The trouble with spray mount
For years, spray mount was simply how studios stuck things down. It works, but anyone who has used it knows the downsides. Aerosol adhesive drifts, so it lands on the desk, the floor and the next job. It needs good ventilation, and many workplaces end up investing in a spray booth to contain it. Coverage depends on the steadiness of the hand holding the can, so results vary from person to person, and the work often has to be masked off or laid on scrap paper first.
Xyron, introduced to the UK by Pluss in 1996, was designed as an environmentally safe alternative to spray mount and spray booths.
How Xyron works
Instead of spraying adhesive, Xyron applies it from a cartridge or roll. You feed the item in, turn the handle, and adhesive is transferred evenly to the back. The machine is non-electric, so there is nothing to plug in and nothing to warm up. The same machine can also apply laminate, encapsulate, or laminate and add adhesive in one pass.
Side by side
| Consideration | Spray mount | Xyron |
|---|---|---|
| How adhesive is applied | Aerosol, sprayed by hand | Transferred from a cartridge or roll by turning a handle |
| Overspray | Adhesive drifts onto surrounding surfaces | None: adhesive goes only where the item passes through |
| Ventilation | Good ventilation or a spray booth usually needed | No spray booth needed |
| Coverage | Depends on the user’s technique | Even coat across the item |
| Power | None | None: non-electric |
| Adhesive choice | Depends on the product bought | Repositionable, or permanent high tack, low tack or acid-free |
| Lamination | Not possible | Single-sided, double-sided (encapsulation) or laminate plus adhesive |
| Clean-up | Masking, scrap sheets and sticky surfaces | Minimal: nothing to clean off the bench |
What it means day to day
- A cleaner workspace. No sticky residue on desks, cutting mats or floors.
- A more pleasant environment. No aerosol in the air for colleagues to breathe.
- Consistent results. Anyone in the team can get the same even coverage.
- Less equipment. No spray booth to buy, maintain or find room for.
- More flexibility. One machine for mounting, laminating and stickers.
Choosing your Xyron
The Xyron 1250/55 handles A3 work with drop-in cartridges. The Xyron 2500 takes rolls up to A1 and media up to 4mm thick. The Xyron Creative Station covers A4 and smaller and is safe for children. To pick the right adhesive, see Xyron adhesive options and our cartridge guide.
Step-by-step advice on switching over is in our guide to mounting without spray.
Who has made the switch
Xyron suits anyone who mounts work regularly: design studios, advertising agencies, architects, exhibitions and museums, schools and picture framers.
Ready to stop spraying?
Call the team on 01252 624411 or email sales@landoruk.com for current pricing and availability.