Mounted Prints are an extension of our Silver Halide Photo Prints, designed to add structure, durability, and ease of display. Your photo is first professionally printed using our Silver Halide process, then permanently mounted to a rigid backing for a flatter, more polished presentation.
Mounting helps protect your print, keeps it looking its best over time, and offers a clean, professional finish—perfect for framing, photography competitions, or stand-alone display.
👉 Want to learn more about the print itself?
Visit our Silver Halide Photo Prints article to explore paper types, image quality, and print characteristics before choosing a mounting option.
✨ What Is Photo Mounting?
Photo mounting involves permanently adhering your photo print to a sturdy support board. This process enhances durability, reduces curling or bending, and makes your print easier to handle, frame, or display.
Whether you’re preparing work for a professional presentation, building a gallery wall, or adding structure behind a framed print, professional mounting helps ensure your images look polished and presentation-ready.
🛒 Ordering Availability
Mounted Prints can be ordered through:
💡 Ordering Notes
Size availability may vary by platform. Additionally, some sizes may have limitations for particular mounting options.
Mounting options are selected during the ordering process
📐 Mounting Options
We offer several mounting materials to suit different display needs, environments, and preferences:
Foamcore (3/16”): Lightweight yet durable polystyrene with a white foam edging. Easy to handle. Hanging hardware is not included.
Gatorboard: A rigid foam composite material with minimal bending. Offered in two thicknesses: 3/16" and 1/2". Gatorboard is only available in black. Complimentary gator hooks are provided for easy hanging!
How to Use Gator Hooks
Follow the steps below to attach and use your Gator Hooks for hanging your print:
Protect the print surface.
Place the print face down on a soft microfiber cloth or other clean, soft surface to prevent scratches or damage.Insert the hook.
Press the short, triangular end of the Gator Hook firmly into the back of the Gatorboard.Secure the hook.
Gently lift the sawtooth portion away from the back of the board until the hook is fully engaged and positioned.Hang the print.
Place the sawtooth portion of the hook over a nail or screw in the wall.
Note: Screws and wall anchors for wall installation are not included.
Styrene (2mm): Extremely rigid plastic composite material that is resistant to warping. Styrene is only available in black. Hanging hardware is not included.
Matboards: Ideal for professional framing. Offered as Single-Weight or Double-Weight.
Single-Weight Matboard is a cardboard material bonded together to create a 14-ply board (1/16" thick). It is extremely lightweight, but we recommend framing matboard-mounted prints. Single Weight Matboard is only available in white. Hanging hardware is not included.
- Double Weight Matboard is a cardboard material bonded together to create a 28-ply board (1/8" thick). It is extremely lightweight and durable with minimal bending, but we recommend framing matboard-mounted prints. Double Weight Matboard is only available in white. Hanging hardware is not included.
Standouts: Designed for modern, frameless display. Standouts are extremely lightweight and feature four grooved holes on the back for easy hanging in portrait or landscape orientation. All four sides are finished with a high-grade textured edge in your choice of black or white. Standouts are available in one thickness: 0.75". Hanging hardware is not included.
📊 Mounting Options Comparison
| Mounting Option | Thickness | Weight | Best For | Key Benefits |
| Foamcore | 3/16" | Lightweight | Framing, short-term display | Affordable, easy to handle, adds structure, frame-ready |
| Gatorboard | 3/16" and 1/2" | Medium | Larger prints, long-term display | More rigid than Foamcore, resists bending |
| Styrene | 2mm | Heavier | Unframed or long-term wall display | Most warp-resistant, extremely rigid |
| Matboard (Single-Weight and Double-Weight) | Varies | Lightweight | Framing with a polished finish | Professional look, frame-ready |
| Standout Mount | 3/4" | Lightweight | Frameless wall display | Clean edges, modern presentation |
🤔 Which Mounting Option Should I Choose?
✔️ Planning to frame your print?
👉 Foamcore or Matboard (Single-Weight or Double-Weight)
These options add structure while fitting easily into most standard frames.
✔️ Want the most rigid, warp-resistant option?
