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DIY Glassless Framing

When buying Ilford Metallic prints, using standard frames with glass can dull the vibrant effect of the Iridium metal finish, resulting in a lackluster presentation. Opting for glassless framing is ideal to fully showcase the impact of the Ilford metallic print.

For larger prints exceeding A1 size (60x84cm), like 84x120cm or larger, where finding suitable frames becomes challenging, consider employing local professional fine art or photography framing services. Although this option comes at a significant cost, typically ranging from $200 to $800 depending on factors such as frame size and style, it ensures proper mounting and framing tailored to your print.

If you have purchased a Ilford Metallic print up to A1 (60x84cm) size, the DIY option for glassless framing can be a great cost effective alternative. 

DISCLAIMER: displaying Ilford Metallic prints in glassless frames may reduce the 40 year archival lifespan rating, and will increase the chance of accidental damage. As a rule, only display glassless framed prints in low traffic areas, high out of reach of children, somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
Take care when cleaning off dust; only clean when absolutely necessary (i.e. at most once  a year) only use a light touch, with a clean/new microfiber cloth. do not use any liquids to clean, such as water or solvents, and do not touch with fingers, as this can scratch and remove the iridium finish and damage the artwork, along with depositing acids from your skin that will also cause damage over time.*

Why use a mount board?

When choosing the glassless framing option, the use of a mount board is almost always necessary. Without the support of glass, the print/artwork can easily fall out of the frame, sit uneven and not flat in the frame. Mounting prints on a mount board gives the print more support and rigidity, fixing them flat in the frame, and removes the chances of the print falling out of the frame. 

Mount boards are made of acid free foam materials usually with an adhesive side covered by a non-stick film. Fixing an artwork or print to a mount board is a permanent action, but mounting a print on acid-free mount board will not effect framing in a negative way, as mount boards are thin and will fit in any frame, and when done correctly, will not void warranty for unrelated warranty claims.

What you need:

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  • Mount board at the same size as your print

  • 3x microfiber lint-free cloths. Brand new is best

  • Your print/artwork

  • A friend to help with an extra set of hands

You can find mount boards at office supply stores and art stores, pre-cut to A2 (42x60cm) and A1 (60x84cm) sizes. If in Australia, the most common store would be OfficeWorks. 

If you feel nervous about fixing the artwork to the adhesive back side of the mount board, you can buy an extra mount board and a blank sheet of cardboard the same size as your print, with a thickness of 200-260gsm to use as a test run before attempting the process using the print/artwork. Alternatively you can always pay a professional framing service.
 

The mounting process

  1. Find a clean workspace to complete the mounting on, such as a table. make sure the surface of the workspace is dry. Clean and dry your hands to minimise dirt, grease and acids from being transferred when your fingers make contact with the print.
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  2. Place the print on top of the mount board, with the adhesive side facing up towards the back of the print. Aline both the mount board and print so that the print doesn't overlap any side of the mount board. A microfiber cloth is not needed for this, if you only make contact on the edges of the print.

    If the mount board is a little bigger than the print, move the print off it, use a box cutter and ruler or a pair of scissors to cut it to shape, then restart from step 1.

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  3.  Ask your friend to carefully place a microfiber cloth on two areas near the middle of the print/mount board, without moving the print around. Then ask them to place their hands on the cloths, and to apply gentle pressure to hold the print and mount board in place.

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  6. Carefully remove your hands so that the print falls flat on the exposed adhesive layer. Gently use a microfiber cloth to rub along the length of the print where the adhesive is in contact with it, with your friend still holding pressure on the rest of the print to keep it alined.

    Only rub the print once or twice, with gentle pressure to avoid any damage.

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  5. Slowly peel back the non-stick layer all along the side of the print/mount board until roughly 5cm of adhesive is exposed, still using the back of your hand to keep the print from contacting the adhesive layer, until the whole length of the adhesive is exposed.

    Press down the non-stick film, so that when the print is lowered, it will stick to the 5cm wide length of adhesive. 

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  7. Now with the whole 5cm length of the print fixed to the mount board, your friend can remove their hands and cloths.

    Carefully lift the print from the opposite side, only pinching the very edge of the print, and begin to pull down another even 5cm of non-stick film from the adhesive.

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  8. Repeat step 6 but this time using both hands and microfiber cloths, rubbing from the centre outwards in both directions. This helps prevent any bubbles or creases from forming under the print.

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  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 until the remaining adhesive lay has been fixed to the back of the print.
    You can give the whole surface one last wipe with the microfiber cloth, from the centre moving outwards to make sure all areas of the print are fixed and to remove any remaining bubbles. Only use light pressure.

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  4. Now carefully peel back the non-stick film that covers the adhesive side of the mount board. Hold up the print with the back of your hand, don't let the adhesive film make contact with the print.

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Now your print is ready for framing.
As a final step, purchase a suitable frame that has a removable glass/acrylic sheet. Remove the back of the frame, remove the glass/acrylic sheet and replace it with the mounted print. Insert the back cover and make sure the screws/clips holding the print in place are secure.

Your Fine Art Print or Artwork is now ready to be displayed.

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