Use Mat Board to Protect and Decorate Your Fine Art

Mat board is used to enhance the look of your artwork with in a picture frame in several different ways. There are many types of matboard available, including acid-free, museum-quality Bainbridge mat board, pre-cut mat board and photo matting. All of these are useful to protect and add color to your framed artwork.

Bainbridge Mat Board

Bainbridge is the name of a company that produces some of the finest mat board available. Bainbridge mat board comes in two different thicknesses, which include four ply and eight ply. The four ply is one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and is perfect for use in most types of framing situations. The eight ply is thicker, at one-eighth of an inch, and offers extra strength and rigidity not found in other lesser mat board. All of the Bainbridge mat board is made with acid-free materials that contain no lignin or ground wood. Wood products contain acids that can damage your fine artwork's surface. Acid-free products are the best way to prevent that damage from occurring. It comes in various shades of white and off-white, as well as several vivid colors.

Pre-Cut Mat Board

Mats that are pre-cut offer several advantages to those who are doing a large quantity of framing. Because they are pre-cut, they are less expensive than custom-cut mats. This quality mat comes in a wide range of sizes and colors, so you can find exactly what you need for most standard sizes of framed artwork. Mat that is pre-cut is also available in acid-free forms, to help preserve and protect your fine artwork at a price you will like.

Photo Matting

Mats that are specially crafted for use with fine art photographs have several special features. Typically, photographs in art galleries or museums are framed in thin metal frames with wide white mats. This lends continuity to the display space, as well as an artistic quietness that will not distract from the photographs themselves. These mats are also made out of fairly thick mats, or the mats are layered to increase the thickness. This is done to ensure that there is good air circulation within the frame to prevent moisture from condensing inside, which could damage the surface of the photograph.

Other Matting Supplies

In addition to a great mat board, you will want some matting supplies to attach the art to the mount so that is stays securely in place within the frame. Hinging tape is used to connect the mat to the mount. The art is sandwiched in between, and this keeps the artwork from slipping while giving you the option of easily reframing in the future if you wish.

Anne Harvester is an avid fan of arts and crafts such as Bainbridge mat board and matting supplies or framing kits. Anne believes a pre-cut mat board is just as important as the picture itself since it's a safeguard for something you value.