This is a subtitle for your new post

Mat boards serve as a visual separation between your artwork and the glass of a frame. They prevent the piece from touching the glass directly and provide an elegant border that enhances the overall presentation. Understanding the different types of mat boards available will help you make informed decisions that protect your investment and showcase your artwork to its fullest potential.

Core Materials in Mat Boards

The core of the mat board dictates its quality, longevity, and protective capabilities. Each type of core offers distinct advantages, depending on the type of artwork and where the frame will hang. At Complete Pictures, we provide a variety of core materials to meet the specific needs of any piece you wish to frame.

Paper

Paper mat boards, often called decorative mat boards, are an affordable design option for people looking to preserve everyday artwork. Manufacturers create these boards from wood pulp buffered with calcium carbonate. This buffering process neutralizes acids, which helps slow down the degradation of the board and your artwork.

While they are a cost-effective choice for general-purpose framing, such as for posters or non-valuable prints, they are not suitable for preserving valuable or sentimental pieces. Over time, the acidic components in the wood pulp can cause discoloration, often referred to as “mat burn.” This appears as a brownish line along the bevel cut and can damage the artwork it touches.

Alpha-Cellulose

For a step up in quality, alpha-cellulose mat boards feature cellulose fibers, typically derived from cotton or purified wood pulp, that manufacturers chemically treat to remove lignin and other acidic elements. They are a naturally acid-free and lignin-free board that offers excellent protection for a wide range of artwork.

Alpha-cellulose mats provide a great balance between quality and affordability. They resist fading and yellowing far better than standard paper mats so that your artwork remains safe and beautifully presented for many years. This makes them a popular choice for limited edition prints, fine art photography, and original artwork that requires a higher level of conservation.

Cotton Rag

Rag mat boards, also known as cotton rag or museum-quality boards, are the highest standard of archival framing. Made from 100% cotton fibers, these boards are naturally acid-free and lignin-free for your most valuable and irreplaceable pieces.

Cotton is inherently pure and stable, which means it will not degrade or release harmful substances over time. Museum curators and professional artists trust rag mats to preserve historical documents, original masterpieces, and treasured family heirlooms. Choosing a rag mat protects your artwork from environmental damage for generations, making it a wise investment for pieces with monetary or sentimental value.

Mat Board Ply and Thickness

The thickness of a mat board, referred to as its “ply,” adds visual depth and structural integrity of your framed piece. Different thicknesses create different aesthetic effects, from subtle borders to dramatic, deep-set presentations, so pick out a mat board ply that best accommodates your piece of art.

4-Ply Mat Boards

4-ply is the standard thickness for most matting applications. It provides a clean, classic border that complements a wide variety of artwork without overpowering it. Its thickness is substantial enough to create a visible separation between the artwork and the glazing. 4-ply mat boards are versatile and available in the widest range of colors and textures.

6-Ply Mat Boards

A 6-ply mat board is 50% thicker than a standard 4-ply board. This added thickness creates a more pronounced and luxurious bevel to showcase the artwork in eye-catching ways. The deeper cut draws the viewer’s eye inward, which works well for smaller pieces that you want to give more presence or for any artwork that benefits from a stronger visual frame.

8-Ply Mat Boards

For the most dramatic effect, an 8-ply mat board offers double the thickness of a standard 4-ply. This creates a deep, gallery-quality look that makes a bold statement. The exceptionally deep bevel adds dimension and visual weight for showcasing fine art photography, important documents, or any piece you wish to highlight as a focal point.

Using an 8-ply mat transforms a simple frame into a truly impressive display. While it comes at a higher cost, these mat boards offer the highest level of protection for special pieces.

Specialty Mat Board Designs

Beyond the standard single mat, you can explore various design techniques to add character and sophistication to your framing. These specialty options allow for greater personalization and can highlight specific elements within your artwork. Consider using different types of mat boards to customize and showcase your art pieces in displays that complement your interior design.