The RIGHT MAT for your ART
The mat you use inside your framed artwork is more important than you might think. There are two reasons for matting art: It keeps the glass separated from your art work so it won’t stick to the glass, and it enhances your artwork. A mat gives needed space so your eye can hone in on the art and it does not get cut off in the frame, especially when you use chunky frames. Here are our recommendations:
What type of mat will protect your art/photos long-term?
You have choices, so be aware of what the mat is made of; some materials can actually damage your artwork. There are three typical types of mats you can get: paper mats, Alfa mats, or rag mats. The difference between them is the acid.
Paper mats, made of paper pulp, are the most inexpensive and used with a lot of frames that come with the mat. These mats have a lot of acid in them that causes the edges to turn brown. Eventually this can ruin the art as the acid leaks into it. You can spot a white paper mat by looking at the beveled edge where it meets the artwork. It will not look pure white.
Alpha-cellulose mats are made of wood pulp chemically treated to eliminate acids that can decay artwork.
Rag mat is a naturally acid-free mat board made from cotton. These mats have no acid, and the cut edges stay pure white forever. Rag mats, used by museums, are a popular choice for keeping artwork safe. Go for a rag or alpha mat for artwork you want to protect forever. If you are getting a mat from a professional framer, make sure it has no acid in it.
MAT COLORS
The options for mat colors are endless. Although, you can mat your works in any color of your choice, we HIGHLY recommend a crisp white mat. It will add a soft finish without overpowering your piece. The use of crisp white mats unifies a colorful gallery of framed pieces of art. The consistent band of color will also add height and width to each piece, allowing your eye to focus on each individual piece of art.
MAT SIZE
Don't skimp on the size of the mat. We recommend at least two inches of mat width work for artwork 11”x14” or smaller, creating good separation from the frame. For larger pieces, try a mat at least three inches wide. Even from far away, the large mat draws the eye toward the framed piece, and even toward a particular key element of the piece. When choosing a mat for photographs, go with a wider mat (more than three inches wide) in white or off-white for a crisp look. It will look sleek and contemporary in a gallery-like grouping. An oversize mat can give small art more presence, either by itself or in a group.
MATTING MULTI-ITEMS with Different Sizes
If you need to frame and mat different sized art, using the largest piece of art, find the right size mat and frame for it. Get enough of those frames for all the smaller art. Then get customize mats to fit the different size art for the frames (or have a professional framer do it for you).
What type of mat will protect your art/photos long-term?
You have choices, so be aware of what the mat is made of; some materials can actually damage your artwork. There are three typical types of mats you can get: paper mats, Alfa mats, or rag mats. The difference between them is the acid.
Paper mats, made of paper pulp, are the most inexpensive and used with a lot of frames that come with the mat. These mats have a lot of acid in them that causes the edges to turn brown. Eventually this can ruin the art as the acid leaks into it. You can spot a white paper mat by looking at the beveled edge where it meets the artwork. It will not look pure white.
Alpha-cellulose mats are made of wood pulp chemically treated to eliminate acids that can decay artwork.
Rag mat is a naturally acid-free mat board made from cotton. These mats have no acid, and the cut edges stay pure white forever. Rag mats, used by museums, are a popular choice for keeping artwork safe. Go for a rag or alpha mat for artwork you want to protect forever. If you are getting a mat from a professional framer, make sure it has no acid in it.
MAT COLORS
The options for mat colors are endless. Although, you can mat your works in any color of your choice, we HIGHLY recommend a crisp white mat. It will add a soft finish without overpowering your piece. The use of crisp white mats unifies a colorful gallery of framed pieces of art. The consistent band of color will also add height and width to each piece, allowing your eye to focus on each individual piece of art.
MAT SIZE
Don't skimp on the size of the mat. We recommend at least two inches of mat width work for artwork 11”x14” or smaller, creating good separation from the frame. For larger pieces, try a mat at least three inches wide. Even from far away, the large mat draws the eye toward the framed piece, and even toward a particular key element of the piece. When choosing a mat for photographs, go with a wider mat (more than three inches wide) in white or off-white for a crisp look. It will look sleek and contemporary in a gallery-like grouping. An oversize mat can give small art more presence, either by itself or in a group.
MATTING MULTI-ITEMS with Different Sizes
If you need to frame and mat different sized art, using the largest piece of art, find the right size mat and frame for it. Get enough of those frames for all the smaller art. Then get customize mats to fit the different size art for the frames (or have a professional framer do it for you).