Description
Aesthetic and Protective Custom Frame Matting
Custom frame matting is the practice of having a mat—a border made of a paper-based material—precisely cut to fit both the artwork and the frame. This service allows for complete control over the mat’s size, shape, colour, and material. Thus, ensuring a perfect presentation and a crucial layer of protection for the art.
Custom matting serves two primary functions:
Aesthetic Enhancement
A mat creates a clean, visual buffer that provides “breathing room” around the artwork. Thus preventing it from looking crowded in the frame. By adding depth and a frame-within-a-frame effect, a mat can draw the eye inward and focus attention on the piece. The color of the mat is a powerful design tool. A skilled framer can use it to highlight a specific color within the artwork. And subtly enhance its mood, or tie it to the surrounding room decor.
Archival Preservation
This is the most critical function of a custom mat. A mat creates a vital air gap between the artwork and the frame’s glazing (glass or acrylic). This prevents the piece from adhering to the glass due to condensation or humidity. Moreover, archival-grade, acid-free mats are used to prevent the artwork from yellowing, discoloring, or developing “acid burn” over time.
Custom Frame Matting Materials
The quality of the mat material is essential for preservation.
Paper Mat Board
Paper mat board is the most common and budget-friendly option for framing. It is typically made from wood pulp and is not acid-free. It is a cost-effective solution for a quick and simple display. But it is not recommended for valuable or long-term framing. Over time, the acids in the paper mat board can cause the artwork it’s touching to become brittle and yellow. And develop permanent discoloration, a process known as “acid burn.” This mat board is best used for temporary displays, posters, or art that is not considered an heirloom.
Conservation Mat Board
A conservation mat board is a significant upgrade and is considered the professional standard for preserving art. These mats are both acid-free and lignin-free. Lignin is a chemical compound found in wood pulp that breaks down over time and releases damaging acids. By removing it, the mat provides a stable, pH-neutral environment for the artwork, preventing discoloration and degradation. A conservation mat ensures that the art and the mat itself will not yellow or become brittle over time. This is the ideal choice for framing fine art prints, signed posters, and any artwork that you want to preserve for decades.
Museum-Grade Mat Board
A museum-grade mat board represents the highest quality and is the ultimate choice for long-term preservation of valuable art and treasured heirlooms. These mats are made from 100% cotton rag and are naturally acid-free and lignin-free. Cotton is a purer and more stable material than wood pulp. This makes it the safest option for direct contact with irreplaceable artwork. Museum-grade mats are highly resistant to environmental pollutants, ensuring the best possible protection against deterioration. They are used by museums and professional conservators to frame and display historical documents, limited edition prints, and priceless artwork. This guarantees the piece will remain in pristine condition for generations.
Custom frame matting design options
Custom matting allows for endless creative possibilities.
Single Mat
The single mat is the quintessential choice for a clean, timeless presentation. This design provides a simple, yet elegant border that creates a crucial visual buffer between the artwork and the frame. Its primary purpose is to give the art a space to “breathe”, preventing it from looking cluttered or cramped. The single mat’s simplicity ensures that all focus remains on the artwork. Making it a versatile option for any style, from a classic oil painting to a contemporary black-and-white photograph. It’s a foundational element of professional framing, providing a polished and uncluttered look.
Double Mat
A double mat adds a layer of depth and sophistication that a single mat cannot. It consists of a top mat with a smaller, inner mat in a contrasting or complementary color peeking through the beveled edge. The inner mat serves as a subtle accent, which can be chosen to highlight a specific color within the artwork or to add a hint of the room’s color scheme. This creates a visually richer, more professional look, making the framed piece appear more substantial and valuable. The double mat is an excellent way to elevate a standard print or photo into a more curated and refined display.
Triple Mat
The triple mat is used for a truly elaborate and formal presentation. It builds upon the double mat by adding a third, inner layer, creating a profound sense of depth and luxury. This design is often reserved for highly valuable artworks, heirloom pieces, or formal portraits, where the goal is to make a powerful statement. The three layers of color and texture add visual weight and complexity to the display. While it requires a deeper frame, the result is an exceptionally rich and elegant presentation that draws the eye to the very center of the framed piece.
Beveled Edge
The beveled edge is a standard feature in high-quality matting that adds a professional and elegant finish. The inner opening of the mat is cut at a 45-degree angle, creating a crisp, clean line that subtly directs the viewer’s eye toward the artwork. This angled cut also adds a sense of three-dimensionality to the mat, making the framed piece appear more polished and well-crafted. In a double or triple mat, the beveled edge of the top layers can also reveal the colors of the inner mats, adding a subtle visual accent that enhances the overall design.
Custom-Cut Shapes
Custom-cut shapes allow for unique, personalized designs that go beyond the traditional square or rectangle. A mat can be cut into an oval, a circle, or even a heart to complement the subject of the artwork. This option is perfect for framing a specific detail in a photograph or for a wedding or family portrait where a special shape adds a touch of sentiment. By tailoring the shape of the mat to the art, the framer can create a one-of-a-kind piece that is both a functional display and a work of art in itself.
Fabric-Wrapped Mats
Fabric-wrapped mats add a luxurious and tactile dimension to the framed artwork. The mat board is meticulously covered in a material like linen, silk, or suede, which provides a soft, elegant texture that a paper mat cannot replicate. This is a popular choice for traditional and high-end framing, as the fabric adds a layer of richness and sophistication. A fabric-wrapped mat is also excellent for tying the framed piece to the textiles and fabrics within a room’s decor, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.
Multiple Openings
A multiple-opening mat is an ingenious design solution for displaying a series of related artworks or photographs in a single, cohesive collection. Instead of using many small, individual frames, a single mat is cut with several openings, allowing you to tell a visual story. This is a popular choice for displaying a series of wedding photos, a timeline of a child’s life, or a collection of small art prints. The multiple-opening mat creates a sense of unity and purpose, turning a simple collection of images into a curated and visually organized narrative.