lightweight backing . It's very smooth and minimizes the orange peel effect.

Excuse me if I'm teaching you to suck eggs ! :Slap:

Check out http://www.hotpress.co.uk/substrates%20p18.pdf , there's plenty of info there.

Good Luck,

Adam (B'Puss)
My real name is Adam Laver aka "Adam The Picture Framer", just in case you were unsure ; )
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Bill Henry
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Bill Henry »

There is a product called “GatorBoard” which is a very thin, dense layer of foam-like material covered on both sides by a very smooth layer of what looks and feels like Masonite®. (Unless you let it sit for a few days, the fumes will give you a headache.) It is specifically designed for the graphic arts industry.

We’ve used it on several occasions for the Manchester (NH) Airport in public areas where it can take a beating that FoamBoard can’t handle. It is virtually indestructible.

Other than a sheet of aluminum (which can dent easily), it is the smoothest mounting board I’ve found. It is heavier than FoamBoard and quite difficult to cut, so you need to score it several times with a sharp box cutter and good straight edge. A mat/glass cutter will not do.
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

Thanks for quick responses, peeps.

Dermot, tried O'Sullivan's website, but it's not what I'd call 'shopper-friendly'. I will give them a call tomorrow.

Bill, is there a brand name associated with Gatorboard (e.g. Murphy's Gatorboard)? All the suppliers Google throws out are in the states. :( Also, bit confused by your "fumes" comment. Could you explain further, please?

Bagpuss, you sayin' I look like a granny? :P :lol:
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Dermot

Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Dermot »

Áine

O’Sullivans have the material that Bill described but they don’t call it Gator Board, I have seen it there when I have called a few times…..

Some people in Ireland describe the fluted board that you see on house sale signs as gator board, the name of the smooth stuff just won’t come to me….

I think you could describe it to them as smooth ridged board white, they will most likely have it in about 6mm and 10mm thick and I think they are 6ft x 10ft sheets …………it’s quite light to handle and should cut OK on a Fletcher 3100 or similar….

It quite a nice material, I have used it a few times…….

BTW if it is just a one off have you considered mounting it on clear acrylic (plex) sheeting….that might work...
Dermot

Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Dermot »

The sign supply side of O’Sullivens is for the trade only they don’t have a website for that side of the business……..
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

Thanks for additional info, Dermot! (How does he do that????? :) )

Two questions:

1. Can you get plexi from your normal glass supplier?

2. What technique would be suitable for mounting the image? (Adhesive + pressure? / Dry mount film/tissue and heat/pressure?) My heat press scares the willies out of me at the best of times, and I'd like to experiment before working on the customer's artwork.
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Dermot

Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Dermot »

Here is another company that does plastic sheeting http://www.accessplastics.com/?cat=70 they take a bit of getting used to when you do business with them….
Dermot

Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Dermot »

Some of the glass suppliers will have it, but they may charge you an arm and a leg……….generally the glass companies are getting it from the plastic supply companies ……….

Try Jerry or Gerry at Glass and Mirror or Mirror and Glass in Limerick 061 333630 he is a forum member….

As far as I know you just mount in the normal manner on to plex……..I would try a few throw away samples first…….

One thing to watch for is static when you are using any of the plastic sheeting products it grabs dirt very easy…..you need to make sure that the sheeting is very clean…….also if it has a protective film on the sheeting peel it off very slowly that way you keep the static down, also clean the edges before you peel the film off….with a slightly damp cloth …..an old tee shirt is what I found best….
Dermot

Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Dermot »

If you just want to farm the job out Joe Murphy of Mercury Framing specialises in mounting for the framing business….01 492 4766…

Tell him I said he was to look after you……..he will most likely tell you the best way to do it if you tell him you have a hotpress….
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

Buíochas arís, Dermot. My current glass supplier is due to deliver to me tomorrow. I'll give him a tinkle in the morning to see if he has the necessary in stock, and he can piggyback it onto the order. Even if it's not at best price, it would be convenient, and it would be no harm to get a sheet to experiment on, if nothing else. I'd really love to be able to offer customers a really smooth finish on drymounted items, especially larger / artistic pieces where cellulite is really noticeable...




