Floating

[colrehogan]

I've seen the term floating mentioned when discussing mounting and matting. What does it mean in this context?

[ann]

leaving a space around the print that is seen (on the back board), the window does not butt up against the print, rather is usually larger on the top and sides leaving a bit larger space at the bottom so the board that supports the print is signed, not the window.

[VoidoidRamone]

...or, from what I've heard, when you print your image say 9x11.5 on 11x14 paper and you cut a window with an opening of 10x12.5. So that you see the extra white of the paper, and there is a .5" border around that actual image. I just matted 12 prints to those specs. Sorry if that doesn't make a lot of sense. Basically it's just where there is white between the beveled window edge and the actual image itself.
-Grant

[Ed Sukach]

Let me give this a shot....

A "Floating Mount" consists of three layers ... The print is mounted without borders on the top layer; immediately underneath is a smaller piece of mat board to which the top layer is affixed; the top layer overhangs the intermediate layer on all edges so that the intermediate layer is not visible - appearing to "float" above the "bottom" layer - a usual mat to the edges of the frame.

OK .. now, I've read this and it seems to make sense to me. If it does not, let me know and I'll draw a diagram and scan it ... when I have enough time.

[c6h6o3]

I take it to mean simply that the border of the overmat does not touch the print. Just two layers.

[rbarker]

It's when you cut it the wrong size and frisbey it into the pond out back.

[Bob Carnie]

I agree with Ed, a photograph is mounted to an undersized board and then that board is mounted to a larger board that produces the border around the print and the photograph seems to float .
\This technique works well with rag prints.

[Mongo]

I have a serigraph by Fermin Hernandez that's mounted in a floating style; I can't imagine it mounted any other way.

[Early Riser]

A floating mat is when the window mat is cut to an opening larger than the print, this leaves the total print and some of the board that the print is mounted to visible. The advantage of this is that the window mat never contacts the print surface, which eliminates the possibility of the window mat leaving an impression on the print surface.

Also mat board will absorb acid and pollution from the air and even buffered board may eventually turn acidic. If you use the alternative to a floating mat, an overmat, the acid may be transferred to the print due to it's direct contact with the print surface. The disadvantage is that you have to mount a floating mat print more precisely and you need to have clean edges on the print.