Bainbridge Alphamat Artcare Matte White Mat Board

Proportions are an essential design element. From graphic design and furniture arrangement to fine art, how you use proportions directly impacts the final presentation and power of your art within its frame.

In the custom framing process, there’s a great deal of focus on selecting the perfect frame to complement a cherished work of art or photography—but equally important is an element that may not always get the attention it deserves: the mat board.

When it comes to framing your precious artwork or photography, choosing the best framing materials to support its overall presentation is essential. Custom framing options, particularly those available online, can span a wide array of options—making it difficult to determine which ones are the right choice for your framing needs and preferences. One easy way to overcome this challenge is by ordering samples of the various framing materials you’re considering. 

From simply separating a piece of art from the frame’s glazing or creating a transition between the work and the frame, to highlighting specific colors and visual elements, playing with proportions or coordinating with current decor, the use of mat boards spans a variety of functions. Mat boards are utilized with many different types of framing projects, and their artistic applications have expanded and evolved over time. Let’s explore these trends as well as their impact on current offerings and how you can leverage them to enhance your framed art and photography.

From Porcelain and Pure to Polar, Frost, Ice, Igloo and every tint of white in between, there’s an entire palette of white hues to explore when choosing a mat board for your custom framing project. White may be the most popular shade of matting, but any artist or color professional will tell you that there’s nothing basic about this neutral shade.
 

When displaying multiple pieces in a single framing treatment, multi-opening mat boards can be customized and sized to your exact specifications.

Custom mats for frames aren't always needed, but they're always worth serious consideration.