Matting borderless Prints

[SteveZ]

I'm curious to know if what techniques are available for matting borderless prints. I'm printing 17" x 22" prints with an Epson 3800. Normally I would leave a 1" to 2" white border to overlap for matting, but in this application I need a full 17" x 22" print size.
Any suggestions?

[peterst6906]

The easiest way I've used is to mount the print to foam core with a T hinge and then allow 2-3 mm overlap of the cut-out in the matting.

To mount with a T hinge, basically you apply a piece of tape to the bottom side of the print, sticky side up that sticks to the underside of the print, but overlaps the edge so some of the tape is visible. Then you just place the print in the right location and apply another piece of tape over the exposed piece of the original tape. Apply that in a couple of locations along the top edge of the print and it will hold easily.

Hope that helps.

Rgeards,

Peter

[SteveZ]

Thanks, Peter, yes it does help, appreciated.

[mike mason]

How about mounting it to matt board by way of a dry mounting press. It works well and is a old and true way of matting the borderless as now the peice is larger then the print. Then you can cut your matt to the size of the print.


Mike M

[LeeF]

Virtually all of my prints are borderless and I use a couple of different methods based on size. Anything under 12 x 18, I use ATG tape across the top third and on the back of the image attaching it to the foamboard or matboard backing. Then I cut a mat that overlaps the image by 1/4" to 3/8" on each size depending on the customers desire on mat width. This is usually the liner or "under" mat.

For 12x18 or larger,I dry mount it to foamboard. You'll never get a wrinkle or wave with a dry mount. I bought a used dry mount press on ebay for $250 and it paid for itself in no time.

Good luck

[SteveZ]

Lee, not sure I understand the first method you describe above, sounds very similar to Peter's method of using tape with a t-hinge. Care to elaborate?

[LeeF]

ATG tape is double sided adhesive tape that is applied with an ATG gun. The gun allows you to place the tape exactly where you want it without touching it. I place a stip on the back of the top back of the picture about a third as long as the picture. This is then placed atop a piece of foamboard (backer) or matboard. It has worked well for me for a number of years. I then add the mat atop the image and foamboard using the same tape along the outside edges.

Hope this helps.

[SteveZ]

Thanks again, Lee, sounds like another good option, but one could do almost the same using Peter's suggestion with a t-hinge tape, correct? Where does one buy these ATG guns?

[LeeF]

The other method is more archival but mine is down and dirty. I won't get eternity out of this technique. I'll only get 10-15 years.

ATG guns and tape can be bought from www.dickblick.com. I got mine on EBAY at eBay Store - wholesale Picture frame moulding new: craft framers wholesale closeout, moulding and frames, cheap mouldings

They ship quickly. The product is good and you don't get screwed on shipping.

[SteveZ]

Yes, googled it myself and found a whole bunch of stuff on this stuff. Thanks!