Mounting Moab Moenkopi Unryu

[mcbroomf]

I decided to try some matt papers recently (I usually print on lustre surfaces) and bought some Epson Legacy Fibre and Moab Moenkopi Unryu after re-reading Mark Segal's reviews (thanks Mark!).

With only a few small test prints so far I am loving the Moab paper and I wonder is anyone else has been using it, and if so how you are mounting it?  I can (and will) do some testing with the test prints, I usually dry mount on white Gator.  I imagine it will work but wonder if there are alternatives.  I have thought about edge mounting on a open frame to allow back light but have few options for that display.

This is not a photo of the print but this image does render beautifully on the Moab paper

[dgberg]

Here is one option. Japanese Kozo Thin mounted to the front side of a frame with 2 sided tape.
Works nicer with a wider frame that will stand on it's own. In front of a window or backlit makes quite the conversation piece.

[mcbroomf]

Hi Dan,
Thanks.  I had wondered about that method, assuming the paper expands when whetted.   

[dgberg]

Tight as a drum.

[mcbroomf]

I know the Kozo does, but you've done the same with the Moab?

Thx

[deanwork]

This is the way I mount the Awagami Kozo. You spray the print front and back with distilled water and glue the back of the print onto the flat front of a wooden flat face frame. I used both PVA book binders glue and tried the acrylic medium both of which worked well, though I trust the pva glue personally for permanent display. I found it really easy to do if you follow these directions exactly.

I used it with the now discontinued Epson Kozo thin and then started using the Awagami with the same exact success. I did a whole show of works going up to 20x30 and all look perfect after one year. They are beautiful and super light weight with no wrinkles after it dries .

To try on the Unryu, which contains a cotton/ Kozo blend I believe, take a sample print and spray it with water to see if the pigment runs, if it doesn’t your all set. This is the cheapest framing I’ve done and one of the most elegant. I’m so sad this super sharp photo quality Epson version is not still available. I can’t believe no company picked it up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8fctOHjfWoI


John

I know the Kozo does, but you've done the same with the Moab?

Thx

[mcbroomf]

Thanks, I'm familiar with the Kozo.  Unfortunately the Moab does run, or at least it smudges if wiped when wet, which the Kozo doesn't

[mcbroomf]

I'm thinking about gluing it (the back, not face mount, I still have some Miracle Muck) onto a thin acrylic sheet, then framing that in a simple thin white frame.  18x24x0.1" sheets are $11-13 in local hardware stores.

[John Caldwell]

Here is one option. Japanese Kozo Thin mounted to the front side of a frame with 2 sided tape.
Works nicer with a wider frame that will stand on it's own. In front of a window or backlit makes quite the conversation piece.

Excellent, Dan. What do you apply to the printed surface, if anything, for protection? I'm always looking for a substitute for the plastic laminates most of my (PK) larger prints get.

John Caldwell

[dgberg]

You can mist a light coat of Print Shield or Krylon Crystal clear for half the cost.
Most of the Kozo I do not coat. It just looks so good in the raw.

Short list of over laminates and spray finishes we use.
Spray Glamor II on canvas.
Seal Print Guard UV luster hot laminate on canvas and some photo papers. My favorite with a fantastic look and it is indestructible.
Seal Print Shield UV matte and luster on photo papers.
Print Shield solvent on fine art and photo papers.
Everything that comes out of our print studio gets framed or mounted without glass.