Umounted photo vs mounted photo?

Question

I am entering a photo competition "approved by the "photographic society of america (PSA).

In the rules it states that the photos must be "unmounted" does that mean "not on a matting?" I understand that "no frame" can be added,

In the photojournalism competition, it allows for mounted photos....

what is the difference?

thefair.com is the location of the rules. it is the "puyallup fair" northwest international exhibition of photography.

please advise

Answer 1

Unmounted usually means that the photo is not glued/sprayed to anything, not even matting.  It sounds like they just want the photo, printed nicely and delivered with no bends or creases (or fingerprints!).