A Professional, Ready-to-Hang Presentation For Works on Paper You Can Do Yourself

Works on paper are traditionally framed behind glass because paper is delicate, susceptible to moisture and humidity, and vulnerable to sunlight. But what if you could avoid all of that, without the glass and the glare that comes with it?

You can. Mounting the painting to a wood panel allows the work to be framed more like a painting on canvas, while still protecting the surface. It becomes ready-to-hang just as it is, or a decorative frame can be added. As an artist, it’s something you can do yourself and is often more affordable than having the work professionally framed behind glass.

“Mount Paper to Panel” is where your presentation goes from flat to finished.

Mounting and framing my original paintings this way seems to always pique curiosity and draw people in, and has become a clean, polished presentation that collectors and designers often ask about.

Mounting paper to a panel is an involved process that requires planning and precision. The wood must be properly prepped and sealed. The adhesive must be archival and meant for mounting. Edges must be flush. And what you choose to protect the painting with must be based on the medium you used.

Mounting may seem straightforward, but when your work is being collected or specified for interiors, it has to hold up over time. I’ve seen other artists share their mounting process, but they miss key steps that will lead to issues like yellowing and instability that show up years later. This process is designed to protect your work (and your reputation) with an archival, durable, and professional finish.

$197 — Buy Course

Who This Is For

This course is for artists who:

Make and sell original works on paper
Work on heavyweight, uncoated fine art paper (300 gsm / 140 lb minimum)
Use watercolor, ink, acrylic, gouache, spray paint, charcoal, pastel, graphite, or mixed media on paper
Want a unique look that stands out
Want to offer a glass-free framing option
Want to reduce framing costs
Want their work to have a professional, clean look
Care about longevity and protection
Care about craftsmanship and are willing to put effort in

What Changes

After this process:

Your work becomes a finished object, not just a sheet of paper
You can offer a glass-free presentation option
Your panels are properly sealed, preventing yellowing
Your edges are clean and flush
Your artwork’s surface is protected
You know how to prevent and fix air bubbles
You have more control over the framing costs
You expand what you can offer collectors, designers and gallerists
Your work will be ready to hang
You control the final presentation

What’s Included

My complete mounting process, the exact method I use for finished paintings on paper
A method you can rely on for work on paper of any size
Education on properly prepping, mounting, and sealing your painting based on the medium you used
How to prevent and remove air bubbles
Different methods with examples of how to seal the painting
How to add a frame to the panel (if desired)
How to install hanging hardware
How I personalize my finished pieces
Step-by-step video modules you can follow at your own pace
Troubleshooting guidance for common issues
PDF download of supply list, helpful tips, troubleshooting guidance, and questions to consider
Immediate, unlimited access to the course

This technique is not meant for finished collaged works or thin paper like sketchbook paper.

This is a highly detailed, in-depth professional finishing process for serious artists. If you’re looking for a quick class or are more of a hobbyist, this may not be for you. This is the same mounting process I use for collectors, commissions, interior designers, art consultants, and professional projects.

What Other Artists Are Saying

★★★★★

Kim’s course has been an incredible insight into mounting paper works on panels. Her delivery is welcoming and honest and the time spent explaining the details of each process has provided me with a lot of key information on how to frame artwork to a professional standard. I would not have been able to source such specific details any where else. Thanks Kim! This has changed the way I see my own works on paper being professionally mounted.

— Natalie Morawski

★★★★★

One thing I have personally always struggled with in my art practice is the finishing process. Before this course, I would have never attempted such a thing. It’s been really cool to experiment, especially because I layer my paintings with fabric and paper and mixed media and the techniques still work. I’ve already got one painting mounted to the wood and it really does elevate the look of the piece. It was a bit of a messy painting and now it looks so polished!

— Adrianne Hawthorne Thomas of Ponnopozz

★★★★★

This course is such a gem! Absolutely packed with tips and insights gained from Kim's considerable experience and expertise, the course gave me all the tools I need to elevate the presentation of my works on paper. I'm so grateful to grow my toolbox with these skills!

