How To Properly Choose A Mat Color

Matting a piece of artwork serves three fundamental purposes:

1. It's practical to keep some distance between a work of art and the glass that protects it. Direct contact can be problematic because humidity can cause the art medium and the glass to adhere to one another, damaging the piece of art.

2. It helps make a work of art more decorative. Adding a mat to any piece, including a photograph, helps bring together other elements in a room where the art is displayed. Ideally, a carefully chosen color of matting will bring the piece of art into a harmonious relationship with both the mat and the color of the wall on which it's displayed.

3. It's creative and allow you to utilize your creativity to enhance the subject and colors in your matted piece. A work of art can't be altered once it's been created, but it can be enhanced and complimented by the right choice of mat board.

The rule when working with mat boards and pieces of art is that there are no clear-cut rules that dictate how you should proceed. There are however, guidelines that can help you make a choice that is in harmony with your preference for decor and your taste in color and art. Although the guidelines can help you make a good choice of pre cut mat for your print, understanding them can also help you develop your own taste that essentially fails to follow the rules.

 The Basics

The primary rule of choosing a picture mat is to choose mat board that does not match the color of your frame. Choosing a similarly colored mat impairs the enhancement and causes the mat to blend in with the frame. This defeats the purpose of the mat and the frame.
Next, because your goal is to create a visual transition that runs from the print's brightness to the wall's brightness, you should always choose a mat board that has a medium brightness. Essentially, this means that your picture mat needs to be lighter than your print but also darker than the wall used to display the print.
Finally, use mat boards that are the same color on all prints displayed as a group. The mat board will then tie all of your prints together visually. Alternately, you can alternate mat board colors to create artistic effects when using multiple pieces of art.

The Importance of Core Color

Each mat board has a core color that is not revealed until the hole for the pieces of art is removed. This color is important for highlighting the piece of art, because it lies immediately adjacent to the print itself.
In most cases, the mat board core color is the same as the mat board or it may be white. Working with mat board that has a core that is the same color makes matting a print easy however using a mat board that has a white core color can help to add another frame to the print. Additionally, a white core can create unwanted and unnecessary distracting, especially if the print and frame are more subdued.
White and Black Matters

There's a reason why white and off-white mats are routinely used to frame prints. These neutrals simply work against other colors. Mat boards are the ideal neutral area that lies between the print and your frame and using a neutral mat board allows the colors of the print and the frame to stand out.
One of the most popular mat boards used by photographers is a white board that has an inner black core. Between the frame and print, the white mat board acts as a neutral area that brings the eye to the print. In addition, the black core finely outlines the print, offsetting it from the mat without pulling the eye away from the print. Mat boards that are either black or grey can also be used as a neutral but they tend to have a much harsher effect.

How To Cut A Matboard With A Cutter

One of the most visually appealing ways to display your photography is to mount your work on mat board. This provides a rigid surface that stays flat against a wall while leaving edges empty for a clean line without a frame that distract from the picture.

1. Place the mat board on a level, firm, surface that is covered by a cutting mat.
2. Match a corner of the board with a corner of the cutting mat, at the edge marked zero inches or centimeters.
3. Attach the mat board cutter to the corner that contains the board and the cutting mat. Secure the cutter to the edge by tightening the screw counterclockwise one turn.
4. Move the blade of the cutter to the down position and tighten the adjustment screw by one turn clockwise.
5. Place a straightedge over the mat board, with the edge against the edge to be cut.
6. Gently hold down the mat board while you run the cutter along the edge.
7. Loosen the mat board from the screws and remove.

Properly Preserving Your Projects Using Matboard

When you're matting and framing one of your photographs, a print or other flat piece of art, the value of the item should be taken into consideration. In addition, you should consider whether the finished piece will be used for decoration or if you might also want to preserve it because it has historic or intrinsic value.

 Fortunately, if you're framing something for use as a part of your home decor, you have a variety of choices for matting. Mats come in a wide selection of colors and materials, and can feature textures created by suede, velvet or fabric. Choosing an outer mat that is complimented by a mat that features a different color or texture, or making selective decorative cuts on the outer edge of the matting can provide you with a piece of art with a completely unique style.

 Although these approaches may make your selected art look great, they may also compromise your ability to preserve the piece and can lead to damage over time. This is why you need to understand and consider the value of the piece to be matted and framed before choosing the materials and style of your display. Matting should be chosen based on it's ability to preserve and protect when using it to frame a valuable piece of art. Material used to make the matboard should be acid-free, lignin-free and has an inherently neutral balance of acidity and alkalinity. Keep in mind that a mat that has a neutral pH should not simply be buffered to make it neutral.

Acid mat burn is characterized by yellow or brown staining that begin to develop on the edges of the piece, where the mat lays on the art. If this is combined with a backing on the piece that is acidic, the stains can migrate throughout the piece of art. The damage caused by mat burn isn't limited to discoloration either, because it also makes the art's paper brittle and prone to additional damage, easy ripping and general decomposition.

How To Repair Picture Matting

A mat is used to complement a picture or piece of framed art. After time, the picture matting can start to show normal wear and tear, such as discoloring, crinkling and creasing. When choosing a mat, find one that will complement the photograph, but also withstand time. For example, lighter mats will be less likely to show fading. However, should the picture matting become damaged, there are ways to update and make it look fresh and presentable. 

Take the photograph and matting out of the frame. Look at both sides for anything that needs to be repaired or replaced. If the mat board is wrinkled, place a paper towel over it and on a low heat setting, run an iron over it. 

The picture mats may have to be replaced if it is overly faded or torn. If you have to replace the entire mat, choose one that is acid free. This will help preserve your photograph by not causing additional deterioration when framed. Use the previous mat as a guide when cutting the new mat out. Trace along the inside of the mat opening onto a piece of cardboard. Then place the cardboard on the new board and cut out using an X-Acto knife. 

Place new matting and photograph in the frame and hang in desired location on your wall. To prevent the new, or repaired matting from needing to be repaired in the future, keep in a place where it will have little sunlight. This will prevent fading of the mat and photograph. Also, keep the frame hung in a low traffic area, which will reduce the risk of it being knocked off the wall.

Cropping Artwork With Mats

If you have a picture or a piece of artwork that lacks interest or flair, consider cropping it with a photo mat during the framing process. Sometimes there are spectacular elements in your photo, but other parts are distracting. It is perfectly acceptable to cover a portion of the picture with photo mat board to accentuate the positive aspects.

Photo : Travis Isaacs

It is best to ask for permission before cropping out portions on another person's work. By using photo mats that that are cropped to highlight the best part of a photo, you can present an intriguing display for an otherwise bland rendition.