...trim your artwork before mounting.

...mount your work on illustration board, foam core, or other professional products.

...use an metal straight-edge cutting guide/ruler.

...use a spray mount adhesive.

...use an exacto knife to trim your illustration board.

...use multiple slow strokes to cut thick board. "Inch your way down" to penetrate the full depth of the board.

...go outside to use spray adhesives.

...spray the back of the artwork with adhesive.

...spray an even coat back and forth, making sure to overspray the edges of the artwork.

...wait until the glue feels tacky before you lay your artwork down.

...spread your artwork onto the board starting from the middle and flattening it out toward the edges.

DONT...

... leave ragged edges, crooked edges, or randomly sized white margins around your artwork.

... mount your work on poster board, cardboard, construction paper, or other flimsy substitute.

... use another piece of illustration board as a cutting guide.

... use Quick ‘n Tacky Glue, Elmer’s glue or other watery products that will be absorbed into the paper.

... use scissors or an inadequate paper cutter to cut your illustration board.

... use a single stroke to cut thick board or attempt to penetrate the full depth all at once.

... spray glues inside.

... spray the illustration board with adhesive.

... spray in "spurts" or attempt to keep adhesive inside the edges of the artwork. This will result in unglued edges and air pockets.

... lay wet glue down. It won’t stick for long.

..."pat" your artwork down or spread it from one side to another. Air pockets will form and work may not stick for long.