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Click on one of the tips below or choose another link category from the menu on the left.
If you'd like to submit a tip for inclusion in our Tips & Tricks list, click on the submit button below.
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Think mats are only cosmetic? Let's take a closer look at why mats are an important part of your frame design.
Essential Qualities of the Mat
- Mats enhance and have the ability to change the way people look at and respond to art. A mat can make a small picture seem more impressive, a dark image look lighter, or even transform an everyday postcard into an attractive tour de force. It's possible! Use mats to bring out a particular color in the artwork, or match to your personal décor.
- Not all mats are created equal. Choose an acid-free mat. There is acid present in cardboard and other papers used for matting that cause “leeching” – this means that your valuable artwork will draw the acid out, causing it to turn yellow. The best choice is a high quality acid-free mat, and it just so happens that pictureframes.com only carries exceptional custom-cut and pre-cut acid-free mat board, as well as conservation quality rag mats that are 100% cotton.
- Mats separate artwork from the glazing (the glass or acrylic). The surface of your artwork can be compromised if it is pressed directly on the glazing, which is there to protect your art. Ever tried to peel a cherished photograph away from the glazing after it got stuck? It almost always ends up in heartache. And, over time, static electricity from glazing that comes too close to a pastel can actually pull the pigment right out!
Width Is Key
Mat width could quite possibly be the most important element in your frame design, as well as one of the most misunderstood. Choosing the best width for your mats depends on two things: the size of your image and the size of the focal point within the image.
- Wider mats make any work of art look even more impressive.
This is because wide mats emphasize the art in a dramatic way, creating a highly professional presentation like those you'd see in any gallery. On small pieces of art, wide mats lend the perception of value and importance. On large pieces of art, wide mats maintain balance with the size of your chosen frame, as well as keep everything proportional. Professionals today suggest mats be twice as wide as the width of your frame (e.g. if you're working with a frame that's 3 ½” wide, a mat with 7” borders will look spectacular).
- If you're double matting, the “twice as wide” rule from above only applies to the top mat.
Avoid “striping,” an eyesore caused when double mats are the same width (or worse, the same width as the frame!). Just make the “reveal,” or the part of the inner mat nearest to the artwork, smaller. Another tip when layering mats – don't overdo it. Too many mats and a busy image could make your piece an overachiever. That's why pictureframes.com only offers single or double matting at this time in its interactive shops – Personal Frame Shop and Print & Frame.
- Consider “weighting” your mat by distributing the mat size.
 Professional framers understand that sometimes, artwork needs a lift. If you are framing an extra large or very long piece, or if the focal point of the piece happens to be near the bottom, consider “weighting” your mat by opting for a wider border across the bottom. In other words, select a mat that's a little wider on the bottom than on the top and sides. This gives a feeling of support for the heavy piece, makes it more balanced and easier on the eyes. Another way that you can apply this technique is when you are hanging two pieces of the same size next to each other on the wall. Simply have the mats cut smaller on the inner sides, so the pieces feel connected when hung together. The wider you weight your mats, the more dramatic – and the narrower, the more subtle.
Color Can Make It or Break It
- Light, Dark & Neutral:
 Different colors alter the look of your image in different ways. For example, dark mats pop on light walls, and light mats pop on dark walls – dark mats will control your piece, while light mats will amplify it. When putting your frame design together in Print & Frame or Personal Frame Shop, use the “Wall Color” tool to help you see the difference.
According to pictureframes.com customer and tip-submitter, Howard, “Light colored mats seem to open up the picture and make it seem larger and your perception more “open” or outward. Dark colored mats seem to turn you eye inward, making the picture seem smaller and you perceive a more “tunneling” effect.”
Black and white images look fabulous with an off-white outer mat and black inner mat or our Arctic White w/Black Core built in. Neutral colors, like whites and blacks, are always great choices. Not only do they step back and allow the colors in the art to remain the star of the show, but they fit right into any room, whether your taste in decorating leans toward French Colonial or 70's Glam.
- Color Matching:
You want your art to fit with your decor, but should your mat complement the wall color or the artwork? Both are important, but if you have to make this decision, don't flip a coin – match the mat to the artwork first. And when choosing mat colors, go no lighter than the lightest color within your art, no darker than the darkest and no brighter than the brightest. After all, you don't want your mats to outshine your art.
- One Mat:
If you choose to use one mat, we suggest using a neutral color. This can stretch from Off White to Olde Gray. Any neutral tone will enhance your art, but some will stand out and scream, “Pick me! Pick me!” so play with a few before simply going with White.
- Double Mat:
If you plan on double matting, one way to go is to use a neutral color on top. And, for the “reveal,” (the inner mat closest to your artwork) punch up the color by matching the mat to a dominant color in the artwork. This high-contrast treatment will add new dimension to your presentation.
You can also try something monochromatic. Keeping all your mats the same color, will softens the eye's transition across the layers incredibly well. Steer clear of color transitions that are too extreme. For example, choosing an inner layer of red with a face mat of marine blue surrounding a mostly purple work of art? wow! Of course, that might be your thing, so don't let us stop you, just don't claim that we didn't warn you.
