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Mat board sits just below the glazing in the framing package and on top of the artwork or photograph itself. It features a cutout, or mat window opening, to display the artwork underneath it. The cutout is often rectangular but sometimes circular or other shapes.
What are mat boards used for?
Mat board (aka frame mat, photo mat, matte board) is a board that sits between the glass of your frame and your artwork. It protects your artwork from damages and helps enhance the presentation.
Do you need a mat board?
Attachment to the backing board is preferred by professional framers. Matting can help to protect artwork. For artists and collectors, a mat allows unframed art to be handled without touching the art. Mats are an important part of the visual presentation in picture framing.
What thickness is matboard?
Matboard Thickness Matboard is typically measured in PLY, which is not standardized like inches, making it misleading. Mats come in either 4 PLY (0.040-0.052″) or 8 PLY (0.125″) but that doesn’t mean all PLY are the same.
What is photo matboard?
Matboard is a heavy cardboard-like material that is used to give a photograph, drawing, or other artwork a finished look during the picture framing process. When you pay to have a picture professionally framed, matboard is usually included in the price of the framing.
What is the difference between mat board and mount board?
The location of mount board is basically the opposite of mat board. Instead of sitting on top of the artwork, it sits behind it. The artwork is attached to the mount board, which is against the back of the frame, with hinging tape or other adhesives.
When should you mat a picture?
The whole idea of matting is to place even more focus on the art itself, so when it comes to choosing color, exercise restraint. An understated white or off-white will look splendid with most anything. If you want some drama or the piece is almost uniformly white, consider a gray or black mat to set it off.
What is a matted photo?
A front or window mat is a piece of board with a cutout window, through which the photograph is viewed. The print is mounted to the back board and the window and back boards are hinged together with paper tape.
Should I mat my photos?
Mats help keep your artwork safe by separating the glass from the art or whatever it is being framed. Having a mat in between your artwork and framing glass is important because any condensation that might develop on the inside of the glass can be transferred to your art causing water damage, mold or mildew.
How do I choose a mat board?
The width of your mat greatly impacts how your art is presented. A good rule of thumb is to choose a mat that is at least 1 inch wider than your moulding. Most mats are 2-4 inches wide; generally, larger artwork can support a wider mat, and smaller artwork would be paired with a narrower mat.
Does mat board warp?
it built out to depth all around, but if any of the back mats are very much smaller than the outer one, it can cause warping.
Will Hobby Lobby cut mat board?
Did you know that you can get a mat cut…in any size and layout, from any of the matboard options…at Michaels? (And probably other framing stores like JoAnn Fabrics and Hobby Lobby…. but I haven’t checked their options personally.) Yep! Just the mat.
Can you paint on Matt board?
Mat board frames can be painted with watercolor, gouache, or acrylic paint. Once the paint has dried thoroughly, frame the artwork as soon as possible.
What is mounting board?
A mounting board is a flat frame surrounding a picture, which fulfils decorative or protective purposes.
How do you attach fabric to a mat board?
Brush a thick line of rubber cement on the right side of the back of your mat board. Then fold the fabric over the edge of the mat and using your fingers smooth and press into the glue. Repeat on the left side. Fold the bottom right corner into a triangle to align with the edge of mat board.
Can you frame a picture without a mat?
Can You Frame A Picture Without Matting? Without mats or spacers, a print can stick, buckle, form newtons rings, and more if it is directly in contact with glass. By using spacers, you can make an air gap between the print and glazing.
Can a Cricut cut mat board?
The Cricut Maker and the Knife Blade are qualified to cut both 2-ply and 4-ply matboard. Matboard goes all the way up to 8-ply, but that’s too thick to cut, so stick to 2-ply and 4-ply matboard that is less than 2mm thick. You can always buy larger pieces and cut down with a craft knife and ruler.
Are mat boards acid-free?
Decorative mat boards are considered acid-free in that they are buffered to a ph-neutral acidic level which will eventually deteriorate – primarily based on exposure to light.
Can mat board be recycled?
What Mat Board Is Recyclable? If using a product you can recycle is important to you, then make sure you purchase mat board made of 100 percent paper product. If in doubt, attempt to tear the board; foam cores will not tear and many recycling centers will not accept foam core mat board.
