MASTERING MOUNTING
by Chris A. Paschke, CPF, GCF, CMG
Mounting Challenging Items Thermographic papers, synthetic materials, and more can be tricky.
C
hallenging items are the ones that need an alternative mounting solution because of possible heat in-
tolerance, emotional value, overall size, or weight. I recently taught a class called Mastering Mounting: Challenging Items as part of The National Conference. At the beginning
image that is heat-sensitive at some tempera-
of each class, students are asked if they have
tures. Thus, heat applied during mounting
questions for a challenging project waiting for
could activate the entire sheet, turning it black
them at home, and they always do. There were
at higher temperatures. To verify heat sensitiv-
numerous queries about thermographic pa-
ity, gently touch the side edge of a suspected
pers, vellum and parchment, synthetic mate-
thermographic item with the side of a warm
rials like Evolon and Yupo, heavy textiles/rugs,
tacking iron; if it is, the narrow edge will dark-
and high-gloss photos. The moral there being
en. These items be should be pressure-sensi-
that even when something like a thermo-
tive mounted or hinged.
graphic paper has been around for decades, it
Thermal printing can also refer to raised
can still present a challenge today. Let’s look at
or puffed lettering sometimes seen on in-
how we can overcome such challenges.
vitations and business cards. This is very heat-sensitive and only pressure-sensitive or
Thermographics
preservation mounting is suggested. Once the
Thermographic is a term for heat-generat-
text is melted and flattened by heat, it is gone.
ed items that comes from the Greek therme,
CONTENTS
meaning heat, and graphikos, relating to the
Thermal Transfer
art of printing. Thermal printing is a digital
Thermal printing and thermal-transfer print-
process that activates coated thermochromic
ing are not the same thing. Thermal-transfer
paper by heating when the paper passes over
printing is a digital printing method in which
a thermal print head. The coating turns black
a wax ink is melted and applied to the recep-
in the areas where it is heated, producing an
tor substrate so it stays glued to the material.
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Chris A. Paschke, owner of Designs Ink in Tehachapi, CA, is a professional picture framer with over four decades of experience. She is an artist, a National Conference educator, has authored numerous magazine series, including The Essence of Design, Design Concepts, and Digital Directions for PFM, and has four self-published books on mounting. She currently writes the Mastering Mounting column for PFM and is a contributing writer to The Artist’s Magazine, The Pastel Journal, and Watercolor Artist Magazine. She was honored with the PPFA Award of Distinction for Leadership 2008, the Vivian Kistler Recognition for Innovation Award 2010, and the PMA Distinguished Service Award 2012. 12 PFM July 2020
For digitals, there are two options: high tack pressure-sensitive board or film, and low 130F temperature HA board.
