I've been wanting to sell mounted prints of my most popular illustrations Reflection and Trial. And I know how scary working with resin can seem, so I decided to put together a step-by-step video guide explaining how to mount prints and seal them with ArtResin, a non-yellowing and archival resin just for the artwork.
What you'll need:
- ArtResin
- Gesso or Matte Medium
- 8x10 Wooden Panel
- Medium Sponge Brush
- Exacto Blade
- Wax Paper
- Brayer (or a bone fold or credit card)
- Tombow Xtreme Adhesive
- Wax Paper
- Spare Cardboard. Used to protect your workstation.
- Mixing cup
- Tablespoon
- Box Top. Used to protect your mounted piece from dust as it cures.
- Latex gloves (optional)
Step 1: Prepping Your Surface
Cover your 8x10 wooden panel with gesso or matte medium to protect it from any acids in the wood. Some panels come pre-gessoed. Just make sure that your surface is very smooth, so your print will lay flat.
Step 2: Adhere your Print
Apply Tombow Xtreme Adhesive to your wooden panel. Carefully align your pre-trimmed print to the surface. (Side note: I print my own prints with a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer on Canon Premium Luster paper.) Cover your print with wax paper and use a brayer to press the print onto your wooden panel. Cut any excess with an Exacto blade.
Step 2 Alternative (not in video)
Cover your wooden panel with matte medium or any other acid-free glue meant for paper. Print your intended print with a .25 bleed and place your print on the wooden panel. Cover with wax paper to protect your print and use your brayer to press the print firmly to your surface. Start from the middle and work your way outwards with the brayer. This prevents trapped bubbles. Let dry for 20mins. Flip your piece over and trim the excess paper with your Exacto blade. Here is a past tutorial I did for mounting BFK rives paper: View it here. It is the exact same method.
Step 3: Apply ArtResin
Mix as instructed. Make sure your measurements are exact. Otherwise, it won't cure correctly. I use 2TB of the resin and 2TB of the hardener for a single 8x10 print. Apply ArtResin directly onto your now mounted print. Spread across your piece. ArtResin will self-level, so don't worry about getting it even. Let it sit for 5 mins to let the bubbles settle.
Step 4: Bubble Killing
Use a hand torch to eliminate bubbles. I bought a small kitchen one for $20 at Bed Bath and Beyond. Try to eliminate all your bubbles in the first 20mins. The ArtResin will start to harden at 45mins. Remember to cover your sides with resin too. This will seal your print that much better. Smooth out any dripping. Remove any dust with a toothpick or loop of paper.
Step 5: Cover Your Artwork
Cover your piece with a box lid for 24hours. It'll completely harden in 72hours.
Step 6: Paint the Sides
Wait the full 72 hours. Paint the sides of the print with water based paint. A wet paper towel will remove any smudges that may get on the actual print. Just wipe away quickly.
Step 7: Hang and Enjoy!
