If you have some artwork that you want to frame yourself, you might be wondering if you need to use a mat board. Many people think a mat board is just something you can add to your frame if you want your picture to have a pretty border. However, it actually has more uses than just visual enhancement. Here are some things to consider when you are deciding whether or not you need a mat board when framing art at home.
Decide Whether the Picture Frame Mat Compliments the Artwork
The first thought that comes to mind about using a mat board is whether it will enhance the presentation of the artwork. Most of the time, it does add to the impact of the presentation. The mat can pick up a color in the art or pick up a color in the room where the art will be displayed to bring the decor of the room together.
The picture frame matboard can also be used to enhance the art by making its presence bigger. So, think about how big you would like your final art presentation to be. You can use a single mat board or a double and even a triple mat to increase the visual interest.
The opening of the mat can be rectangular, oval, or other interesting shapes that can make the art display more dramatic. It really depends on what kind of impact you want your art to make. There are countless ways to use a mat board to achieve the visual effect you want to make.
Protecting Your Art
When you use a mat board on the art, you are protecting the art’s face by allowing air to circulate around it. Your artwork will be pressed against the frame’s glass without the mat board.
If any moisture condenses behind the glass inside the frame, the lack of air circulation around the art can cause this moisture to be trapped, thus leading to the growth of mold and mildew. This becomes a big issue if the space where you plan to display the art is subject to some humidity level.
In addition, if your artwork has a high-gloss finish, the gloss might stick to the glass. It is not an issue if you do not think you will ever reframe it. However, if you do decide to remove the art from the frame in the future, you might be dismayed that your art cannot be unstuck from the glass without damaging it.
Additional Considerations
The mat board can give your art more support inside the frame. With the artwork mounted on the backing and mat board placed on top of the artwork, you can securely and safely hold the artwork in a perfect position when you frame it. The mat board protects the artwork by allowing handling of the art by the edges of the mat board and backboard instead of directly touching the art. This is important, especially with art that is delicate or easily damaged.
The above are essential things to consider when deciding whether you need a mat board when you frame your art at home. How big you want your art display to be, what kind of visual presentation you want, where your art will be displayed, the environment of the room, and whether the art will be reframed in the future are all aspects that will have some influence on your decision.
A mat board does offer many benefits for the most part. Make sure you use high-quality, acid-free materials and accurate techniques to make the perfect mat when framing art at home.
