Mounting Prints onto Gatorfoam Board

In this tutorial I show you how to mount fine art prints onto Gatorfoam board for a clean, modern, and frameless look. This is not an archival process, but rather for exhibition and marketing purposes where cost and DIY are the priority. Please leave your comments or questions below.
Here is the materials list:
Self-adhesive Gator Board: www.foamboardsource.com/gatorf...
Print weights: www.framedestination.com/print...
Glue gun: www.amazon.com/Stanley-GR20K-T...
Utility knife: www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWHT1003...
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More about me here: robertrodriguezjr.com/

[@susieherman8447]

A pearl of a tutorial. Exactly what I was searching for.

[@frodrig]

Love your tutorials. Is a pleasure see you working. Your expertise and craft makes it seems simply but it requieres a lot of care and experience. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@DeborahHughes]

Thanks so much for this video. I've been looking for a clean, easy presentation for my photography for years and this meets my needs!

[@NMranchhand]

This is one of the most useful videos I have seen in a long time. Thanks very much for sharing it.

[@jimmyuptain2740]

Ordered me some Gatorboard and paperweights. Gonna give it a shot this weekend. Thanks so much for taking the time in making the video.

[@toridominguez4167]

I have had expensive family photos packed away for years just because I couldn’t find a frame I liked. This video is genius to thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@JohnJBurnettJr]

Hello, Robert. This tutorial is well-done and very helpful to me. Thanks for sharing with us, and providing links to the products you presented. I appreciate you.

[@Creativeassemblages]

Thanks so much. Was looking all over for a way to do prints on a hanging system and now I have found it. So simple and clear presentation.

[@nasgalii]

thanks again. I have been looking for a way to exhibit my prints without mat boards, frame and glass. You made it look so easy,

[@HermSchreurs]

Thank you Robert for your clear videos. Love the techniques you show here! Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@laurapotter3213]

This is a great tutorial for mounting images. Thanks!

[@bigwesvideos]

Thank you for an excellent video. I am just starting out, but I feel like I can do this now. Great job.

[@marvinportillo3382]

My friend, this is the best tutorial i've come across! Thank you!

[@kevinbrooks6078]

Great information and demonstration, thank you Sir. I am doing something similar with the backdrop for my model railroad set using gator board.

[@WeeStevieB]

I've been wanting to mount my prints different from the norm and this looks simple yet very effective! Good job! :D

[@nealjohnson8126]

Thank you for this tutorial. Saved my sanity.

[@MikeAttanasiofoto]

Loved this tutorial..... have you done a tutorial on your archival process? Or is it part of the mounting and framing video?

[@Jakilyn]

How have I never heard of Gator Board before? Especially self-adhesive? This is an awesome tutorial, thanks!

[@priMARYlove1]

Great tutorial. You made it really easy to follow along.

[@gaelicmemories]

Superb calm explanation that’s easy to follow, great work thank you.

[@SuzannePenley]

Thank you very much for this tutorial, it is well-done and extremely helpful!

[@ChesneyAdventures]

Thank you! I purchased some "storyboards" but now I want to make my own. I found your video and will give this a try to display my photography in my home.

[@georgemacdonald5282]

Another beautifully describe video, making it look so easy giving us more confidence to try it for ourselves, what i love about these videos is the fact that the boy is straight to the point making it a pleasure to watch and listen. Thankyou.

[@susanfield2444]

Fantastic information and so clearly and expertly presented. Thank you.

[@clarification007]

Great simple clean job to do! Thanks! Well done that demonstration!

[@photogher]

Very informative, wonderful presentation! Thank you for making your video.

[@Weesperbuurt]

I like your logical and organised way of working. Thank you. I would have painted the two slats black before glueing them on.

[@1947Ahab]

Nice presentation. I have used self adhesive black Gatorfoam in the 12" x 18" size for my photos and art reproductions. I print my own work and love using the rough textured heavy matte papers for this process. For hanging, I have used the wood strips as you show but have recently used the Foamfast hangers that are simply pushed into the back. So far these have proved to work well.

[@montanasojourn]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you for sharing.

[@YaiYa4]

OM! Gosh... What a wonderful and clever idea. I"m so happy to have stumbled upon this video. Thank You very much for taking the time to share and create this wonderful video.

[@sandradavies2236]

Thank you so much for your tutorial. I'm using Yupo paper to mount before ink design is placed onto this board, I thought that I would have to find a glue to mount (Yupo paper) but the product that you mentioned will reduce the time spent. I also like your suggestion on the wood strips to help with the display. Thank you for all your suggestions.

[@grangermacy]

Brilliant! So much easier than all of my past failures 🤪

[@garyaltoonian783]

Thank you for sharing your techniques.

[@Poik242]

All your videos that I have watched are very well done. Everything is explained very thoroughly, but the process is concise, so it's perfect. Thanks for sharing these videos!

