Achieve An Artful Look With Picture Frame Mats

If picture framing could be considered analogous to clothing, picture frame mats could be thought of as the finishing accessories, such as a scarf or tie, that you use to dress up your outfit, or in this case, the fine art photograph inside the frame. Selection of picture framing mat board is an important consideration, because it is visible to viewers of your artwork, and thus needs to be selected with care to give the finished look that you wish to achieve with your fine artwork.

There are conservation reasons for using a picture frame with mat. Without a picture framing mat board in place, your fine art photography could easily come in contact with the glazing used in the frame. If water or other pollutants were to collect on the glass, it could touch the surface of the artwork and damage it. By using a picture frame with mat, you achieve the necessary air circulation needed to keep the surface of your fine art photography more reliably preserved.

Picture frame mats are available in conservation and non-archival qualities. The benefit of using non-archival picture framing mat board is that it offers an inexpensive option for framing your artwork for which preservation is not a consideration. Archival-quality picture frame mats and uncut mat board offer greater protection for your fine artwork, because they are made from acid-free materials. Acids commonly founds in wood products can cause discoloration or yellowing of the artwork's surface, but this can be prevented with the use of conservation-quality picture frame mats.

In order to achieve your desired look for the artwork, you can select from different thicknesses of picture framing mat board. Sizes from one-sixteen of an inch to one-eighth of an inch are commonly available.

Uncut mat board is an excellent choice for those who prefer to cut their own mats for their framing projects. Uncut mat board means that there is no window cut in the center of the board for the artwork to show through in the frame. Artists sometimes also use the uncut mat to mount their artwork. By keeping a good supply of this type of mat board on hand, you will always be prepared for custom framing projects that you would like to undertake.

Your picture frame with mat offers a finished composition of your artwork, and the care you take in considering your mat board options will pay off in the final look of your piece.

By: Susan Slobac

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Susan Slobac is an avid photographer.Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it's a safeguard for something you love. In this article Susan talks about--picture frame mats.