encrypted by Jane Davila
Collage Mania 2008

Bristol board
Mat board
140 lb. watercolor paper
300 lb. watercolor paper.

You may also mat your collage with a 10x8" backing board.

All collages should be ready to be placed in a 10"x8" frame.

Here are a few questions that were asked last year:

1. What is Bristol board? Here is Mister Art’s description. You can certainly buy more expensive and heavier varieties, but I buy a pad of this 300 series and cut it down to the size I need. You can buy it at chain craft stores, such as Michaels, and, of course, art stores such as Mister Art and Dick Blick. If you can find it at your locally-owned art or craft store, hey, I’m all for that. It is called “board” but it really is a very heavy paper.

2. What is mat board? Again, here is an example and a description at Mister Art. You can also buy it a Dick Blick, some craft stores, and, of course, at framers. Make sure it is acid-free and white or neutral.

3. What is archival artists' canvas panel? Click here for an example.

4. What about matting my collage? You may buy a precut mat sized to your collage, but the overall size with backing board must still be 10"x8". Be sure you receive a backing board on which to mount your collage with your mat. I’m sure you know the drill: Acid-free, white or neutral.

5. How do I attach my collage to the mount ?
What follows are some of the ways which have worked well for me. Please contact me if you have other suggestions.

Primarily paper: Self-adhesive linen mounting tape (here is one example). Acid-free adhesive of your choice such as: gel medium (I use Golden soft matte per Lesley Riley’s suggestion), Mistyfuse (seriously!), Xyron, and acid-free glues and adhesives. Go to a craft or office supply store and you will be amazed at the variety of acid-free adhesives available and their many forms.

I have heard good things about Yes! paste, but it is so thick that I have pretty much given up on it. Here is another view on Yes! and other adhesives. But, remember that we ARE concerned with acid-free.

Primarily fabric: You can, with care, sew fabric to either Bristol or mat board using your sewing machine. Lengthen your stitch so you don’t end up making a perforated line. You can also punch two little holes under just the top two corners or all four corners of your collage while it is laying on the backing in its correct position. Then just sew the collage to the board. You can also use Mistyfuse or other fusible depending on the thickness of your piece.

Cynthia St. Charles generously shares her method of mounting her collages to the backing board used with a precut mat:
I have found that an acid free glue stick works wonderfully for mounting my paper and cloth collages to a backing board. I apply a generous coat of glue stick to the art. Covering it completely. I put it in place, then burnish it or rub smooth with my hands to get complete adhesion. Then, I place it under a flat weight for 24 hours. This results in a very clean, smooth bond that seems to hold up well. Occasionally, I will coat my paper art with mat medium, but usually, I don’t bother. I used this same technique when I made all my fiber art postcards for FFAC. I am not sure a glue stick would be good for anything much bigger than an 8×10 because it dries so quickly. I am so glad a glue stick works for this because I have chemical sensitivities and even mat medium tends to give me a headache. The glue stick I use is non-toxic and odorless.

6. Why do I have to mount my collage on a backing if it is not 10"x8"? This is to ensure that your patron will receive a piece ready to be framed and enjoyed.

7. How do I sign and date my work? This is another good reason for mounting your collage on a backing of mat or Bristol board. Write, in pencil, the title of your work under the left bottom edge of your collage and sign your name, followed by the year under the right bottom edge of your collage. If your collage is finished to 10"x8," be sure to at least sign your work on the front and include a label with title, your name, and the date on the back.

8. And, as long as we are discussing all the technical details of Collage Mania, here are a few shipping hints:

An easy way to protect your collage when you ship it to your patrons is to use a sheet protector. Cut the edge with the punched holes off and slip your collage inside. If your collage is on Bristol board, tape the sheet protector with the collage inside to thin cardboard or poster board before shipping. If you are going to be shipping more collages in the future, check out Clear Envelopes. I use padded envelopes to ship collages. It’s probably not necessary, but why not add another layer of protection for your artwork?

Again, comments, questions and suggestions welcome. Contact me at
Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.com