[@RobertRodriguezJr]

+Poik242 you're very welcome - thanks!!

[@StephenArrowood]

Thank You, just what I was looking for.

[@havocproltd]

Hey, Thanks! Look! 8 years later and it's still helping! I was looking for a way to present some 17x22 stuff I'm printing border-less.

[@richmegenis4863]

Great tutorial much appreciated. Thank you.

[@maryellenmcdonough8687]

Incredibly helpful!!! Thank you!

[@danclark9987]

Robert, great tutorial! Many thanks.

[@mariei.5895]

This video was very clear and very helpful to display a poster I just purchased. Exactly what the doctor ordered. Thanks you for the very clear explanations 👍

[@flukoluko1]

Please tell me where you purchased the boards

[@kameraelektronik]

I am watching this in 2022, thanks for leaving this video up on youtube, it was exactly what I was looking for. I don't care to have my photos behind glass or plastic so this is the perfect solution.

[@jackflash5659]

Great tutorial Robert.

[@ronaldturski6149]

Thank you for introducing me to Gator Board and simple presentation :-)

[@RobertRodriguezJr]

+Ronald Turski You're very welcome!

[@brendadoyle643]

Thank you so much for this video! Very clear and well presented. thank you so much.

[@opticalpower8515]

MY friend l ! GREAT JOB Robert ! You need nobody to inspire you ! ... YOU ALREADY GREAT ! YOUR KZbin CHANNEL IS GREAT !!! JUST KEEP GOING !!!! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF MORE !!! and thanks for your video

[@Diddle1414]

Who disliked this? It's a perfect explanation.

[@michelj.pelissier4650]

Dear and Distinguished Instructor Rodriguez ! We’ll explain perfect 👌🏽 instruction , diction equals to none as all so the impressionable displays of your tools! Thanks 🙏Also special Thanks to You Tube .

[@minedgroundhog]

that looks great and not too hard! thanks for showing!

[@teenamariefancey7654]

Excellent! Thanks so much for this!

[@robertdavis3433]

Loved your presentation. Good video from Sacramento

[@brucecggallagher1949]

Hello Robert, I just became a subscriber because of your simple but effective presentation. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Warm regards from British Columbia.

[@noorkhawaja]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@AlanColePhotography]

Thanks, Robert. Just used a variation of your technique with 100% success on four 24x36 and three 20x30 theatre lobby posters. I couldn't find 24x36 self-adhesive and needed thinner 20x30 substrate to accommodate some cheap frames, so went my usual spray glue route. The difference this time was amazing after watching your video. I had never used weights and had tried to "drop" 20x30's in the middle of larger foam core using dowels as standoffs. That required trimming and I got the occasional bubble. Weights, full protective backing and rolling were the missing links. I put wax paper over the entire sprayed surface (parallel to the short edge) and proceeded with your steps. Weights were quart stain cans with blue tape. I still had to trim, but only because the board was a little larger than the frame would take. Otherwise, the prints went exactly where I put them. Moral of the story is that I'll order dry mounted prints next time, but your technique saved the day.

[@RobertRodriguezJr]

+Alan Cole Glad it worked out for you. The key to reducing or eliminating bubbles is using heavy weight paper - 250gsm or more. Also, here are the 24x36 self-adhesive: www.foamboardsource.com/self-adhesive-gatorfoam-psgf064.html

[@HillwoodLam]

hello from Canada. just subscribed. thanks for teaching so much. I'm wondering what printer you're using, and how do you set it up? I'm thinking of buying an entry level Epson to start with

[@stevef4010]

Nice simple presentation. Thank you Robert. I tried the spray method with foamcore. Initially good, but got buckling on some of them.

[@RobertRodriguezJr]

+Steve F Spraying your own adhesive is more difficult because you have to make sure you cover every single part if the board,. That's why I like the self-adhesive gatorboard - it's totally glued to the paper without any gaps.

[@tinamariemalinowski2745]

I love it.... my question is I love taking pictures. I have a photo lab do them like Wal-Mart o the print need to be a mat finish?

[@gabrielembeha]

Excellent. Very well done.

[@dausmahnke5855]

Great tutorial. What thickness of gator board do you recommend?

[@D1G1TALSYNAPS3]

Excellent video. Thank you so much.

[@jenluvz2dance]

wonderful tutorial!

[@captainklr6508]

Your a great instructor! 🎉

[@josephbarberphotography]

Cool! easy to follow tuturial

[@TheMick26]

Hi Robert, I have watched several of your videos and really appreciate you sharing your expertise. While some of your equipment (the awesome mat cutter specifically) may be more than what the average framer has at his disposal, the explanations in your well put together tutorials don't scare me away. I appreciate the education and just wanted to commend you on a job well done. Best regards and Merry Christmas to you sir! Mick

[@RobertRodriguezJr]

+TheMick26 Thank you!!

