The mat, the bordered paper or board surrounding a print between the artwork and the frame’s inner edge, is genuinely one of the most overlooked elements in framing, frequently treated as an unnecessary extra cost rather than a meaningful design and conservation decision. A well-chosen mat does real work: it creates visual breathing room, prevents the art from directly touching the glass (a genuine conservation concern), and significantly affects how the finished piece reads as a whole.
Why Matting Matters for Conservation
Beyond pure aesthetics, mats serve a genuinely important conservation function: creating physical separation between the artwork and the glass prevents condensation and humidity from directly affecting the art’s surface, and prevents the print from sticking to the glass over time, a real risk, particularly for prints displayed in humid environments.
Acid-Free Matting: A Non-Negotiable for Valuable Work
Standard, non-archival matting contains acidic compounds that can genuinely migrate into the artwork over time, causing yellowing, staining, and accelerated degradation, sometimes visible as a distinct discoloured line where the mat’s inner edge meets the art. Acid-free, museum-quality matting eliminates this risk and is genuinely essential for any artwork with real lasting or sentimental value.
| Mat Type | Conservation Quality | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard/Economy Mat | Poor; contains acidic compounds that can damage art | Temporary or low-value display only |
| Acid-Free Mat | Good; prevents acid migration | Most home framing projects |
| Museum/Conservation Mat | Excellent; fully archival, often cotton-based | Valuable originals, family heirlooms, investment pieces |
Mat Width and Visual Proportion
Mat width significantly affects how a piece reads: wider mats create a more formal, gallery-like presence and make smaller art feel more substantial, while narrower or absent mats suit a more contemporary, image-forward presentation. As a general guide, mat width of around 6 to 10cm is common for most standard print sizes, though larger statement pieces can carry proportionally wider mats.
Single vs Double Matting
Double matting, using two mat layers with a thin reveal of the bottom colour visible around the top mat’s edge, adds genuine visual sophistication and depth, particularly effective for adding a subtle accent colour that complements the art without overwhelming it.
Colour Choice
White and off-white mats remain the most versatile, classic choice, working with nearly any art style and colour palette, while coloured mats can create striking effects but require more careful colour coordination with the specific piece.
Acid-Free Mat Board — White Standard Size Pack
Quality acid-free mat board in standard sizes, providing essential conservation protection for framed prints.
$28 View on Amazon
Museum Quality Cotton Mat — Conservation Grade
Premium museum-quality cotton mat board for valuable original artwork and family heirlooms.
$45 View on Amazon
Double Mat Frame Set — Layered Accent Colour
Frame set with double matting offering a subtle accent colour reveal for added visual sophistication.
$72 View on Amazon
Mat Cutting Tool Kit — Custom Mat DIY
Professional mat cutting tool kit for custom-sizing acid-free mat board at home.
$48 View on Amazon
Tru Vue Conservation Matting Materials
Tru Vue’s professional conservation-grade matting and glazing materials for archival framing projects.
Shop Tru Vue
Custom Mat Cutting Service — Independent Framer
Professional custom mat cutting service from an independent framer via Etsy.
Shop on Etsy✕ What to Avoid
- Using standard, non-acid-free matting for valuable or sentimentally significant artwork; acid migration causes genuine, irreversible damage
- Choosing mat width disproportionate to the art’s size; both oversized and undersized mats look visibly unbalanced
- Skipping matting entirely for prints displayed in humid environments, risking the print sticking directly to the glass
- Overcomplicating colour choice; white and off-white mats remain the safest, most versatile option for most situations
- Assuming all ‘acid-free’ labelled products meet genuine archival standards; verified museum-quality cotton mats offer superior protection