At the Michigan Historical Museum we no longer use the dry mount press for
label mounting. It takes too long, is smelly, and makes the 4-ply mount
board warp. Yuck.

We also do not use the "Positionable Mounting Adhesive"(PMA) because it
leaves too much adhesive residue, and doesn't stick very well over time.
However, we DO utilize the pressure roller that we purchased when we first
used PMA.

What we use is an adhesive called MacBond from Mactac. It is a powerful
adhesive film (I refer to it as "once it sticks, you'd better hope it's
right cause you don't get a second chance) and doesn't lift during the
lifetime of the exhibit. (It's used to apply decorative details on your
car!) Once you get the hang of applying it, you don't actually mess up much.


Also, we print most of our labels and small photos out on a printer that can
accomodate 13" x 19" paper (HP Desk Jet 1120 or 1200), so that if you do
screw up, just print another. Things larger than that go to an outside
vendor. Note that you DO need to use a pressure roller to make a label or
photo lie flat.

Information on the adhesive can be found at
http://www.industry.net/industry/menu/08lf6al0.html

If you need a protective overcoat, use a clear lexan overlaminate. (We buy
leftover ends from our outside vendor, so I don't have technical information
on this item)

We scan our images and design all labels (small & large) in house with a
desk-top publishing program. We combine all elements when designing
individual and section labels. It makes for a more interesting label, and
addresses needs of the visual learner. I currently use Quark Xpress, used to
use Corel Ventura and Adobe Pagemaker (which I hated,) and will probably be
switching to Macromedia Freehand. NOTE: for those of you with limited
budgets, these types of labels can be done in any program that allows you to
combine text & images. Printmaster, Word, etc. These programs aren't as easy
to use, but they ARE cheaper.

FYI, I've been producing and designing labels and exhibits since 1976, and
am familar with all the old techniques--I've morphed through lead type &
ink, to the IBM Selectric Orator Ball, to Typesetting with an outside vendor
(which was a struggle with upper management), to desktop publishing programs
(another struggle as our computer support people thought I should be able to
do it all in Word Perfect--which was theoretically possible, but horrendous
in practice). Don't even try to take away my large screen monitor, computer,
scanner or printer!
But, I digress. Think I'd best go eat my lunch! Hope the above helps.

Sincerely,

Susan Cooper Finney
Exhibit Designer/Graphic Artist
Michigan Historical Museum
717 W. Allegan St.
Box 30740
Lansing, MI 48909-8240
517-373-4859
[log in to unmask]

Date:    Tue, 12 Feb 2002 12:37:58 -0500
From:    Audra Oliver <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Dry mount (heat) vs Cold mount

We are considering adding equipment to mount labels and reproduction photos
to board for exhibit purposes.  This would be an occasional use with most of
the working being done out of house at this stage. In house use would be for
last minute changes.

What are the comparative advantages of a traditional drymount press vs the
cold mount press "Positionable mounting adhesive applicator" now on the
market?

Has anyone had experience with these two techniques?

I have used cold-mount adhesive and hand application in the past (10 or so
years ago). It took a certain "knack" but worked well and held well. I'm
glad to see it back on the market but this may not be the same product.

If you could have either system, which would you purchase?

If your choice is heat-molting, which press would you prefer?

Thank you.

Audra Oliver

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