[@andygaleati8587]

Always helpful and fun to watch

[@danielspeight9589]

Love this guy!

[@jerryhammond373]

Thanks! Can't wait to try it myself. Where is a good place to get self adhesive gatorfoam?

[@warthurn]

Robert, thank you so much for great instruction! i really appreciate your work. have you tried Rynoboard as well as Gatorboard? if so, is Gatorboard preferable? i noticed Rynoboard seems high quality, but a bit more square footage for the price. please comment if you can.thank you so much!

[@FrankRuggles]

Thanks so much! This was very helpful!

[@dannistor7294]

...excellent job, Sir...

[@bananapie2198]

Amazing tutorial...

[@vachikelchibegian6370]

Thanks for the tutorial. I am working on framing a 96X42 canvas print. Would the self adhesive Gatorboard work as a support? do you know if such size exist? Thanks for your help.

[@judithjscott]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@mstandal09]

Do you have a video where you do the same thing only making the print archivable? I found that the fine art heavy weight paper began to bubble after a few days using the self adhesive board, meaning that the adhesive is not aggressive enough for this heavy weight paper. This type of mounting works perfectly on regular weight photo paper, but not the heavier fine art paper, lost 5 or 6 large giclee prints and the boards mounting like this. Although, I was using a heavier foamcore and not gatorboard not sure if that would make a difference?? But I will now think twice before using this method on heavy fine art paper...unless your running it through a weighted rolling system...like cold lamination rollers.

[@sissywekesa4084]

So artistic.

[@muminki7783]

Hi Robert, thanks for sharing your knowledge, appreciated. Always great video and ideas. My question to anyone experienced is whether you know company which prints high quality canvases? Thanks and Regards

[@dougspindler4947]

Well done. Thank you

[@kaywaddell9892]

here in Houston a printing company I use has gator board on hand. they charge me $4 s.f. to mount my prints and I love them! I may try doing myself now though after finding this video 😂😂😂 I've sold 2 since I got them last week and rmthe clients love them!

[@golpiramirzazadeh8792]

thanks for the video. do you know what adhesive to use to stick a photo paper to the aluminum panel?

[@rebwar08]

Thank you so much for this video

[@MrJFMH]

Thank you very much for all your tutorial Robert. JF

[@attheranch873]

Very helpful, thanks😀

[@drpallav1]

Great video. What thickness of gator board do you recommend for large prints (20 X 30 inches and up)?

[@roncf1]

Hi Robert, I draw with pencils, the paper has a tendency to warp from the pressure of the pencil while drawing. Would you recomend using Gatorboard with adhesive to mount the drawings on to rid the drawings of the bubbled areas of the drawing. Making it one smooth surface. Any advice would be greatly apprciated. Thank You.

[@jerometerry26]

Thanks Robert.

[@lindafriedmanschmidt4863]

Thank you for this excellent, professional presentation. I am interested in archival mounting with Gatorboard. Is there archival Gatorboard? Is the Gatorboard adhesive archival? How would you mount something that has to be wrapped around the back? Can you staple into Gatorboard? Is there archival glue for glue guns?

[@robertalexander2478]

Great stuff! Which papers would you use for archival purposes?

[@Fuzzywuzzywasawoman]

Wow gatorfoam where you been all life!!

[@eyehustlebrand5368]

very cool! thanks!

[@LisaMacInnes]

i have been watching artist all day on you tube. I think it amazing what I have seen today . Thank you for sharing your amazing art. I love how professional you are . I like that people are not all about perception and just how real everyone is. No big budget fake crap like Hollywood or TV just raw and real. Thank you again I really truly enjoyed it and learned something new.

[@dirk8980]

Great video. Thanks for producing it. Do you never wear gloves? I'm always afraid for fingermarks. Especially on glossy paper.

[@reginaldanderson7218]

Hey! I love your material ;)

[@BrendoNoFriendo]

Thank you for this

[@ameliabrown252]

Thank you very much!

[@roblpm2]

Very good thanks

[@regryan8044]

Hi Robert , You have inspired me once again. After 30 years in the industry I am going to start framing and printing again. What is the best way to frame a print without glass that's archival . Cheers Reg

[@MochaQueen5]

Nice work!

[@Draculez13]

Hi Does the photographic paper affect the process of mounting it? Such as smudging or quality alterations.

[@AndreaStevens2012]

Nice vid, thanks for sharing! QQ please: Can you use any brand/type hot glue or is there a special kind that doesn't interact negatively with the foam, i.e. won't melt it? TIA!

[@evelyntager4452]

excelente! gracias!!!

[@tish1159]

what printer did you use to do this beautiful print? What resolution or dpi was it? thanks

[@chrissanchez9982]

Great video.