Acrylic Mounts: Anyone With Experience?

12/10/2012 01:08:30 PM · #1

I've been thinking about getting some photos mounted for hanging at home, and I want a clean, modern look. So, I've been looking at prints face-mounted to acrylic (or direct-printed on acrylic). I have no experience with any of the providers I've found online, and I don't recall any discussion here, so I thought it would be a good topic to bring up. Some of the companies I've see out there include Bumblejax, Acrylic Image and ArtisanHD. There are certainly more, these are three that show up at or near the top of search results. Thoughts?

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

12/10/2012 01:19:39 PM · #2

I have the same question. Anyone? I also saw AcrylicPix.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/10/2012 01:22:18 PM · #3

I had a shot done by my local guy here on acrylic......backlit....

Just freakin' WOW!!!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/10/2012 01:25:01 PM · #4

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Just freakin' WOW!!!

Yep, I've seen examples and they really knocked my socks off :-) I have a set of four images that I want to hang in a group, and I think this is the way to go.

Devinder

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/10/2012 01:38:48 PM · #5

i ve seen it and can't wait to be able to afford this stuff for certain types of images. The works i saw had a very sleek, high end look to them.

Ozzie

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

12/10/2012 01:45:15 PM · #6

Is this the one you are referring to, Kirbic?

//www.acrylicpix.com/

How does one compare this to prints on aluminum sheets?

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

12/10/2012 01:55:02 PM · #7

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

I had a shot done by my local guy here on acrylic......backlit....

Just freakin' WOW!!!

Could you elaborate? Local guy? Where? Are you suggesting I could call around to labs in the area (not many here) and find someone?

12/10/2012 01:55:17 PM · #8

That's another one, yes. There seem to be quite a number of vendors offering variations on this type of mounting.
The key difference between this and any other type of mount is that the photo is mounted (or printed directly) to back side of the acrylic. That results in very vibrant colors, and a perception of "depth" to the print that is unobtainable by other means. It's really striking when you see it in person.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

12/10/2012 02:00:09 PM · #9

Originally posted by Ozzie:

Is this the one you are referring to, Kirbic?

//www.acrylicpix.com/

How does one compare this to prints on aluminum sheets?

It was I, not

kirbic who threw that company into the mix - just an internet search result, though, no personal experience.
I didn't look at that comparison but it was pretty easy to see their sizes and prices (not the case with acrylicimage.com which I also looked at). Neither of these places offered a 2:3 ratio which is what I was looking for. Found that at bumblejax.com BUT the product is described as mounted behind a thin sheet of acrylic rather than printed on acrylic. At least I think other places print directly on the acrylic. I would like information on this, too, so I know what to look for.

12/10/2012 02:47:32 PM · #10

FWIW, I think that both the direct-printed and mounted-print techniques are viable. One supplier offers both. I'm more familiar with the mounted-print technique, and that does seem to be more common. I can see the direct-printed technique offering advantages in lower cost, but there are potential issues, like less resistance to damage from something contacting the backside, and possible light transmission from the backside (to be avoided unless you are backlighting it).

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

12/10/2012 02:53:14 PM · #11

The print I have in mind will be hung in a bathroom. I am interested in something that will be resistant to moisture. A local printer (I know and trust their quality on canvas and paper) says the closest they can come is to print on paper, mount to clear plexiglass, and then mount that to black sintra (if I'm understanding correctly). Without the final mounting, sandwiching the print between the two materials, the paper would be exposed (not suitable for my needs). They do not print on acrylic and she said to make sure the ink used was waterproof because some aren't. I also put a call in to a local sign company - they do mostly commercial work but lots for outdoors. They are to call me back.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/10/2012 03:07:25 PM · #12

Ah, yes, for an area like a bath, where occasional very high moisture levels are encountered, I too would be a little concerned with the back of the paper print exposed. Mounting that to a Sintra backing would certainly be a good option, but of course you'd have that black border behind the acrylic sheet on the edge. Another option would be to over-spray the back of the print with something. You don't need a lot of protection, just a barrier that will stand up during those temporary high moisture periods.
I have a print framed and hanging in our master bath that has been there for 12 years, and still looks fine. It's a traditional frame, and is properly sealed with paper at the back, but that provides only minimal protection form humidity... but it has been enough.

ETA: Still hoping for folks with experience with on-line providers of this type of mount to chime in :-)

Message edited by author 2012-12-10 15:08:32.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

12/10/2012 03:10:40 PM · #13

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

I had a shot done by my local guy here on acrylic......backlit....

Just freakin' WOW!!!

Originally posted by nam:

Could you elaborate? Local guy? Where? Are you suggesting I could call around to labs in the area (not many here) and find someone?

I dunno about labs, but I started looking around for printers......this guy I speak of specifically is kind of a cutting edge junkie.......he's always experimenting with new processes and techniques. He printed a wonderful canvas for me, and when I was done oohing & aahing over it, he said, "Did I mention with this process that if it gets dirty, just wash it with water and a cloth?".

Really???? Cool!!!

Anyway, he's been dinking around printing on all sorts of mediums......he called them substraits (sp?) and one thing he mentioned was that he could either print the image on the acrylic with no backing, which makes it awesome for backlighting, or with some process put a layer or coating so no light gets through the back. I would suggest checking your local printers to see if anyone is into printing onto the different materials.

FWIW, I have found in my search for printers that most commercial endeavors do not necessarily solicit photographers because they can be exceedingly picky and hard to satisfy. I highly recommend being up front if you are, and be willing to bear some, or all of the costs for experimentation on your [projects. The reason this fabulous guy does work for me is for those reasons. To my knowledge, I'm the only photog he works for because by nature we are a PITA. I have been *super* happy with the way this man has done my work because as it turns out he's as fussy, if not more so than I.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

12/10/2012 03:23:18 PM · #14

Jeb, it sounds like you have yourself a great resource there! I have a local printer that I really like, and I would *love* it if they got into printing to or mounting to acrylic. I have mentioned it to them, and they told me I was not the first to ask, so perhaps??
Meantime, I need to find an on-line resource I can count on.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

12/10/2012 03:35:29 PM · #15

Originally posted by nam:

Can't say how acrylic would do, but I have seen mounted maps on acrylic that were peeling because of a water leak, so I'm guessing that the direct print method might be better.

I can, however, tell you that aluminum prints do VERY well in bathrooms, I've had one hung basically IN my shower for almost a year now.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/10/2012 09:12:11 PM · #16

Metallic prints (via c-ink) look awesome face mounted. Costs extra but it might be worth it depending on the type of shot. For the first time, just a few months ago, I started to work with a local printer. They did outsource the mounting. Many places print in one spot and do the framing and mounting at another location or outsource. The shot that was face mounted was supposed to be super centered. I later learnt if that effect is intended, leave a bit of wiggle room for the folks doing the mounting. Don't crop too tightly.

Message edited by author 2012-12-10 21:13:05.

coreyd74

01/12/2013 01:55:18 PM · #17

My experience has been that printing direct to acrylic doesn't offer quite the same vibrancy or oomph that the face-mount option does. It's certainly a lot cheaper however it's not really gallery quality in my opinion. Face-mounting metallic paper prints to acrylic really takes it to the next level especially when lit properly with gallery type lighting. The piece almost looks backlit. This is the method Peter Lik uses to display his work (famous landscape photographer). Bumblejax and WestCoast Imaging offer these services.