The mat you use in your framed art is more important than you might think. There are just two reasons for matting art: It keeps the glass separated out of your art work so that it will not adhere to the glass, and it enriches your art.
A pad provides needed space so that your eye can hone in on the art and it does not get cut off at the framework, particularly when you use chunky eyeglasses. Here are some tips:
Laura Trevey
What type of mat will protect your art/photos long-term? You have choices, so be aware of exactly what the mat is made of; a few materials can actually damage your art.
There are three common types of mats you can buy: paper mats, Alfa mats, or rag mats. The difference between them is that the acid.
Paper mats, made of paper pulp, would be the most inexpensive and utilized with a great deal of frames that come with the mat. These mats have a great deal of acid in them that causes the borders to turn brown. Finally this can ruin the art as the acid leaks into it. It’s possible to spot a white paper mat by taking a look at the beveled edge where it meets the art. It won’t look pure white.
Alpha-cellulose mats are made of wood pulp chemically treated to remove acids that can decay artwork.
A rag mat is a obviously acid-free mat board made from cotton. These mats don’t have any acid, along with the cut edges remain pure white eternally. Rag mats, used by museums, are a popular choice for keeping art safe.
Go to get a rag or alpha mat to get art you want to protect forever. If you are getting a mat from an expert framer, make sure it does not have any acid in it.
Ninainvorm
The usage of crisp white mats unifies a vibrant gallery of framed pieces of art. The consistent ring of color will also add width and height to each piece, allowing your eye to focus on each individual piece of art.
SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.
Do not skimp on the dimensions of the mat. I believe at least two inches of mat thickness work for art 11″x14″ or smaller, making fantastic separation from the framework. For larger pieces, try a mat at least three inches broad. Even from far away, the large mat draws the eye toward the framed piece, and even toward a particular key element of the item.
Maria Killam
When picking a mat for photographs, go with a wider mat (more than three inches wide) in white or off-white for a sharp look. It will look sleek and modern in a gallery-like grouping.
For Folks design
An oversize mat can provide little art more existence, either alone or within a group.
John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA
Layered mats produce an intriguing look for black-and-white art, also. Tie at the base mat color with the framework color (black when using a dark frame, gray or silver when using a silver frame, etc.), then use a nice light neutral on shirt to get a clean, modern feel.
Paula Grace Designs, Inc..
Although white is the most frequently encountered mat color, try other neutrals in the taupe and gray households too. It will add a soft end without overpowering your own piece. The taupe color works particularly well with golden frames, along with the gray colors are nice complements to silver frame finishes.
Elizabeth Hanley Design
Do you have different sized art but need them to fit in precisely the exact same size of framework? No problem! Utilizing the largest piece of art, find the ideal size mat and frame for it. Get enough of these frames for each of the smaller art you need to hang. Subsequently at a professional woodworking shop, get the framer to personalize mats to fit the art on your own frames.
Design+Develop
I’ve worked with professional framers who advocate staying away from mats that are brighter or darker in the art. When I need to add color to my mat, I use numerous mats, using my dark or bold color on the initial layer so only a little complementary color shows through.
VisuaLingual
Select your mat color based on which will best complement the art — not the space you are hanging it. Notice the way the mat color differs on the largest artwork in this picture, yet it suits it perfectly and adds character to the structure.
Kati Curtis Design
If going over a big piece of furniture, equilibrium the piece by employing a wider mat. The piece of art gets large, accountable, and striking with just a crisp white framework.
CWB Architects
If you have a whole lot of photos or art to hang, you can save yourself money by reusing frames you may already have, or purchasing secondhand frames from your local frame shop or art supply shop. Then have an expert framer switch out the paper mat to an acid-free rag mat.
More:
How to Organize Art in an Artful Way