The following will give basic information and options for mounting artwork on paper without using hinges. Unless the artwork is large the following information on Corner Pockets, Mounting Strips, and Sink Mounts are the preferred archival mounting methods.

Knowledge about the effects of matting materials and procedures on artwork has increased. Once common practices are now known to be harmful to artwork. An example is the use of masking tape which yellows artwork due to acid burn. Another example is the covering of all the edges of the artwork with tape, providing no breathing room which may buckle the artwork.

Artwork may be mounted in a variety of ways. If you simply want to protect artwork of personal value and future removal from the mount is not a concern, use only acid-free materials. If you wish to mat and frame artwork for museum-quality, the mounting job must be reversible.* All of the following methods are reversible.

Museum mounting board or acid-free 4-ply matboard may be used as mounting board (2-ply is too thin and is likely to warp). Remember, what touches artwork should be acid-free if preservation is a concern.** For photographs, use photographic mounting board.

Hinge the cut mat to the mounting board with acid-free linen tape. Both the mat and the mount board should be of equal size. Lay the cut mat face down and the mounting board face up with their top edges butted together. Make sure the tape is about one inch shorter than the mat's edge, as shown. Lay the tape along the seam created by the top edges of the two boards touching. Close the mat. Check the corners for alignment.

Mounting the artwork. Artwork is attached to the mounting board and not to the back of the cut mat. Lay artwork on the mounting board. Close the hinged mat. Position the artwork exactly where you want it within the mat window area. Lay a soft, non-damaging weight on the artwork so the artwork will stay in place. Open the hinged mat. Mark on the mount board the position of the four corners of the artwork.

You must decide which of the following ways is appropriate for the artwork you are matting.

Corner Pockets are made by bending a strip of acid-free paper to form a triangular pocket. (See illustration) Tape the pocket to the mounting board with acid-free linen tape. Slip the corners of the artwork into the four pockets. Corner pockets are available ready-made of mylar in a variety of sizes.

Mounting Strips are made of 100% rag or mylar and hold the artwork in place from the sides, top and bottom instead of the corners. Half of the strip is backed with an adhesive to attach to the mounting board. The artwork is slipped under the non-adhesive half of the strip.

Corner pockets and mounting strips require no attachment to the artwork, as no adhesive comes in contact with the artwork. If only acid-free materials are used, these methods will not harm your artwork. When using these methods remember to allow 1/16" to 1/8" breathing room for contraction and expansion of your artwork. These methods are an effective alternative to T-hinges if the artwork is small enough and stiff enough not to slip out of them. Also, the artwork must be overmatted to hide the corners and strips.

Sink Mounts are used for artwork on thick supports, i.e., illustration board. The sink mount is a board of equal thickness to the artwork. Cut the center out of the sink mount board the same size as the artwork. For a backing, attach matboard behind the sink mount with double-sided tape or ATG tape. Place the artwork in the sink mount opening. The artwork in the sink mount is sandwiched between the backing and the window mat. (See illustration.)
Ask your local art store to show you their mounting materials and supplies. For more mounting information and methods see Introduction to Matting.
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*Reversible means the artwork may be removed from the mount without pulling paper fibers from the artwork or leaving glue traces on the artwork.

**See Matboard Conservation, Adhesives and Tapes.