How a Fine Art Photographer Found the Ideal Substrate in GATORFOAM®

Installation view of Cruise Control by Charlie Tadlock – Photos Courtesy of the Artist

For his master's thesis exhibition "Cruise Control," fine art photographer Charlie Tadlock sought a solution for evenly mounting several large-scale, 40”x 80” prints. His vision—to create a non-linear narrative mirroring the chaotic and intricate nature of American West highways—called for an unconventional display method. The project required a substrate that was not only large enough to handle the prints' proportions but also possessed the specific properties to ensure his vision was realized.

Tadlock found his solution in GATORFOAM, a uniquely differentiated foam board that offered the strength and stability he needed. "I initially experimented with standard, paper-lined foam board with a black core but determined that at the scale for which it would be used, it would not be rigid or stable enough to deliver a flat appearance," Tadlock explained.

The Challenges of a Non-Traditional Exhibition

The exhibition's design called for large-scale prints to be hung constellation style, paired with smaller, framed photographs. The goal was to create a multi-dimensional display that would highlight the complex relationship between the images. This approach presented several technical challenges:

• Uneven Walls: The exhibition space was an old building with walls that were not level and boasted prominent vertical seams. This meant the prints would be mounted to a media that could maintain a perfectly flat surface despite the irregularities of the aging structure.
• Aesthetic Requirements: The mounted prints had to look as if they were nearly flush with the wall, creating an illusion of a floating display. This demanded a thin but incredibly rigid substrate.
• Mounting and Installation: With prints measuring 40 x 80 inches, it was necessary for the material to be lightweight enough for easy handling and installation by a small team.
• Custom Fabrication:  The project's aesthetic stipulated that Tadlock be able to cut the material with a 45-degree back-bevel, allowing him to conceal the substrate.

A Clear Winner: The Superiority of GATORFOAM

Before settling on GATORFOAM, Tadlock considered several other options, including vinyl, standard paper-lined foam board and styrene sheets. Vinyl was aesthetically unacceptable due to its low print quality and inability to compensate for the wall's unevenness. Other foam boards lacked the necessary rigidity and durability for the large format, while styrene and other substrates traditionally used for signage were too heavy and difficult to work with using simple tools.

Tadlock said, "After considering cost, accessibility, thickness, strength and the ability to cut and shape it with simple shop tools, GATORFOAM was a clear winner. Its 3/16-inch gauge proved to be the perfect balance of lightness, durability and rigidity, allowing the prints to maintain their shape and integrity despite the uneven wall surface."

Seamless Mounting and Fabrication

To ensure flawless mounting, one of Tadlock’s most significant decisions was using the self-adhesive GATORFOAM. Doing so eliminated the messy and challenging process of evenly applying a distinct adhesive to the large prints. Describing the ready-to-use surface, Tadlock noted, "The adhesive was incredibly even and consistent in its application, calling for only minimal pressure to achieve complete adhesion. This characteristic was crucial for ensuring a bubble-free, flawless finish.”

The board's extraordinary rigidity also made the fabrication process simple and clean. Using a table saw with a high tooth count blade, Tadlock was able to cut the large sheets down to size and create a precise 45-degree back-bevel. "The foam edges were very nice when cut," he said. "There was no tear out on the adhesive side which was fantastic since that was the 'good side' and most likely to be visible."

For installation, Tadlock devised an ingenious, concealed mounting system. By leaving a 6-inch border of the adhesive liner on the edges of the board, he was able to drill and counterbore screw holes. The prints were then adhered over the screws, concealing the hardware and maintaining the sleek, flush-mount appearance. "The board never gave me any surprises, it consistently outperformed my expectations, and was really easy to work with," he stated.

Charlie Tadlock's “Cruise Control” demonstrates how the unique properties of the self-adhesive GATORFORM, with its strength-to-weight ratio and exceptional rigidity, made it the ideal choice for a demanding fine art application. The product's performance and ease of use allowed the artist to focus on his creative vision, resulting in a stunning and successful exhibition.

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View more work by Charlie Tadlock - https://www.charlietadlock.com/installation