(Don't go there, Robo... :P ;) )
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by prospero »

Lemme know how you get on Áine. I have two big glossies to mount and the customer is very picky. :? The orange-peel effect is not normaly a prob as I don't mount many many hi-gloss photos. These he wants close-framed in a minimal ally frame with spacers. (He wanted them block-mounted, but I talked him out of that. :P )

btw. If they don't have to be shiney, you could de-gloss them with a matt/satin heatseal film.
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

prospero wrote:... If they don't have to be shiney, you could de-gloss them with a matt/satin heatseal film.
Therein lies the rub, sirrah! It's the sort of gloss that isn't 'shiny' shiny.

This print really is stu-nning: it's a beautiful, rich gloss: the blacks are as inkpool-deep as the dilated pupils of a besotted lover under Mediterranean midnight skies ... ... ... but I digress.

It's a piece deserving of what I imagine aluminium drymounting delivers. Here's a link to the image.

The web pic does absolutely NOTHING for the gen-u-wyne article. The onscreen greys are, in print, beautifully subtle, textured chromes.... bored yet? (Photo medium is Kodak "Endura", btw). As we say over here about things of real beauty: "You'd stand and look at it!"

It's going to be close-framed in one of LJ's Gramercy blacks: poyfick complement to the piece. A-n-d.... it would be under museum/waterwhite glass if I had my way - it'd be worth it...

R-e-e-e-e-l-l-y don't want cellulite on this one.
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

prospero wrote:... He wanted them block-mounted, but I talked him out of that.
Maith an fear! ;)
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Bill Henry »

Moglet wrote: Bill, is there a brand name associated with Gatorboard (e.g. Murphy's Gatorboard)? All the suppliers Google throws out are in the states. :( Also, bit confused by your "fumes" comment. Could you explain further, please?
Àine,

From a web site, not Alcan’s:

“Produced by Alcan Inc., Gatorfoam is an extruded polystyrene foam mounting board encased between layers of a melamine and wood fibre veneer. Gatorfoam/Gatorboard has a harder outer surface than other foam core boards and resists warping.

Gator board is available in a white, black or natural (kraft) finish. For special applications (mounting photos and posters) it is available with an adhesive coating already applied. Black Gatorboard is not recommended for outdoor use as the color accelerates UV breakdown.

Gatorboard is available in the following thicknesses: 3/16 inch, 1/2 inch , 3/4 inch ,1 inch,1-1/2inch, and 2 inch. It is usually sold by the piece, but is available in full sheets sized 4ft by 8 ft up to up to 5 ft by 10 ft.”

We use 3/16" GatorBoard most frequently for dry mounting.

From what I gather the smell is “off gassing” from the “Masonite”-like veneer. Masonite uses formaldehyde in the processing, and we’ve found that unless we wait a few days before using it, the smell is very distracting and gives me, at least, a wicked headache. After a while the smell goes away.
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Moglet »

Thanks for additional info, chaps. Didn't get a chance to follow up on it today. Might have to leave the enquiries till Monday now (gallery closed to public, so easier to do phone stuff). Will let you know how I get on.
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Not your average framer »

Hi Aine,

There are supplier's who provide 3mm thick polished aluminium sheets to companies which make front panels for electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers. It's available in either polished or matt anodised finish. They are produced to have a flawless finish. A front panel manufacturer somewhere should be able to cut and supply the size you require, if you are brave enough to dry mount it yourself. I think the matt anodised type would be the best for the job.

You can dry mount onto aluminium if you use the right dry mount materials, but it's not an easy job with high gloss photos as any specs of dust uder the photo are likely to show. A specialist with a track record for this sort of work might be the best course of action.

Another thought, do you have a branch of Robert Horne around your way? If so a phone call to them may be worth a try as they do all sorts of display board products. You may need to ask them to find you a local stockist as they have quite a large minimum order requirement.
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Re: Desperately Seeking Smooth Drymount Surface

Post by Townsend »

Did you solve this problem Aine? I've given up trying to get a satisfactory result trying to drymount glossies in my vacuum press. The best result I have had is with Arqadia's Photo-Fix foam core. By the way I once had a roll of silicone release film replaced by Hotpress. Batches can be different, and one lot in particular did cause problems.
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