Transform Your Art with Custom Mat Boards and Picture Frames

If you've ever wondered what elevates amateur framing to professional, gallery-quality results, the answer often lies in one key element: the mat board. A thoughtfully selected mat can turn a standard frame into a breathtaking presentation piece. Here’s everything you need to know about custom mat boards and how they can enhance your artwork.

What Is a Mat Board?

A mat board, also known as a picture mat or photo mat, is a flat, border-like material placed between your artwork and the frame’s glass or plexiglass. It serves both aesthetic and protective roles by creating a visual space around your artwork while preventing it from contact with the glazing.

Why Matting Matters

Framing artwork without a mat can make it appear cramped. A custom mat board offers several benefits:

• Visual Breathing Room: Creates a resting space for the eye between the frame and the artwork, effectively making your piece the focal point.
• Depth and Dimension: Introduces a layered, three-dimensional quality to your presentation.
• Protection: Keeps your artwork separated from the glazing, preventing moisture damage and sticking.
• Color Enhancement: The right mat color can enhance specific tones within your artwork or photography.

Choosing the Right Mat Color

The most sought-after mat colors include white, off-white, and cream—popular because they complement almost any artwork and frame combination. For a more striking look, think about matching a mat color to a secondary hue in your artwork. Dark colors like black, charcoal, or navy provide dramatic contrast, especially with lighter images.

Double Matting for Extra Impact

Double matting involves layering two mats, with the bottom mat peeking through as a thin border. This technique adds depth and sophistication to your framing. A classic combination is a white top mat paired with a colored or black bottom mat that aligns with the frame.

Multi-Opening Mats

Would you like to showcase multiple photos in a single frame? Our multi-opening mat boards let you create stunning collage-style displays. They are perfect for family photos, wedding collections, school portraits, or any assortment of related images. Our custom multi-opening mat designer allows you to customize the sizes and positions of openings.

Getting the Size Right

Mat borders usually range from 1.5 to 4 inches, with widths of 2 to 3 inches being most common for standard-sized artwork. Larger pieces tend to look better with wider borders. When ordering custom picture frames, be sure to account for your desired mat width when determining the overall frame size.

Ready to take your framing to the next level? Explore our wide selection of custom mat boards available in hundreds of colors and sizes, or check out our multi-opening mat options to create unique displays.