mounting 16x20 prints on mat board

[Eric Brody]

I've recently begun to make 16x20 prints on 17x25 paper on my Epson 3800 and they are quite lovely. I have traditionally mounted my 11x14 prints on 16x20 4 ply mat board, cut from 32x40 sheets (4/sheet) with an 16x20 overmat. When I used traditional silver gelatin paper, I dry mounted them. I now use corners since the inkjet paper lies nice and flat. John Sexton and others have recommended that 16x20 prints should be mounted on 22x28 boards.

Is there a way to avoid using an entire sheet of 32x40 board, twice! to mount a 16x20 print? Are there sources of less expensive 22x28 boards? Or shall I just suck it up and use two full boards?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Eric

[vinny]

nope. unless they've invented a mat board stretcher. Luckily I also make 11x14 prints so there's almost no waste.

[bsimison]

Archival Methods (http://www.archivalmethods.com/Product.cfm?categoryid=7&Productid=195) sells 22x28 sheets in sets of 15 for $158.50, or $10.57/sheet, and they come in a nice, sturdy shipping box.

[Merg Ross]

22x28 is pretty much the minimal size for 16x20, but also easily purchased pre-cut. I use 4-ply 22x28 with my drymounted 16x20 fiber prints, similar to your previous method. Could you perhaps use an archival acid free foam board for the backing board? I don't know what the price advantage would be, just a thought. There is something called Prime Foam-X board that apparently has good archival properties.

[Richard M. Coda]

I know it's a custom size, but I use 24x28" mats/mounts for 16x20 prints. They look a whole lot better. That 2" makes a big difference.

[Merg Ross]

I know it's a custom size, but I use 24x28" mats/mounts for 16x20 prints. They look a whole lot better. That 2" makes a big difference.

Good point, I agree. Ansel popularized the 22x28 mat, however it is a bit skimpy. I also, along with the 22x28 mats, use custom sizes of 24x29 for verticals and 25x28 for horizontals.

[Jim Becia]

I know it's a custom size, but I use 24x28" mats/mounts for 16x20 prints. They look a whole lot better. That 2" makes a big difference.

I also have been cutting my mats to 24x28 for 16x20 prints for years. I like the balance of the mat better. Jim

[jp]

I've recently begun to make 16x20 prints on 17x25 paper on my Epson 3800 and they are quite lovely. I have traditionally mounted my 11x14 prints on 16x20 4 ply mat board, cut from 32x40 sheets (4/sheet) with an 16x20 overmat. When I used traditional silver gelatin paper, I dry mounted them. I now use corners since the inkjet paper lies nice and flat. John Sexton and others have recommended that 16x20 prints should be mounted on 22x28 boards.
Eric

Filmoplast P-90 Self Adhesive Paper Hinging Tape is what I like to mount inkjet prints.

I've seen corners come out of place. I've also tried adhesive sprays with some success, but I don't like the mess potential.

[Stephen Willard]

I get my matboard from www.bdmatboard.com. They offer a line of matboards that are Acid-Free, 4-ply, lignin-free, and pH Neutral Buffered Pulp Core. Their price for a 30x40 sheet is $4.49, however, you have to buy it by the case which contains 25 sheets. You can also get it in 40x60 sheets as well. The matboard cuts real nice compared to cotton fiber matboard.

I have been using this board for about four years now and have not noticed any core yellowing or staining. It is very inexpensive and it works as it should. I double mat my frames at a cost of around $9.00.

Hope this helps...

[Vaughn]

I also have been cutting my mats to 24x28 for 16x20 prints for years. I like the balance of the mat better. Jim

Same here. 16x20 verticals look okay on 22x28, but IMO, not hortizontals -- so I went with 24x28 for both.

So, out of a 32x40 board I get one 24x28, two 16x20 (this includes the 16x20 hole I cut out of the 24x28), and one 12x16 (for mounting 5x7's). I use the 16x20 for 8x10.

So I get pretty good use out of a 32x40 board.

Vaughn

[Roger Thoms]

I know it's a custom size, but I use 24x28" mats/mounts for 16x20 prints. They look a whole lot better. That 2" makes a big difference.

Alternatively you could print your image a little smaller on the 16x20 paper to get the wider borders.

Roger

[Richard M. Coda]

Alternatively you could print your image a little smaller on the 16x20 paper to get the wider borders.

Roger

I'd rather print it as large as I can... I dry mount anyway. Sometimes I print 8x10s on 11x14 paper with a full white border as I mat them 14x17. With the larger paper I'd rather get my mileage out of the sheet.

[Eric Brody]

Thanks to all, especially to Vaughan. I do not know why I could not figure this out for myself, but ... oh well. With his idea, the cost to mat a 16x20 print is almost tolerable.

Eric

[Jim Becia]

Same here. 16x20 verticals look okay on 22x28, but IMO, not hortizontals -- so I went with 24x28 for both.

So, out of a 32x40 board I get one 24x28, two 16x20 (this includes the 16x20 hole I cut out of the 24x28), and one 12x16 (for mounting 5x7's). I use the 16x20 for 8x10.

So I get pretty good use out of a 32x40 board.

Vaughn

Vaughn,

I take it one step further. With 3 full size sheets, I can get a double mat for a 24x30 photo, a 19x24 photo, a 16x20 photo and an 11x14 photo. So for about $18, I can get 4 double mats at a cost of about $4.50 each. Of course, this is only relevant if one is printing the different sizes. But this works well for me. Jim