👉 Styrene
Ideal for larger sizes or unframed displays where long-term flatness matters most.
✔️ Displaying a larger print or want extra durability?
👉 Gatorboard
Offers greater rigidity and support than Foamcore.
✔️ Looking for a modern, frameless wall display?
👉 Standout Mount
Designed to be displayed on its own for a sleek, contemporary look.
📌 Decision reminder:
All Mounted Prints begin as Silver Halide Photo Prints. If image quality, paper type, or finish is your top priority, we recommend reviewing our Silver Halide Photo Prints article before selecting a mounting option.
🧱 Materials & Finish
All Mounted Prints start as high-quality Silver Halide Photo Prints and are professionally adhered to your selected mounting material using durable adhesives designed to maintain long-term bond strength and image integrity.
Each mounting option provides a smooth, polished appearance while preserving the color accuracy and detail you expect from Nations Photo Lab.
All mounting boards, except Standouts, must be cut 3/32" smaller than the photo size (± 1/32" variance). Standout boards are cut 1/8" smaller (± 1/32" variance).
🖼️ Display & Hanging Guidance
Mounted Prints do not include hanging hardware, with the exception of Gatorboard Mounted Prints. Depending on your display preference, you may:
Frame the mounted print for a finished, gallery-ready look
Use adhesive hanging strips
Display on an easel or shelf (size-dependent)
Mount directly to the wall (recommended for Styrene or Standout mounts)
📌 For maximum longevity, framing your mounted print is highly recommended.
🧼 Care Instructions
Avoid prolonged exposure to intense direct sunlight
Keep away from high-humidity environments
Handle by the edges when possible
Mounted prints displayed without frames may have a reduced lifespan due to environmental exposure.
🧪 Styrene has been shown to be the least susceptible to bowing or warping over time.
📦 Packaging & Protection
Mounted Prints are carefully packaged to help ensure safe delivery:
Prints are protected with poly sleeves
Reinforced cardboard is used to minimize movement
Orders may ship in multiple packages, depending on size and mounting material
⏱️ Turnaround Time
👉 Click HERE to view current in-lab production times for Mounted Prints.
Turnaround times may vary during peak seasons.
Shipping time is additional and depends on the method selected.
🚚 Shipping Options
FREE Economy Shipping on qualifying orders of $89+
Available shipping methods:
Economy
Standard
Fast
Faster
Fastest
Shipping time is in addition to production time.
🌍 International Shipping
International shipping is available.
Delivery times, costs, and any customs fees vary by destination and are the recipient’s responsibility.
⚡ Rush Options
Rush shipping options may be available for qualifying Mounted Print sizes. Availability depends on current production capacity.
❌ Can This Product Be Voided or Canceled?
Mounted Print orders may be canceled only if production has not started. Once an order enters production, it cannot be voided or canceled.
❓ FAQs
Q: Do mounted prints experience trim?
A: Yes, after the print is affixed to the mounting material, both the print and mount are trimmed together to create a flush edge. For this reason, we advise keeping important information in the image away from the edge of the print. Up to 1/8" will be trimmed from each side in the mounting process.
Q: Can I have a print mounted on a larger size mounting material (e.g., 8x10 print on 11x14 mounting)?
A: No. The mounting material and print will always be the same size.
Q: Are borders recommended for Mounted Prints?
A: We highly recommend ordering Mounted Prints without borders. Mounted Prints are hand-trimmed, so we cannot guarantee even borders at this time.
Q: Are all sizes of prints able to be mounted?
A: Unfortunately, not all print sizes can be mounted on all materials. Print sizes measuring 26" or 45" are the least available for mounting.
Q: Are the mounting materials acid-free?
A: They are not acid-free or archival.
📞 Still Need Help?
If you have questions about choosing the right mounting option, display recommendations, or your order, our team is always happy to help.
👉 Reach out through our Contact Us form anytime — we’re here to help you create something picture perfect.
Comments
1 comment
I need cost for mounting 16 x 20 prints on all boards. It would be good to include this information
On the page
Please sign in to leave a comment.