Our Process of Mounting Asian Artwork

How we make traditional wall scrolls and portraits out of paintings on xuan paper.

This page got a little out of date (written in 2007). So we made a new video in August 2013:

This video is a lot better than the still images below. And we've moved to be bigger shop, and upgraded a lot of equipment since then.

The Beijing Subway station near our workshop in Tong Zhou

This is the Guo Yuan Subway station in an area known as Tong Zhou (on the outskirts of Beijing).
Our workshop is in a semi-secret location within walking distance this newly-built stop on the Beijing Subway system.



Other helpful and related links:

Information About Hanging Your Wall Scrolls

General Information About Framing Asian Art

A Step-by-Step Guide to Framing Asian Artwork


Loading the Asian artwork press spacer Pressing raw xuan paper art

The raw artwork on xuan paper (which is just thicker than tissue paper) is given an initial pressing in our large artwork heat press. The artwork is lightly sprayed with a mist of water to give some steaming effect. This takes out any wrinkles or creases from the artwork.

Pressing xuan paper artwork

We can only afford one of these heat presses, so it stays at work constantly, all day long.


Adding a backing of more xuan paper to the artwork

A layer of xuan paper is added to the back of the raw artwork to thicken it up and give it body. Temperature-resistant plastic sheeting is used to protect the artwork. The irons do not make physical contact with the artwork at this point.

Two pieces of artwork having a xuan paper backing added

When artwork is around 33cm or less in width, we can mount two pieces of artwork to the same sheet. This increases efficiency for the future pressing processes (as both can be put in the press at the same time) and reduces waste. The pieces are later cut apart before the silk brocade is added.

Bonding/Mounting Asian artwork to more sheets of xuan paper (rice paper)

Adding the xuan paper backing to two large portraits (they will be separated later).
Note again that the artwork is protected with a sheet of heat-resistant plastic.

The boss man (Gary) watching over the work

Large pieces fit on just one sheet of xuan paper backing.

Ironing the back after adding silk and keyline tape

Some keyline tape is added along with strips of silk brocade. Then we bond a larger sheet of stronger xuan paper to the back of the whole artwork piece.

Taking care of any problem areas

Xiao Li, our master mounter takes a close look at the work. He will give special attention to any bubbles or problems in the paper lamination at this stage.


Light ironing on the front side

Some light ironing is done on the front side. This is the only time that the irons make contact with the artwork face.

Little scraps of xuan paper cover the red signature stamps, as the clay and oil-based red ink can transfer when heated. This protects against smears and transfer of the red color.

Adding some keyline tape to the edges of the wall scroll

We make our own keyline tape using some special brown-dyed xuan paper and heat-activated adhesive. After trimming the edges of the wall scroll body, some of this tape is applied to bind the edge and optically "frame" the artwork. This tape is wrapped around the edge from the face to the back of the wall scroll.

Adding keyline to a Chinese portrait mount

When we are mounting portraits instead of wall scrolls, some keyline tape is applied to the top and bottom edge as well.

Keyline on long portraits

The only difference between a wall scroll and portrait mount is the hardware at the top and bottom (or the sides in the case of a horizontal wall scroll).

Here we see a wide calligraphy portrait with white silk, and a tall calligraphy portrait with gold silk being prepared.


Heat pressing wall scroll

With the edges trimmed and keyline tape applied, wall scrolls go through our big flat heat-press once more.

Since no hardware is added to portraits, this is the final step when doing portrait mounting.

Cutting wooden wall scroll rollers

Meanwhile, wooden wall scroll rollers are being cut and prepared. We use these solid wood rollers with polished hardwood knobs on special projects (such as artwork by our master calligrapher). We use lighter cardboard tubes with solid wood knobs for most artwork. The appearance between the wooden rollers and cardboard tubes is rarely-noticed by novice observers. However, the cost difference is about $20 when you count materials, extra labor, and shipping costs (due to heavier weight) of the solid wood version.

Preparing wall scroll rollers

As the knobs are fitted on the wall scroll roller, some paper keyline tape is applied to the edges of the roller. This hides any rough edges in the finished product.

Preparing to add the wooden wall scroll roller

Preparing to add the wall scroll roller to the bottom.
At this point, the bottom of the wall scroll body opens like a flap. Part of it wraps around the front, and the other around the back.

Some check-fitting is require to make sure the width is exactly correct. Tolerance is about 1mm, and every wall scroll is different (due to the handmade nature of both the artwork and the wall scrolls themselves).

Adhesive is added to the roller and it is placed in the body of the wall scroll.

Some strips of adhesive are added to the wall scroll, and the roller is placed within the body of the wall scroll materials.

Keyline on the bottom of the wall scroll roller

Where the front and back flaps of the wall scroll meet, a piece of paper keyline tape is ironed on to conceal the seam.

Finishing the wall scroll roller installation

The bottom of the wall scroll roller will probably never be seen by anyone, but we still make sure the seam looks good, and the roller is securely attached.
Attention to detail is important!

Preparing to install the top frame of the wall scroll

Much like the bottom, the top of the wall scroll body opens with a front and rear flap.

The wooden top frame pieces are cut special to match the width of each wall scroll. The ends of the top frame are sealed and covered with brown paper (the same stuff that we cut into strips to make our keyline tape). This ensures that you will never see a rough or unfinished end of the wood frame.


Adding the top frame to the wall scroll

Strips of adhesive are used to bond the body of the wall scroll to the wooden top frame.

Finishing the installation of the wooden top frame

The front and back flaps wrap around the wooden top frame. Then a piece of keyline tape conceals the seam at the very top.

Preparing to add the ribbon to a wall scroll

Some brass eyelets are screwed into the wooden top frame of the wall scroll. Then some nylon ribbon is threaded through the eyelets to make a hanging harness of sorts. For larger scrolls, four eyelets are used, and the rigging and knots look more they're something from a sailing ship.

They don't have Boy Scouts in China, but we have to tie knots like we were Eagle Scouts.

You must carefully tie the ribbon

Notes on ribbon: We once tried to use silk ribbon, but the quality varied too much, and it was difficult to work with. We switched back to nylon ribbon that looks like silk.

I've also seen some scrolls that use a type of nylon cord (especially scrolls made in Japan). We just use the nylon ribbon, which gives a traditional Chinese look (using a modern material).

A finished wall scroll

Once wall scrolls are finished, Sandy or I give them a quick inspection, and they are packed for shipment to our gallery in the USA (some custom scrolls are dispatched via air mail direct from Beijing to our non-USA customers).

Here is the Guan Gong Scroll safely in the USA and ready for sale

Another finished example. This is the largest size that we generally handle. It's about 2 meters (79") long, and about 83cm (33") wide at the wooden knobs.

Note: This Guan Gong Warrior Wall Scroll is really big - in fact, too big to send via air mail. Therefore, I end up flying back and forth to and from the USA to hand carry such large artwork out of China.

Here is the ready-to-frame Asian watercolor painting

This is what a portrait looks like after mounting.
When you buy a portrait, it arrives like this, ready to frame yourself.
Or better yet, take to your favorite professional framer to complete the presentation.