Using Foamcore for framing

Using Foamcore for framing. Photo Framing and Mounting Materials

When it’s time to mount your photographic masterpiece, you have many different photo framing supplies from which to choose. Good quality mount board is necessary to ensure that your photo print displays properly; the right kind of photography frames are also important in order for your image to look its best as well as to protect your image from humidity, lights and airborne contaminants. As with other aspects of photography, it is important to use the best photo framing supplies that you can afford.
Extend the Life Of Your Prints

Acid-free mount board is perhaps the best kind of photo mount board to use. A low pH, or acidic environment can play havoc with photographic images because of the nature of photographic dyes. Acid-free mount board prevents one cause of photo deterioration.

Foamcore mount board and mat board offer the advantage of being lightweight yet strong and durable. Foamcore and foamboard are also easy to work with; novices will find little difficulty in cutting these materials to the required shape. However, if you plan to preserve your photo images at museum or archival quality, you’ll definitely want to consider bainbridge mat and mount board.

Regardless of the photo mount board you decide upon, it’s important to affix your photo properly. This is one of those photo framing supplies that can make or break your project; it may be tempting to use glue or spray adhesive, and indeed these are very economical to use. However, the chemicals contained in these adhesives can destroy the photographic dyes that make up your image, so extreme caution must be exercised when using these products.

A better choice for attaching your print to the mount board is adhesive mounting tissue. This works much like double-sided adhesive tape, but is formulated especially for mounting photographs. The only drawback here is that it will be difficult to remove the photograph should you decide later to change the mat or the mount board.
Framed!

Among the other photo framing supplies to consider is the frame. Attractive, quality photography frames may not directly have an effect on how well you’re your photos are preserved from the ravages of time, but an unattractive, low-quality frame does no justice to a beautiful photograph.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding the selection of photography frames, but you’ll want to select one that is appropriate to the subject of the print. For example, a primitive, rough-hewn frame may be completely appropriate and natural to use for a photograph of Western scenery, such as the Nevada wilderness or an old, run-down barn, but it doesn’t suit an urban panorama of New York City at night. A little common sense and attention to detail will guide you in the proper selection of a frame as well as other photo framing supplies.

Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it's a safeguard for something you love.