The presentation of your photographs is taken into consideration by judges. Untidy and unsuitable mounting can lose you marks.
Do not use Sellotape, masking tape or any adhesive tape which could become loose and damage other members prints.
Size
Your photos can be printed any size for print competitions. For club competitions the mount board can be any size up to 500 mm x 400mm For external battles and competitions, the mounts must be 500mm x 400mm See Paperspectrum for information on colours and prices. You can get your prints professionally mounted at local art shops but be sure to order well in advance as it might take a week or so.
Colour
Any colour is permitted. An off white such as ‘antique white’ or ‘pale ivory’ is most used as it compliments most images. Black is sometimes used- particularly for monochromes. Use other colours with great care - make sure they do not detract from the image.
Methods of mounting
Surface mounting is permitted i.e., the photo is glued to the front surface of the mount board. This method will make the print vulnerable to scratching as prints are handled frequently for judging and stored face to face. If used make sure the print has no air bubbles or loose edges.
The safer and more usual method is to ‘window mount’ the print i.e., a suitable size bevelled opening is cut in the mount board and the print attached to the back.
You can get your print professionally mounted at most picture framers (St. John’s Art Gallery, Devizes) This saves you buying any special tools. Ask for an estimate of the cost first. You might get a discount. Do make sure you allow plenty of time for the print to be ready.
If you prefer to mount your own photos for competitions the following notes may help to get you started. Pre-cut mount board 500mm x 400mm, backing board & adhesive tapes can be obtained from Paperspectrum. Cost under £2-00 per print mount (mounts can also sometimes be re-used)
1 Lay your print on the mount board and decide the best placement. It is always looks better to have a wider border at the bottom than the top. (Do not make your print look cramped by making the border too narrow) If not using pre-cut board - measure and accurately cut your board to size using a ‘Stanley’ type blade and a cutting mat.
2 Measure your print less approx. 5mm all round. On the back of your mount board mark out very carefully where you are going to cut out your ‘window’ check and re check!
3 Using a mount cutter carefully cut out the ‘window’ (best to practice a bit first!)
Recommended basic cutter - Logan Team System 2000 model 424 available from 'Framers Corner' (this link also includes a video and other info) Price about £58 inc. pp (or shop around) Pack of 10 spare blades about £4 Other models are available - see Paper-spectrum
4 Position your print in the 'window' of your mount and fix using an adhesive tape. (If your print looks ‘cockled’ i.e. does not lie completely flat – either use heavier photo paper or use spray mount or sheet to stick your print onto some thick card or mount board first)
5 Cover the back of your print with some card cut larger than your print using self-adhesive paper tape (not masking tape) or cover the whole of the back of your mount with lightweight board using double sided tape. Please make sure your backing is secure and will not come off or stick to other prints
6 Add the title (not more than 35 letters including spaces) - your club number and Adv (Advanced) Int (Intermediate) or B (Beginners) on the back of your mount. Mark ‘TOP’ if the orientation of your print is not obvious. To help the competition judge fairly assess and compare images, the club has introduced an image classification of ‘Traditional’ or ‘Creative’. Also please add a T or C after your title. If you are not sure if your image is traditional or creative see section 1 of the General competition rules point 11.
7 Also send in projected images of your entry and title etc the same as a projected image entry using PhotoEntry.
FINALLY, DO NOT BE PUT OFF ENTERING YOUR PRINTS IN COMPETITIONS - JUST ASK FOR ADVICE IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTIES.
Print Requirements
1. PRINTS must be mounted.
2. The maximum mount size is 500mm x 400mm. (Although smaller mounted prints than the maximum are acceptable for internal Club competitions and Club exhibitions, they will not be eligible for consideration for external Battles or Exhibitions unless remounted at 500 mm x 400 mm.)
3. lf the correct orientation of a print is not obvious from the subject then the top edge on the back of the mount must be marked 'TOP'.
4. Prints must clearly show on the back the title, member’s number. No names are to be shown. Title - max. 35 letters including spaces.
5. Number the prints in order of preference. e.g.,
01 The Sunset 321 Beg
02 A Car 321 Int
03 Flowers 321 Adv
Sections are either: A (Advanced), Int (Intermediate) or B (Beginners).
Write T or C on each print – see T & C rules
Please send jpegs of your entries to the Competition Secretary for use on this website and for members who are watching the meeting on Zoom.
6. If you do not wish to print your own images, then you may choose to use DSColourlabs or SIMLab both of whom offer a very reasonable printing service (other print shops are available).
7. If you do not wish to cut your own mounts, Paper Spectrum offer pre-cut mounts, although you will need to make sure that your images are correctly sized to the pre-cut mount window.
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