The Print HouseServices

Face mounting on Perspex® acrylic sheets gives an image a rich, sharp and deep HD look, all while allowing a print to be protected from scratches and UV rays, from both sides without any need for a frame. Transparent silicone is used to create two rigid layers encasing the print: a top layer made of transparent Perspex® (matte, glossy or museum-grade) and a back layer made of Dibond®. The Perspex® in front of the print emphasizes the clarity and vibrancy of the colors, and gives the finished work a fresh look. No glass floating frames are a great option for face mounted works. Alternatively, an aluminum back frame hanging system gives the work the appearance of floating 1-2 cm away from the wall. Choose between three types of finishes: Glossy Perspex® that enriches the colors and contrast; Matte Perspex® that reduces glare but also mutes contrast and colors; Museum-grade anti-reflective Perspex®, called TruLife®, which, like museum-grade glass, is glossy and brings colors to life while at the same time reducing glare and increasing the three-dimensional feeling of a work. Museum-grade Perspex® is coated with a protective 99% UV filter, scratch-resistant and anti-static, which prevents dust from clinging to the surface.

Mounting on a Dibond® surface affords a work the maximum level of archival preservation. Dibond® is about 3-4 mm thick and is made of two layers of aluminum with black polyethylene in between the two. We use an acid-free adhesive made in Germany that does not contain toxins that could damage an image over time. An aluminum back frame hanging system can be hung to the back to give a work the appearance of floating 1-2 cm from the wall. Box frames and no glass floating frames are great options for Dibond mounted prints. As with any other glass-free frame, works are vulnerable to the risk of scratches, dust, and fingerprints. To counteract this, we recommend printing on laminated RC paper.

Gray KAPA® (KAPA®fix) and white Kapa (KAPA®line) foam board are made in Germany and provide a high level of conservation. KAPA®fix is a lightweight foam board with self-adhesive, aluminum-reinforced paperboard that keeps it smooth and stable over time. It has a polyurethane foam core and comes in thicknesses of 10 mm or 5 mm, depending on the size of the print. The more affordable KAPA®line is a lightweight foam board with layers of coated carton board and a polyurethane foam core. Unlike KAPA®fix it is not aluminum-reinforced or self-adhesive. We recommend mounting works larger than 120 cm on gray KAPA. We use an acid-free double-sided adhesive when mounting to white KAPA foam board. White KAPA foam board is a cheaper option than gray KAPA foam board, but is still a high-quality and long-lasting option. Box frames and no glass floating frames are both great options for works mounted on white or gray KAPA foam board.

PVC comes in white or black and is a compressed plastic material , that comes in different thicknesses from 2 mm to 10 mm. PVC panels are foam-free unlike KAPA foam board. Like works mounted on Dibond, PVC panels are usually hung using an aluminum back frame hanging system that gives them the appearance of floating 1-2 cm from the wall. As with any other glass-free frame, works are vulnerable to the risk of scratches, dust, and fingerprints. To counteract this, we recommend printing on laminated RC paper.

This technique is suitable for mounting large works, or for use without frames. The gator board is a durable material and a cheaper option than mounting on Dibond.