Digital BW, The Print

Hello Roy,

>All I've ever done is dry mount one photo in class and frame 
>others. I like the effect when I guess it would be called 
>double matting..

Dry mounting (or not) and the style of matting are really two separate
issues.  Dry mounting makes emulsion prints look better because the
papers curl and wrinkle from being wet.  As for matting, there are
basically two approaches, either covering or not covering the edge of
the image.  Single or double matting is just a matter of style.

Not covering the image is usually favored by
museums/collectors/dealers because it means that nothing is hidden,
such as damaged edges, and assures that the entire image is visible,
nothing is cropped off by the mat.

Assuming the image is not covered, the next question is whether or not
the border is trimmed off the print.  Because dry mounting involves
using tissue which must be trimmed, trimming away the border
completely, what's called a "floating mount", is very common. 

Since the papers we use in inkjet printing aren't wet they don't
wrinkle, so dry mounting isn't required.  We can leave a wide border
around the image and let the window mat cover the paper to hold it
flat (these papers can curl), and still not cover the image, leaving
the same amount of space around the image as we did with float
mounting.  The effect is the same, with the added advantage of the
signature being on the print instead of the mount board.  

If the print is attached to the mount board, as when dry mounting,
it's a challenge to get it positioned perfectly so it's properly
spaced in the window mat.  Since we aren't dry mounting, we can attach
the print to the window mat instead, making it much easier to get it
positioned just right.  This makes the entire process much easier and
faster.

The method of attachment is to use acid free linen tape (there are
various types) in some manner of hinge (various way to do it).  The
important thing is not to tape the image on all sides.  It is said
that there is some shrinking and swelling as humidity changes, and if
the print isn't free to adjust, wrinkling can result.  Most people
here have said they hinge the top side only - that's what I do.

A while back someone posted a link to a web site that showed different
ways of hinging...does anyone still have that?  I hope this is
helpful.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm








If a different style of presentation not using a mat is desired, then
 some sort of mounting process may be needed to keep the print flat.