Mount Solutions

Mounts and backing can be important elements in the framing process.  Visually, mountboards often look best when carefully underplayed compared to the work on display, but can also give more emphasis when required.  Mounts can also be vital to protect and preserve artwork.

Mounts come in a wide range of colours and thicknesses.  The super-thick 4.1 mm gives an architectural and modern feel with a deep, sharp wide bevel. Alternatively, mounts can be wash-lined to order, hand painted in watercolour with specific colours mixed for individual artworks.  Fabric mounts add texture, and often depth for box framing.

Conservation framing requires that a mount is acid-free, backs the artwork as well as faces it, and that any (acid-free) tapes used in the process are applied correctly.  The chances are high that many items framed over ten years ago, or that are bought ready framed will have acidic mounting materials, which will burn into any artwork leaving visible damage.  Any standard quality board will do this within approximately two years.

Mountboard with mollecular traps, to prevent the deterioration caused by airborne pollutants is also an option for protecting artwork more comprehensively

We are happy to give guidance if you need advice about the mounting of your picture

We stock several kinds of acceptable mountboard; depending on requirements:

1. White-core, neutral boards
2. Virgin alpha-cellulose boards
3. Museum boards
4. Rag boards

Level 1 is suitable for prints and posters with a visual appeal.  The board will not deteriorate as rapidly as standard board, but is not acceptable for a lasting, conserving standard.  Levels 2 and 3 are suitable for conservation framing, and will preserve artwork indefinitely (for more information visit www.artcare.info)  Level 4, rag board is the ideal conservation standard.

Combining border sizes, colour combinations and textures create variable, unique expressions of individual taste, and many mountboards can be combined to excellent effect. Experimenting with colour options shows how an image can be changed; we can 'spruce up' an old picture with a fresh clean mount or colour option to suit new decor, or we can go for a timeless, classic mount.

All of our mounts are individually cut by hand for a perfect finish