The key to all of this is really just to have fun. Our “rules” can be great guidelines, but no rule is ever going to make you happier than what your own imagination can come up with. Spend some time getting to know your art, its color range and intensity – after all, you're about to make it an invited guest in your space. There are endless ways to mat your piece, so play with colors, widths, and layers to add warmth and interest. In the end, your piece will be a more personal reflection of you, sure to bring a smile to your face every time you see it.
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You may have noticed that we offer two kinds of backing board on our website – FoamCore and Corrugated. It's not because we're simply feeling whimsical. It's not even because we think it's nice to offer you a choice (which, of course, we do). There are actually very good reasons why FoamCore is the right choice at some times and Corrugated is the way to go for others.
Worth The Price For What's Priceless
While FoamCore is more expensive than Corrugated backing, it does have certain advantages. For one thing, it's been buffered to slow down the deterioration caused by acid and lignans, so if preservation and protection of your artwork is one of your highest priorities, then it's well worth the price. So, whether you're framing original artwork that Junior whipped up in 1st grade, valuable collector prints, limited editions, treasured family photographs like the ones from your Great-Grandmother’s wedding, documents with historical value, or important family documents, then FoamCore is the way to go.
Light Vs. Dark
Additionally, because FoamCore is white, it's great backing for art that has any degree of translucence. Items like a collage on rice paper or an animation cell will be better served by FoamCore, than brown Corrugated backing, that will darken and detract from your art.
Keeping It Clean
FoamCore’s also a great timesaver. Its finished appearance means that it can serve as its own dust cover, without any extra effort on your part.
The Upside Of Impermanence
On the flip side, Corrugated backing is great for anything that's not as precious. A professional license that gets updated every year or two, doesn't need FoamCore, because it's simply not intended to be a permanent framing job. And Corrugated backing is the perfect compliment to an item like a commercially produced poster; poster paper is heavy enough that the dark color of the backing won't compromise your art. And, if you're looking to keep costs down, then working with Corrugated backing is an added bonus.
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While your child may create art with some
of the least expensive and durable materials, it is often this work
that becomes the most priceless. With its mix of inexpensive papers
and media like newsprint, construction paper, crayons, and tempera
paint, children's art tends to deteriorate quickly, flake apart, and
warp. Left unprotected children's art does not last much longer than
childhood itself. Therefore, it takes special care and materials to
preserve it.
Luckily, with pictureframes.com's "Peel,
Press, and Mount" and custom framing kits, you can easily
and confidently mount, frame, and display your child's artwork while
protecting it for years to come. The poor quality paper needs to be
mounted to support the media as well as keep the paper from becoming
brittle and breaking. With "Peel, Press,
and Mount" it's that simple: Peel back the release
paper to expose the adhesive, Press down the art, and it's
Mounted, ready for matting and framing! There is no heat or
wet paste involved that may damage the heat- and water sensitive materials.
Choose a size of 'Peel, Press, and Mount'
Make sure to select a board larger than the artwork to assure
proper placement; the board can be trimmed after the mount is secure.
"Peel, Press, and Mount" works
easily with the paper and allows repositioning. Furthermore, after
you have mounted the art, don't forget to smooth out the bubbles.
Select a framing kit with your choice of mat
Both paints and crayons, with their tendency to stick, should
be matted to keep them away from the glass. When ordering a frame
pictureframes.com can customize a framing kit to your specifications
and standard sized framing kits can be ordered separately on our framing
kits page.
Simply slip your mounted artwork into your
pictureframes.com framing kit. Everything you need is right there.
In short, "Peel, Press, and Mount" and a pictureframes.com framing kit are not only the perfect way to easily and assuredly protect your child's art, but also display it for generations to come. But don't just limit "Peel, Press and Mount" to children's art, it can be used with just about any art that requires a little more protection and support, for kids aged from 1 to 101.
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Most foamboard found on store shelves is generally 3/16 inches wide. With a smaller area provided to work with, you can go to your favorite framing store and purchase 1/8 inch foamboard, which allows the variance without having your foamboard sticking above the back of your frame.
Another hint: if your foamboard sticks out, instead of framing points you can use a metal tension bar approximately 2" long and 1/4" wide. One end is bent to put pressure on the foamboard, the other has a hole to screw the bar into your frame. Use one per side for small frames, or add more for larger frames. Use framers tape seal the back area, frame and foamboard. This adds stability and helps protect your images within.
Submitted by PictureFrames.com customer Mary Lee
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Don't be hesitant about cropping artwork with the mat. Many times pictures are more interesting when a small part of the total picture is hidden from view, allowing the viewer to imagine what lies beyond.
Be sure to get your clients OK before you take too much license, but if it's your own artwork, have fun with this!
For artists who may have given up on a painting, don't. I have discovered some of the most wonderful "small prints" by just using the best part of my watercolor paintings (sometimes it's just only 25% of the original painting) and created some great gifts for friends. That's where the advantage of creating custom size pictures and mats comes in handy.
Submitted by PictureFrames.com customer K. Duffy
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