Mounting Stamps

Hi to all

When mounting stamps using hawid mounts, (I think that is what they are called.) is it better to have the clear background or the black background.
I have used the black backgrounds, but I am beginning to think the clear ones look better.
What does everyone else think
The example shown here is an early attempt, before I purchased a mini cutter, so I will have to re-do these anyway, but it is interesting to find out preferences.
Regards
Horamakhet
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Much comes down to personal preference.

The clear mounts are preferred by some collectors, but to use the example page you scanned, if you used a clear mount for the second stamp, the perfin would all but disappear without removing the stamp from the mount and looking at it against a dark background. Also, black mounts help you to visually identify the various perforation varieties a lot easier than clear mounts would.

On the other hand, the clear mounts are a bit more forgiving in terms of miscut mounts as the dark background makes it real obvious to see mistakes in the cutting of the mounts; the clear mounts are a bit more invisible to the naked eye.

Beyond all of that, some just like the appearance of clear mounts and others the appearance of the black mounts. I don't know what the availability is in your country (Australia) but in the US I have found that dark background mounts are generally easier to find and buy in various sizes as compared to the clear ones.

How are you mounting the mounts to the page? I use a removable adhesive pen, in that way you can re-use the mount should you decide to change the position of it later on.

On the other hand, if you fasten the gummed mount directly to a page, you typically ruin both the mount and the album page in the process.

I agree with wt1. It comes down to personal preference. That's what I love about this hobby, it's all about personal preference. The only thing I would counsel is to mount your collection in a way so you don't damage or allow damage to come to your stamps.

I prefer black mounts. IMHO, they frame the stamps better.

wt1: What kind of removable adhesive pen are you using? I've thought about that, but hadn't taken the leap yet. If you're willing to share a brand, that'd be great!

Tombow Removable Adhesive - Be sure it says "removable" as they have a permanent adhesive version as well.

https://goscf.com/t/27131&SearchTerms=Tombow

Hi Horamkhet

Black or clear background is really a personal preference. I have been using the black background for years. However, I use blank quadrille pages exclusively and I feel the clear background "hides" some stamp details on blank pages.

Here are 2 threads regarding the use of Showgard/Hawid mounts that may be of interest:

https://goscf.com/t/17131

https://goscf.com/t/22368

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wt1.
I like the idea of the removable adhesive pen. The only questions I have are:
1. Does it affect the mount in any way?
2. How permanent is the bond to the paper?
3. Do you find the pen in a craft store, or where?
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Jerry B

Hi to all

I find that if you only moisten the top of the mount it is easier to remove without damaging the page.

Thank you to all the forum out there for sharing their opinions.
I do not feel so bad now about using black mounts.

I use clear hawid or lighthouse mounts. I don't have a guillotine for cutting mounts. I find that clear mounts don't show uneven scissor cuts. I prefer the top-opening mount to the back/middle opening mounts as a matter of personal preference. I can always cut one of the hawid's down to size if I need to which is hard to do with the back-middle opening mounts.

Just another voice! I use black Lighthouse mounts. It's easy to get both black and clear from local dealers but the black is the more common and more sizes seem to be readily available. Like others, I think the black background shows off the details of the stamp more so than the clear.

I mount my stamps with deception in mind. Since the album page is white, I use clear mounts because it can make it harder to notice an off-center stamp at first glance.


-IBFS

I'm with nbstaper. I only use black mounts (I prefer Showgard) because it's easier to see all of the detail. You need the contrast. I don't care if it's off-center. It is what it is.

1. Does it affect the mount in any way?

DOESN'T SEEM TO. IT'S ADHESIVE IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF POST-IT NOTES. THE LINK PROVIDED EARLIER SHOWS THE PRODUCT IS ACID FREE AND IT CERTAINLY CAN'T DAMAGE THE STAMP MOUNT OR THE ALBUM PAGE ANY MORE THAN USING THE GUMMED ADHESIVE ALREADY ON THE STAMP MOUNT.

2. How permanent is the bond to the paper?

VERY REMOVABLE, JUST LIKE A POST-IT NOTE ADHESIVE WOULD BE. THE ADHESIVE CAN RUB OFF AFTER REMOVAL, TOO. MORE SPECIFICALLY, REFER TO THIS QUOTE FROM THE PRODUCT WEBSITE:




3. Do you find the pen in a craft store, or where?

MOST CRAFT STORES HAVE IT FOR ABOUT $6 OR $7 A CARTRIDGE. ON-LINE PROMOS ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO PLACES LIKE HOBBY LOBBY, MICHAEL'S OR AC MOORE WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND 40% OR 50% OFF ANY ITEM COUPONS, MAKING THE ITEM VERY AFFORDABLE.

Thanks for the tips! Especially about the Michael's coupon! I just printed it out, and will pick up one of these pens over the next few days. Many thanks!

-- Dave

Hi wt1

Thanks for answering my questions. If the adhesive is like a post-it I have one t will "fall off" whatever it is stuck to.

Anyways, I am going to buy one of these pens and try it out.

Jerry B

Hi Ajnabii



I have read somewhere that Hawid mounts have a slight curl downward at the top to hold the stamp in place. If you cut the top to re-size the mount you lose this "curl". I know someone who uses Hawid and large items, such as souvenir sheets, fall out of the mount with page turning.

Jerry B