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How to Display a Tintype

Photography has gone through evolution over the years, with various formats and development processes emerging and disappearing. The tintype process, for example, was long popular before becoming outmoded. The process printed images directly onto a light-sensitive emulsion on metal, which photographers would immediately develop. This early form of instant photography has virtually disappeared, but the images remain. With the proper technique and materials, you can display tintypes safely and preserve them for years to come.

Things You'll Need

Picture frame
Tintype
Conservation matboard
Hobby knife
Conservation glass

Instructions

- 1
  Select a frame with enough room for the tintype and a mat border. Avoid using a frame too large for the image and mat, as it will make the tintype look smaller.
- 2
  With a hobby knife, cut two pieces of conservation quality matboard to the size of the interior of the frame.
- 3
  Trace the shape of the tintype onto one of the pieces of matboard.
- 4
  Cut out the tintype shape a few millimeters in from the edges with a hobby knife. This will create an overlap which will hold the tintype in place.
- 5
  Lift any tabs holding the back of the picture frame in place, remove the backing and glass and discard them.
- 6
  Place a piece of conservation glass the same size as the original glass in the frame.
- 7
  Place the matboard with the cut out shape of the tintype against the glass.
- 8
  Place the tintype evenly over the hole in the matboard. The matboard will provide a "float mount" to prevent the tintype from making direct contact with the conservation glass.
- 9
  Place the second piece of matboard behind the tintype.
- 10
  Fold the tabs against the matboard to secure the float mount and tintype securely in place. Use a third piece of matboard cut to the size of the frame if the float mount and matboard do not provide enough pressure to hold the tintype in place.

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