Picking a Picture Frame Mat

For many people who are viewing art, the wider mats help to give a visual "breathing space" in between the picture frame and the art that seems more comfortable. Once used largely by museums and art collectors for highly valued pieces, wide mat borders at the moment are popular for all kinds of framed art.

The right choice of mat borders is primarily personal preference, which can change as time passes. It's a good idea, when trying to determine your choice, to consider framed art in magazines, in museums, in other people's homes, or really anywhere art is available.

In addition to the width of your mat border, different styles have developed over time, many of which came into being to match variations of art in addition to different decor. You may create the mood of the art that you are desiring to display with a selection of varieties of mat borders.

Identical Borders, Single Mat

The most basic standard mat has equal widths all the way around and provides an effective presentation for almost any form of art. The color and texture of the mat board's surface can provide the general character of the artwork.

Numerous Opening Mats

In this type, which is usually utilized for photographs, multiple openings are cut into one mat board to permit the display of more than one picture, each in its own individual window. The openings might be the same configuration, or perhaps a variety of shapes and sizes. This type of mat can also be used to display collections, like trading cards or stamps. When you are displaying many items within one frame, usually it is better to choose simple frames, like solid colored wood picture frames or plain silver plated picture frames.

The Double Mats

A double mat is actually just two mats on top of each other. A bit of the lower mat is revealed inside the top mats' opening, usually from an eighth of an inch up to half an inch. Usually the mats are two different colors, but this is not necessary. This type of mat creates both physical and visual depth. If the artwork has a double mat, it can be regarded as a far more finished and professional looking piece.

A Weighted Bottom Mat

A weighted bottom mat is one that features a wider or slightly extended bottom border. Some say it provides the feel of a solid base and suits the eye. This style is very popular for a number of types of art framing.

Museum Mat Style

This kind of mat has a distinctly wider lower border and significant borders on the sides and top. This sort of mat is usually utilized by art museums whenever they display engravings, watercolor paintings, and drawings, which is where the name is derived. The traditional color preference of museums is neutral mats in gray, off-white, and white, however, if used in home decor, some individuals like more density with the colors of their matting.

The Oriental Mat

This kind of mat has two narrow opposite sides, and the remaining borders are much wider, and that is designed to mimic the proportions on the art that is found on scrolls. Typically, the narrow sides are a third to a fourth the width of the other sides. This kind of mat is typically seen with Asian paintings and art, but it also works well with elongated art.

An Arched Mat

For a classical, traditional, or even romantic feel, go for a curved arch mat. This type of mat gives artwork a feeling of antiquity and will be ideal for vintage photographs. Additionally it is an excellent choice if you have romantic photographs, like from an anniversary or perhaps a wedding.

The Print Mat

With wider sides and a narrow top and bottom, this mat provides a piece of art a contemporary character and it is ideal for prints on oversized sheets of paper.

Oval Mats

A mat which has an oval opening imparts both a romantic and an traditional feel. Because of the fact that the corners of the art being framed will be hidden, this kind of mat works best if your image is centered. Oval mats can be used to frame silhouette portraits, wedding pictures, and vintage photos.

Fabric-covered Mats

The texture of a fabric mat adds both dimension as well as depth. These are usually found covered with silk, linen, velvet, and suede.

French Mats

The opening in the French mat is surrounded by ink lines, with panels of watercolor washes between the lines. These may possess a series of color panels and lines, or just two lines with one wash of color.

Embellished Mat

It can be fun to apply decoration such as stickers on the surface of a mat, like a small decorative design on every one of the four corners or even a simple monogram in only the corner. The kind of embellishment that you choose can make your artwork anywhere from playful to formal and elegant.

Now that you've discovered a few of the numerous forms of mat which you can choose, have fun framing your pictures. Make your picture or artwork look its best with the type of mat which you choose.

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