What Is The Difference Between Loose and Mounted Prints?

There are so many options when it comes to having your photographs printed that it can be totally overwhelming. And choosing between two types of prints that seem on the surface to be practically the same thing might have you opting for the less expensive option. Take, for example, mounted and loose prints. Mounted prints and loose prints are similar in look, but function very differently. Choosing between the two might seem like a waste of time, but it is important that you choose the right print for the right purpose.

Mounted Prints

Mounted prints include your favourite photographically printed photo mounted on a thick backing. This is done so that your print can be displayed in different ways without curling, bending, folding, or ripping. Typically we use these prints in frames or display them on their own on a woodblock which you can see below.

Mounted prints make great gifts because they come ready to frame and have a more thoughtful, high quality feel to them than loose prints.

Loose Prints

Loose prints, aka “prints,” are just that. Just the paper-thin print. Unmounted and unframed. If you’ve ever had a roll of film developed, this is what you’d get back in that little envelope: tons of loose 5×7 prints. We would choose to go with loose prints for a specific project. You will frame your loose prints, use them in a scrapbook, or hang them from a clothesline at your wedding.

Loose prints curl over time, can bend, and be ripped. If you are framing them, you should have them mounted first to keep them flat. If you don’t know whether you need a mounted or loose print, chances are that you need a mounted print.

Contact Me For More Help

Have more questions about what type of print you need? Tap here to contact me, and I’ll help you through the process.