Whether you’re preparing photographs for a gallery installation, organizing matted prints for an art fair, or creating a scrapbook to commemorate a special event, you need the right tools for the job. Focus on archival, acid-free materials, and photo-specific adhesives, papers, and matboards for the longest-lasting, most impressive results.
Helpful Tools for Preparing Your Photos for Professional Display
Gallery showings, print sales, and other types of professional photographic displays require a certain level of finish and quality. A professionally printed photograph is a great start, but you’ll also need to mount or mat the photo correctly for the cleanest and most attractive display.
Professional Trimmers and Cutting Accessories
When preparing matted photographs or framed prints, you’ll need to cleanly cut a variety of materials. Paper trimmers and X-Acto knives provide a precise edge for photo paper, construction paper, cardstock, and scrapbooking paper. For cleanly cutting foam board, it’s best to use a straight cutter and channel rail system.
While you could cut matboard with a steel edge ruler and an X-Acto knife, you’ll get better results if you use a specialized mat cutter that’s capable of cutting a 90-degree edge or a 45-degree beveled edge.
Photo Mounting Adhesives
Some mounting methods require heat tools like mounting presses and tacking irons while others simply require a neat application of adhesive and time to set.
Mounting adhesives come in several different forms, from liquid spray adhesive and glue sticks to pressure-sensitive tape and dry-mounting tissue. Mounting tissue is easily cut to size for perfect, mess-free edge-to-edge adhesion. For smaller applications in scrapbooking and paper crafts, look for roll-on tape, glue sticks, and spray adhesive as the easiest option.
Matboard and Precut Mats
Matboard not only provides structure and rigidity for your photographs, but it also gives your images a finished look. Precut mats are a simple solution for standard-size photo prints like 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20.
Laminating Paper and Signs
Create ID badges, signs, long-lasting labels, and artist information cards with laminating systems. Wide-format laminators work best for larger projects and easily accommodate both thermal and cold-pressure laminate rolls. For smaller home projects, a small office laminator is a streamlined and easy-to-use tool.
Professional Quality Cutting, Mounting, and Laminating Products
Brands like Archival Methods, 3M, Keencut, Logan Graphics, and Dry Lam provide photographers, artists, and crafters with reliable equipment for cutting, mounting, and laminating. Rely on tools from these and other leading brands for professional, archival results every time.
