Attaching artwork
The importance of using appropriate methods of attaching artwork to the backing board cannot be stressed too highly.
Hinging
Original pieces of art such as drawing, watercolours, acrylics and photographs are normally secured to the backing board with hinges made from conservation-quality hinging tape. This will ensure that the artwork hangs properly and will not be damaged by any chemicals in the adhesive used. These hinges are normally removable so that the artwork can easily be returned to its original state.
If you buy any piece of art or photograph that has been mounted then it’s worth checking that appropriate methods have been used. Some artists and photographers have a habit of using masking tape or sellotape to attach their pictures. These pose two problems: they will dry out in time and no longer hold the artwork in place and, more seriously, they will cause acid stains which will frequently burn through to the front of the artwork, leaving permanent marks.
If you’re in doubt about any pictures you own then show them to any framer, who will take a look at them, normally without charge, and advise you whether anything needs to be done.
Heat-press mounting
In some cases where, for example, a piece of artwork needs flattening, a framer may consider bonding it to a backing board with a dry-mount adhesive in a press. This is normally an irreversable process and not considered for anything where permanent mounting might decrease its future value. There is, however, a relatively recent product now available that provides a fully reversable mount. It’s called Artcare Restore and can provide a very successful solution when framing, for example, cockled watercolours.
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