Regular mat board is still made of wood pulp, but it’s been acid-neutralized. Regular mat board (also called paperboard). Decorative mats are the least expensive mats available, and some framers don’t even carry them because the cost difference between them and acid-free mats is negligible.
However, if you’ve purchased pre-matted artwork or have a piece that was matted a long time ago and you aren’t sure what type of matting was used, it might be worth replacing it with a non-acidic mat to be safe. It’s generally OK to use an acidic mat on inexpensive, easily replaceable pieces, like posters.
If it’s acid-free, it should still be white. One way to tell if a piece has been framed with an acidic mat is if the bevel has yellowed over time. An acidic compound in the wood pulp called lignin creates yellow and brown burn marks on the artwork. Acidic paper mats, sometimes called “decorative mats,” are made with wood pulp. (Image: Photo by Striving Artists Framing and Art Services, Courtesy of Houzz) It would probably read as too poster-ish.īesides highlighting the artwork, a mat also physically distances and prevents the artwork from sticking to the glass. The piece shown here wouldn’t look nearly as elegant and finished if it were framed without the mat. After all, making your piece look its best is one of the goals of framing in the first place. Similar to how hair bangs can frame a face and highlight facial features, a mat helps highlight artwork by separating it from the frame and drawing attention to the artwork.Ī mat isn’t necessary, but most artworks on paper -such as photographs, drawings and watercolors-look best when there’s a border between the edge of the artwork and the frame. (Image: Photo by Toby Scott, Design by Claire Stevens Interior Design, Courtesy of Houzz)īrowse Frames by Size, Shape and Style Mats This guide can get you in the right frame of mind to make educated choices. Conservation, acidity, and UV- and infrared-blocking capabilities come into the mix too. Aside from the different colors and finishes, you’ve got to consider scale, the design of the piece and whether to use a mat or two - or three. Need to custom-frame some artwork but feel overwhelmed by all the choices? You’re not alone.
April 13, 2017Posted by Karen Egly-Thompson, Houzz
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