Mounting Board
What is Mounting Board?
Mounting board is a thick, rigid board made from compressed layers of paper or card. It is commonly used for presentation work, mounting drawings, display boards, and model making.
In Product Design, mounting board is valued for its stiffness, clean edges, and professional appearance.
Structure and Composition
Mounting board is a laminated paper‑based material made from:
- Multiple layers of paper or card
- Adhesive used to bond layers together
Key structural features: - Thick and rigid - Smooth outer surfaces - Uniform density - Often white or cream on the surface with a coloured core
Its layered construction gives it greater stiffness than standard card.
Manufacturing Process
- Paper and card layers are produced from wood pulp
- Adhesive is applied between layers
- Layers are pressed together under pressure
- Boards are dried and trimmed to size
- Surfaces may be finished or coloured
Mounting board is produced in large sheets and various thicknesses.
Key Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Thick |
| Rigidity | High |
| Weight | Medium |
| Surface Finish | Smooth |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Moisture Resistance | Poor |
Advantages
- Very rigid and flat
- Professional appearance
- Clean, sharp edges when cut correctly
- Suitable for mounting work
- Easy to cut with a craft knife
- Widely available
Disadvantages
- Can be heavy compared to foam board
- Poor moisture resistance
- Can delaminate if damaged
- More expensive than card
- Limited structural strength for load‑bearing use
Typical Uses
Mounting board is commonly used for:
- Mounting design work
- Presentation boards
- Display work
- Scale models
- Backboards for drawings
In A Level Product Design, it is often used for final presentation and modelling.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Advantages
- Made from renewable paper fibres
- Often recyclable
- Long lifespan for presentation work
Disadvantages
- Uses significant material per sheet
- Adhesives can limit recyclability
- Often single‑use in education
Improvements
- Recycled paper content
- FSC‑certified sources
- Reuse of boards where possible
Health and Safety Considerations
- Very low risk material
- Risk of paper cuts
- Care needed when cutting:
- Use sharp craft knives
- Use cutting mats
- Safe for classroom use
Mounting Board Compared to Other Boards
| Material | Rigidity | Weight | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounting Board | High | Medium | Presentation |
| Foam Board | Medium | Very Low | Modelling |
| Card | Medium | Low | Modelling |
| Corrugated Board | Medium | Low | Packaging |
Suitability for Product Design
Mounting board is suitable when: - Producing presentation work - Mounting drawings or printed pages - Creating rigid display boards - A clean, professional finish is required
Mounting board is not suitable when: - Lightweight models are required - Moisture resistance is needed - Structural strength is essential - Long‑term outdoor use is required
Exam Tips (A Level)
- Identify mounting board as a laminated paper‑based board
- Link rigidity to presentation quality
- Compare it with foam board and card
- Mention its use in final presentation
- Discuss sustainability briefly where relevant
Key Keywords
- Mounting board
- Laminated board
- Presentation material
- Rigidity
- Paper‑based
- Display
- Model making
Overall Summary
Mounting board is a thick, rigid, paper‑based board made from laminated layers of paper or card. It is widely used in presentation work, mounting drawings, and display models due to its stiffness and professional appearance. Although heavier and less versatile than foam board, its flatness and rigidity make it ideal for high‑quality visual outcomes. In A Level Product Design, mounting board should be evaluated in terms of its structure, properties, sustainability, health and safety, and suitability for presentation rather than functional products.