— Lex Macnab

Mount Paper to Panel
Online Course

Join today to get access to my complete mounting process, the exact method I use for collectors, commissions, interior designers, art consultants, and professional projects.

$197 — Buy Course

Meet The Artist
Kim Knoll

Hi! I’m Kim Knoll, a professional abstract painter living in the heart of Chicago, with my studio in Humboldt Park. I have 10 years of experience making paintings on paper for collectors, art consultants, interior designers, and high-end hospitality and retail brands.

When you create works on paper, your presentation becomes part of the artwork itself. Traditional framing behind glass can be expensive, prone to breakage during shipping, create distracting glares, and make it harder for your work to stand out in an already saturated market. That's why I began mounting my finished paintings on paper directly onto cradled wood panels, as a professional, unique, and affordable alternative that I can do myself. Over the years, I refined this process into my own mounting method that I'm now sharing with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

You don’t need prior mounting experience to take this course. Whether you’re new to mounting or looking to refine your process, this course is taught in a way that’s easy to follow and understand. Just know that this course is very in-depth and wouldn’t be considered casual education or a quick class. It’s meant for serious artists looking to build professional skills and are willing to invest time and effort into learning the process to do it correctly. If you are more of a hobbyist, this course may not be for you.

Yes. If your paper is buckled, warped or wavy, you’ll need to flatten it prior to mounting. That's why I made the Flatten Works on Paper online course, so you have all the info you need. If you’re in need of both courses, consider getting the Bundle which includes both courses at a discount. If your paper is rolled from being in a tube or on a roll and you want to flatten it, watch my YouTube video on how to flatten rolled paper.

The mounting process is meant for heavyweight, uncoated fine art papers that are a minimum weight of 300 gsm (140 lb), like watercolor paper and mixed media paper. The example used in the course is on Arches 356 gsm (156 lb) watercolor paper.

The sealing methods in this course will work with:

• Watercolor
• Ink
• Acrylic
• Gouache
• Spray Paint
• Charcoal
• Pastel
• Mixed media

This technique is not meant for finished collaged works or thin paper like sketchbook paper.

Yes, all the materials I use in the course and recommend are artist-grade, professional, and archival.

When done correctly on heavyweight, uncoated fine art papers that are a minimum weight of 300 gsm (140 lb), the process is safe and should not damage your artwork. I always recommend practicing on test sheets first, before applying any new techniques or mediums to your final painting.

Yes! In fact, the painting I'm using as an example in the course is 52 x 38" to show you how it can be done, and by yourself. The process is scalable and works for paper of any size.

No special equipment is needed, but there is a list of supplies you'll need to complete the process that you can find at most art stores or online. I provide you with a supply list and the direct links to get them online from Blick Art Materials and Amazon.

The online course is 2 hours and 32 minutes long. The process itself takes 5-12 days, depending on the materials you choose and cure times.

The course is taught in English and includes English subtitles for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The course is pre-recorded and designed to go at your own pace. Each step of the process is in its own video module so it's easy to remember where you left off. Having the steps separated also allows you to easily skip to the parts you want to see again. Sharing this process live isn't an option since there are long cure times involved.

You'll have unlimited access to the course once you sign up so you can revisit the lessons at any time.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the process. You can ask them as a comment inside the video lesson or you can email me directly. My email will be shared with you once you join the course.

More Courses

Online Course Bundle:

Learn How To
Flatten Works on Paper & Mount Paper to Panel

The complete system for turning your works on paper from buckled to beautiful. In 3 hours, you'll learn the techniques to flatten and mount works on paper to wood panels that took me 5 years to perfect. Take all the guesswork out of fixing buckling and warping, and watch step by step how to prep, mount and seal your paper works on panels.

$227 — Buy Courses Learn More

Online Course:

Learn How To
Flatten Works on Paper

End the cycle of frustration and guesswork with my proven method for getting all of the buckling and warping out of finished paintings on paper, every time, so they're ready for mounting or framing. This simple technique can also be used to stretch the paper before you paint.

$67 — Buy Course Learn More