You've chosen what you are going to frame and you have an idea of what kind of frame you want. Now you are asking yourself....
Do I need a mat and why?
Generally speaking, yes you need a mat. If you are framing any art on paper, such as watercolors, posters, photographs, newsprint, certificates, etc. a mat is a key element in the final presentation. Mats can also be used in collectable framing and shadowboxes, but never with oil paintings, acrylic paintings or other art on canvas.
Presentation
Visually, mats create a buffer between the art and the rest of the surrounding environment. Mats can be used to highlight a color, accent a shape, or increase the size of the art.
Protection
The most important aspect of the mat is the protection it provides. It, in combination with the backing, helps support the art. It allows the art to "breath" by providing space for air to circulate within the frame dissipating any moisture that may condense within the frame. Mats also keep the art away from the glass preventing the art for sticking to the glass.
Types of Mats
There are two basic types of mats, Archival and non-archival. The difference is very important when it comes to preserving your valued items. Archival mat board is acid free. It is engineered and manufactured to not cause any harm to the materials it touches. Non-archival mat board, while being less expensive, contains chemicals that over time will damage the materials it touches and will discolor. Your design consultant will work with you to not only choose the right mat for your project, but also to choose the right color from the hundreds of colors available.
Styles of Mat Treatments
Besides the hundreds of colors available, mats also come with different textures and finishes. Mats can be layered to add to the overall presentation of your project. Usually single, double or triple mats are used to enhance the presentation or to highlight specific colors in the project, but there really is not limit to the number of mats you can use. Your design consultant can assist you in determining what will work for your project.
You can also add addition enhancements and decorations to the mat. Among these are step cut corners, oval windows, splices, inlays, v-grooves, pen lines and french mats. Keep in mind that all of these different treatments are available to enhance the presentation and not to draw the viewer's eye away from the main focus of the project, the item being framed. Although it may seem like a lot to sort through, our design consultant will guide you every step of the way to create a finished project you will be proud to hang in your home. We guarantee it.
This completes step three of the process. Go to the next step for info on Glass and Glazing. You can also go back to choose your Art, or to learn about Frames.
