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Framing Options

I am pleased to offer the framing option of plaque mounting. In this innovative and beautiful framing method, the print is professionally mounted using acid-free tissue onto a sturdy 3/8” high density, environmentally friendly wood substrate and a protective satin vinyl laminate is heat-pressed to the print, making it UV, water, and fingerprint resistant. The wood edges are then beveled and trimmed with a black edge (additional edge colors are available upon request).

Plaque mounting has numerous advantages over traditional custom framing. It is substantially less expensive. The print lies perfectly flat. The print will not fade for at least a hundred years - I guarantee it. The image is completely protected from the elements and is so durable and scratch-resistant that it can be cleaned with Windex and a paper towel. Best of all, the invisible laminate allows the viewer to see the print without being distracted from glare and reflections. No framing style I've ever seen does a better job of focusing attention on the photographic print and allowing the colors and tones to truly glow. I like this method so much that every print I frame is done in this style unless requested otherwise by the customer. If you are interested in purchasing a print from me and wish to have it framed, I highly recommend this method!

There are two plaque mounting styles to choose from. The simplest style is called box mounting. In this method, the print has a thin black edge slightly more than an inch thick and is mounted flush to the wall. This style focuses the viewer's attention on the print itself and is ideal for larger prints and allowing the viewer to "walk right into the scene."

The second style is called double plaque mounting. In this method, the print is mounted on top of a larger black plaque, thereby creating the appearance of a 3-inch black mat. Small wood blocks are placed between the plaques, and underneath the bottom plaque, giving the piece a three-dimensional appearance. Double plaque mounting is a beautiful style for framing small-to-medium size prints, but is less ideal for larger prints because of its relatively heavy weight.

Examples of prints mounted in both styles appear below.

#516: Both framing styles are shown here. Photo © by Brett Deacon.

#537: Both framing styles are also shown here. Photo © by Brett Deacon.

#519: "Nautilus Formation Sunrise" framed in the box mounting style. With traditional framing materials such as acrylic or glass (even expensive museum-quality or anti-reflective glass), you would see your reflection on the print's surface from this angle. Plaque mounting eliminates reflections and allows the colors and tones of the print to shine through without any distractions. This characteristic is especially useful for prints hung near windows or with direct lighting. Photo © by Brett Deacon.

#520: Note the absence of glare or reflections even when viewed at an extreme angle next to a window. Photo © by Brett Deacon.

#521: A 22x62 print of "Vedauwoo Sunrise Panorama" framed in the box mounting style. This print makes a beautiful addition to my living room! Photo © by Brett Deacon.

#523: Close-up view of the above print. Note how the separation between the plaques creates a three-dimensional look. Photo © by Brett Deacon.

#525: "Approaching Thunderstorm" framed in the double plaque mounting style. Plaque mounting does an outstanding job of complementing black and white prints. Photo © by Brett Deacon.