How to Dry Mount Posters

Dry mounting is a method of setting a poster (or picture) on a hard backing through the use of a heat-sensitive adhesive material. The material is placed between the poster and the backing and is liquefied by a dry mount machine, which subjects the material to a very high temperature. Dry mounting protects posters from water damage, and it is much easier than most methods of wet mounting. However, dry mounting is not easily reversible, so it should not be used for antique or valuable posters.

Things You'll Need

• Mat board
• Poster
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Mat cutter
• Release paper
• Dry mount machine
• Tacking iron
• Mounting tissue

Instructions

Preparing the Equipment

1. Measure and cut the mat board and the poster to the size that you would like. Check the press's instruction manual for the heating time appropriate to the size of your poster.

2. Plug in the dry mount machine and set it for 175 degrees.

3. Close the machine arm (but do not lock it) and switch on the machine. Let it heat for about 20 minutes while you are preparing the mounting tissue.

4. Set the dial on the tacking iron to "medium" and plug it in. The iron will automatically turn on, so make sure the iron's head is not touching anything that might melt.

5. Cut the mounting tissue so that it is very slightly smaller than the poster to be mounted.

6. Cut a swatch of release paper to twice the size of the press. Then cut a 5-by-5 inch square out of the remaining release paper.

Mounting the Poster

1. Set the mounting tissue on the mat board and the poster on the mounting tissue until you are satisfied with how it looks. Place the small piece of release paper onto the corner of the poster.

2. Place the tacking iron on the release paper and move it in small, slow circles. The paper should tack the poster to the mat board in that corner.

3. Make sure that the press has finished heating. If so, fold the larger sheet of release paper in half and place your tacked poster in between the two layers.

4. Place your poster (covered by the release paper) in the press. Pull the arm down and lock it.

5. Heat the poster for the amount of time listed in the instruction manual (usually less then a few minutes).

6. Allow the poster to cool completely before handling it.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the instruction manual for both the dry mount press and the mounting paper. There are some differences between brands that should be taken into account.

• Do not set the iron head-down on the table, or you may melt the table. Set it in its holder, if one is available.