How to Use Stamp Mounts

Stamp mounts are made of a lightweight plastic that is clear on the front, and usually black on the back so that the face of the stamp will be seen through the mount and the black background will highlight the stamp's perforations. Essentially, a mount it is a small envelope or packet that holds a stamp in place.

Many mounts have a split in the middle of the backing that makes it easy to insert the stamp. Others are manufactured so that the stamp slides into the mount from one side.

The mount has a moisture-activated coating on the back that holds it to the album page when moistened. Lightly moisten the backing along one edge, usually the top. Do not use a lot of moisture when attaching the stamp mount to the page since this may cause the page to lose its body strength. The moisture does not affect the stamp since the stamp is safely encased in the mount. It is important to take care that the moisture does not enter into the mount where it may damage the stamp.

The stamp mount also permits the stamp to be removed easily for examination and then returned to the mount. The mount always remains in place as the individual stamp is inspected.

Stamp mounts are available in many precut sizes to fit single stamps, coils or full panes. It is advisable to use the mount that is slightly larger than the stamp so that the perforations are not bent.

Some stamp album manufacturers make albums and supplement pages with the mounts already affixed on the page. The page already has an exact size stamp mount already affixed to the correct location for each stamp. These are usually advertised as hingeless pages.

Most album manufacturers recommend that stamp mounts be used on only one side of the page, since they can snag on one another when the album is closed. When the time comes to remove the mounts, first take the stamp out of the mount, and then use a letter opener or dull knife between the page and the mount.

Today, many collectors want their stamps saved without any trace of a hinge remnant or mark. This is one of the reasons why stamp mounts have become so popular.