I am framing poster for customer which appeared to be a typical poster material. It must be a laser ink copy. I did not use heat press but was using tacking iron in the corner to adhere to foam core. The black ink smeared in the small corner I hit. Is there a solution to lighten up where ink smeared. I can make a larger mat to cover area if needed, just a small pieces of border affected.
Poster ink smeared with heat press iron
- Thread starter Trish
- Start date
Welcome to the Grumble, Trish.
I think your only solution is to cover with the mat as you mentioned.
I quit using a tacking iron many years ago because it can very easily cause damage, especially to photos.
You don't really know how hot it is and the heat is concentrated in a small area.
I do tons of dry mounting and I just never tack anything with the iron.
tedh
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
I'm with Neil. I learned the hard way, as he probably did.
I think you have two choices: cover with the mat, or replace the print, at your cost. It depends on how well you know your customer.
You can either tell the customer, or just cover it up.
I'd talk to them. See what they would accept.
I think you have two choices: cover with the mat, or replace the print, at your cost. It depends on how well you know your customer.
You can either tell the customer, or just cover it up.
I'd talk to them. See what they would accept.
njw1224
CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Sounds like the print may have been from a thermal wax printer. They work similarly to dye sub printers, but use colored wax cartridges, which melts and is deposited in very small droplets to make the image. Printers today have all gotten so good, and they print on a variety of papers, making it difficult to know exactly what type of printer was used sometimes.
Joe B
PFG, Picture Framing God
Try using a little 100% Acetone (clear nail polish remover) with a Q tip - make sure to not get it on the image itself because it will remove the ink you don't want to remove. The acetone will evaporate without leaving any spots and should remove the ink. With a paper towel, I first sponge most of the acetone off the Q tip before dabbing at the spot, this will help control the Q tip. I have used this several times and it does work with most inks but be careful. Lots of luck.
Like Neil I don't use the tacking iron much. I only use a tacking iron when I have a wide border and am assured that I do not touch the image area. Joe
Like Neil I don't use the tacking iron much. I only use a tacking iron when I have a wide border and am assured that I do not touch the image area. Joe
I don't do much mounting nowadays, but I long since have stopped using a tacking iron.
It's deadly on photos if you leave on a millisecond too long.
In fact I don't use tissue any more. Film is more expensive but you don't need to tack stuff.
It's deadly on photos if you leave on a millisecond too long.
In fact I don't use tissue any more. Film is more expensive but you don't need to tack stuff.
Thanks for all the info and quick responses. I've been framing less than 2 years and have now learned to skip the tacking iron I was taught originally. Not sure if we can replace the "poster" which I offered immediately. But customer, fortunately friend of the family, will accept changing mat to cover the decorative edge and the large antiqued map image will still look great.
I appreciate this quick resource!!!
I appreciate this quick resource!!!
Thanks!!
I second trying acetone carefully to try and remove the smudge, but be prepared for it to look even worse, so try it first in the spot that will be covered with the mat.
I also have greatly reduced my use of the tacking iron. I use it only on the very edge of a piece in an area that will be covered with a mat, and I use a piece of release paper under the iron to avoid shiny spots (which only sometimes works, but since it will be covered anyway it's not a big issue).
I also have greatly reduced my use of the tacking iron. I use it only on the very edge of a piece in an area that will be covered with a mat, and I use a piece of release paper under the iron to avoid shiny spots (which only sometimes works, but since it will be covered anyway it's not a big issue).
Customer was very understanding since he thought it was as poster as well and we have a suitable option to hid the error. I didn't heat press since I knew options to replace was unlikely. But I'm checking into replacing if possible.
tedh
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Don't you love it when things work out?