We have learned while specializing in the field of conservation of cultural property (more specifically art, in the present discussion), about the specific type of material that should be used while mounting a painting on paper. The technique also matters a lot. One common technique of mounting involves creating ‘hinges’ on the mount board at the back.

We come across paintings that have been mounted by this approved technique, but wrong type of material and missing some fundamental considerations like removing the old hinges before sticking new ones.

Considerations for making hinges

• Old hinges or their remains should be removed
• Adhesives used must be easy to remove at a future date, and must neither stain nor darken with age.
• Pressure sensitive tapes, such as SellotapeTM and masking tape have no place in conservation framing. They cause permanent damage to the picture by staining and become difficult or even impossible to remove.
• Paper used should not be thicker that the original work of art.

Mounting without adhesives and hinges

Mounting without adhesives can be done with corner supports or edge strips.

Small as well as bigger corners of chemically stable plastic (polyester film) or archival paper are commercially available for mounting.