The Right Mat for Your Artwork
Don't skimp on mat size and material to display and protect your framed artwork well
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 some more tips:
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 some more tips:
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.
Don't skimp on the size of the mat. I think 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.
Layered mats create an interesting look for black-and-white art, too. Tie in the bottom mat color with the frame color (black if using a black frame, gray or silver if using a silver frame, etc.), then use a nice light neutral on top for a clean, contemporary feel.
Although white is the most common mat color, try other neutrals in the taupe and gray families as well. It will add a soft finish without overpowering your piece. The taupe color works especially well with gold frames, and the gray colors are nice complements to silver frame finishes.
Do you have different sized art but want them to fit in the same size of frame? No problem! 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 you want to hang. Then at a professional framing shop, get the framer to customize mats to fit the artwork in your frames.
I have worked with professional framers who recommend staying away from mats that are brighter or darker than your artwork. When I want to add color to my mat, I use multiple mats, using my dark or bold color on the first layer so just a little complementary color shows through.
Choose your mat color based on what will best complement the artwork — not the space you are hanging it. Notice how the mat color is different on the largest artwork in this photo, yet it suits it perfectly and adds character to the arrangement.
If going above a large piece of furniture, balance the piece by using a wider mat. The piece of artwork becomes large, in charge, and dramatic with just a crisp white frame.
If you have a great deal of photos or art to hang, you can save money by reusing frames you may already have, or buying readymade frames from your local frame shop or art supply store. Then have a professional framer switch out the paper mat to an acid-free rag mat.
More:
How to Arrange Artwork in an Artful Way
More:
How to Arrange Artwork in an Artful Way
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.
A 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.