How to trim cotton fine art paper for mounting and avoiding noticeable white edges?

<p>Hi. I have an exhibition coming up. I'm printing with inkjet on <strong>MOAB Entrada Rag Natural 190</strong> paper. <br>

I will be mounting the prints on wood.<br>

The Entrada Rag Natural paper is made from cotton fiber. We did some tests and mounted a couple of small prints on the wood and what's troubling me is that while the paper is fairly thin (the thinnest cotton based fine art paper that MOAB makes for inkjet), I can still clearly see white along the edges of the print where it was trimmed. Apparently the cotton fibers fluff ever so slightly when trimmed which probably causes this.<br>

So when mounting a dark print on relatively dark would, there is a noticeable white lining around the image.<br>

Does someone know any way to overcome this? Someone suggested trimming the paper with laser, but I'm not sure he knows what he's talking about, so just wanted to get some second opinions.<br>

Looking forward to replies from someone who has experience with this type of work. Thanks!</p>

 

Magic marker or Sharpie

<p>If I was to try the approach Bob is suggesting I'd print a black border and then trim up to that. Then I'd use the actual ink from the printer to cover the edge with a brush. That should look the most natural. You could get black ink from a used cartridge with a syringe or by cracking open the cart and cutting the bag (both would work for Epson).</p>

<p>Trimming specific answers, assuming you are using an industrial guillotine cutter (like Polar Mohr): Have your knife resharpened and put some scrap sheets (2 should do for sure, they may be different stock and bigger) below the print you want to cut.</p>

<p>Good metal straight edge and a razor blade. Cut an an angle into the paper edge. With this type of paper you most likely won't ever get it to completely disappear but this should get you pretty close.<br>

It is how we mounted fibre based paper so no dry mount tissue would show.</p>

<p>Thanks guys. Will try these techniques out. Thank you!</p>

The cotton rag paper is acid free but the wood has a high lignan content and would be acidic, eventually destroying the

images unless the wood has been sealed. Adi, how are you intending to make these prints archival (or are you)?

 

I am hoping to learn something.

 

Cheers!

<p>so my understanding is that the prints will be mounted to a wood substrate with no mat . . .right? If that is the case, then archival consederations are not part of the project, and:<br>

UMMM . . .I'd try to keep it as simple as possible and still do a good job of blackening the edge . . .my vote is for the marking pen.</p>