Mounting a large print for cheap?

[slough]

Hi, im looking for some help with a large print that I would like to mount. the print is 63x43 and id basically just like to get it up and hanging on the wall. I've tried flattening the print for several days but it still curls at the edges because it was kept in a tube for so long. Ive read about people using spray mount and foamcore to mount large prints like this. I would rather use wood than foamcore, does anyone have suggestions for what kind of wood? I dont really care about how professional it looks, just something decent and cheap. is there anything i can coat over the print after it is mounted to the board?

thanks for any help

[marklone]

hey slough,
I get things foam core mounted quite a bit from my local officemax, i THINK for things larger than 16X20 they might have to send it away to corporate to do like a banner which can get sort of costly, but it would prob be worth it. they would also laminate it. they always turn out GREAT!

[caribou]

hopefully it's not a valuable print, since the second you mount it to anything the value goes down the crapper. besides, several days to flatten it out may not be enough. anyways, i'm not sure if foam core comes in pieces that big, plus foamcore might bend when you mount something that large to it, so you might have to go with a sheet of plywood. Lowe's has 1/8" stuff that is nice and smooth. build a small frame, nail the wood onto it, then mount the poster with spray mount. if you want to coat it, thin out some acrylic gel medium and paint it on with a paint brush. make sure you get the right sheen that you want (gloss vs matte).

[DenisMutter]

I'd frame-back it - mount it to an over sized piece of foam core (take it someplace that will use a heat press to mount it) than build a simple wooden frame & glue to the back of the foam core - for a piece that big, you'll want to either wire the wood to hold it straight, or build the frame to be substantial enough to retard warping.

[SkinnyD]

Go to a sign shop. The one I work at gets foam core in 4'x8' sheets. They also get a better version of it called Gator Foam. It's stiffer and hardier, a little more like a super thick ragmat paper. If they're worth their salt they should be able to apply it for you.