Matboards: The Intentional Space between Art and Frame
Have you ever wondered about the blank space between a piece of art and the frame that surrounds it? Is it simply a design choice or a method of preserving the art? The answer is both! This area is occupied by a matboard, a special layer that is more meaningful than you’d think.
Why Mats?
Mats have historically been used in custom framing to visually give the eye space to rest between the art and frame. Over the years, they have become a way to complement the art and add to the overall aesthetic of the piece. They can also protect the art from a wood frame’s acidity and act as a buffer for moisture between the art and the glazing.
Matboards are a great way to differentiate your design and to protect your artwork. From a vast array of colors and textures to custom cuts and layers, we are going to explore how mats can bring your next project to life!
Types of Matboards:
There are 3 categories of matboards, each with their own purpose.
- Paper Mats: These mats are made from wood pulp and therefore are a non-archival, inexpensive mat option, perfect for large volume or hospitality projects where conservation is not needed. Paper mats naturally have a cream core which will turn brown over time.You’ve likely seen these on framed prints from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Today’s paper mats are available with a bleached white core so they mimic the look of acid-free mats while maintaining lower costs.
- Acid-Free Mats: These mats are made from wood pulp but are lignin-free and have been buffered with calcium carbonate to create a neutral or slightly alkaline pH level. This material prevents “acid burn” which discolors the artwork. These mats are not 100% archival but are suitable for non-valuable artwork where longevity is desired. Conveniently, this category of mats offers the largest selection of color, fabrics and textures. It is the industry go-to for most projects.
- 100% Cotton Rag Mats: These archival mats are made from 100% cotton, so they are naturally acid-free and are the highest level of conservation within the mat categories. Museums and high-end galleries, where conservation is required, will often use rag mats. They are the only mats that are available in larger sizes, up to 60” x 104”.
8ply Mats
While most mats are 4-ply, about 1/16” thick, select colors are available in 8-ply, which are approximately 1/8” thick. This creates a deeper bevel when cut and can instantly elevate your design, adding depth and visual interest.
4-ply
8-ply
Specialty Mats
When it comes to specialty mats, the options are endless! From custom cuts to prints and textures, these mats will provide dimension to your frame design and can even become part of the art itself.
Fabric Mats
One type of specialty mat is the fabric mat. There is a wide selection of fabric mats available including suede, linen, silk, leather, jute, burlap and metallic woven textures. Fabric mats are ideal for use in shadowboxes or anytime you’re framing textiles. Suede mats are often used when framing sports memorabilia. For artworks larger than 40” x 60”, mats and backers can be wrapped in a variety of ways to create a truly bespoke solution.
Textured Mats
Besides fabric, there are even more unique textures available including faux wood, faux linen, “golf ball”, “basketball”, “football”, luster parchment paper, pebbled and gold leaf.
Crescent offers a line of mats called Earthcore – neutral tones with neutral color cores that pair perfectly with old photos and vintage prints!
Mat Cores
While most mats have a white core revealing a white bevel when cut, there are select mats with a solid core, black core or BriteCore™. Solid core mats are found most often in rag mats with neutral colors. They are perfect when you don’t want a bright white bevel, say on an antique or vintage print. Black core mats can create the illusion of an additional mat without the cost of an added mat and Britecores™ provide a nice pop of color.
Custom Mat Fabrication
In addition to specialty mats, there are several ways to cut and fabricate mats to add interest to a design.
With a computerized mat cutter, we can cut myriad designs from cove corners to custom shapes. V-grooves can also be cut into the surface of the mat which will allow for an added design element or the illusion of an additional mat.
Mats as Art
Mats can be laser cut to create the art itself. The following examples showcase detailed designs from our Kern laser that we’ve produced for our clients. When layered in a frame design, laser cut mats are a great solution for creating dimension and depth.
Printed Mats
Can’t find the perfect color or need a truly custom design? We can print it! Printed mats and backers might be the answer. As forerunners in the printing industry, we can direct print a specific Pantone® color or a printed design onto the mat to create a unique solution that truly speaks to the art. In this example the image is a 3D relief printed directly onto a mat.
No matter what your artistic needs are, there is a matboard for every occasion. Not only do mats act as a protective barrier, they can also be a stylish component of your artwork. Colorchrome’s expert framing team understands how important it is to choose the right matboard alongside other elements of your framing design. We are here to work with you every step of the way to ensure that, together, we have created a design that both protects your artwork and elevates your space. If you’re interested in learning more about our custom framing services, click here. Have an idea to share or ready to start your own project? Let’s start a conversation.