Photo Mats Archives | Personalize the Party!

What are mat boards?

A mat board is a thick layer of a cardboard-like material that is used to protect your photo or artwork in a frame. Mats are typically made from either pressed wood or cotton pulp.

The mat board material serves as a protective barrier between the glass or acrylic in a frame and the surface of your artwork/photograph.

For example, if moisture seeps into a frame and there’s no protective barrier (mat board), it can be disastrous. Over time, moisture can cause the artwork to stick to the glass or acrylic, which will eventually destroy the photograph or art piece. Having a mat board as a barrier protects your photo or artwork from the glass or acrylic.

But mats are not only used for protection of an art piece; they’re also a decorative border around your photo or art print. The mat breaks up the spatial continuity of a complete framed piece. It can be used to lead a viewer’s eye to the art/photograph by bordering it with negative space. It also gives the artwork a finished look.

Blue, green, and gray mat boards lay on a wooden desk with a clay flower pot blurred in the background. The image shows the thickness of the mats.

Is mat board acid free?

Not all mat boards are acid free—but many are. Mat board quality depends on the material it’s made from.

There are three classes of mat board: decorative, conservation, and archival. Both decorative and conservation mat boards are made of pressed wood pulp and are made to be either acid neutral or acid free.

Decorative mat boards are acid neutral. The wood pulp is treated with calcium carbonate which neutralizes the acid and lignin that naturally occur in wood pulp.
Conservation mat boards are made of wood pulp where the acid and lignin are removed from the material.
Archival mat boards are usually made of cotton pulp which naturally does not contain either acid or lignin

Our mat boards are in the decorative class and are therefore acid neutralized (not acid free). They’re made out of wood pulp that’s treated to protect the board for degradation of the acid and lignin. So if you’re looking for a mat to protect your photos or art—but not necessarily preserve them for a lifetime—our framing mats will work great for you.

Is mat board the same as mount board?

No. Mat board serves as a layer between your photograph and the glass or acrylic cover. Mount board is for support under your photograph or artwork and serves as a stiff backing to assist in sturdiness.

How to frame with mat board?

First, determine the photo or print size you’re going to frame. That’s the inner size of your mat. Then, decide what size frame you want, and that’s the outer size.

For example, if your photo is 8″ x 10″, you’ll want a mat that is larger than that opening. An 11″ x 14″-sized mat board with an 8″ x 10″ would accommodate your photo beautifully.

Mat board size also depends on preference. How much negative (border) space do you want around your photo? Do you want a thick border or a thin border? Once you choose your image and mat board size then you’ll want to choose a frame that accommodates the size of the mat board’s outer edges.

Once you have your art or photo, the mat board, and frame then it’s time to assemble your finished piece!

Black frame with white mat board holds a photo of a sun backlit lighthouse and pier. The frame hangs on a wall between a window with a light curtain and a fireplace mantle that's holding a decorative vase and some candles.

Is mat board recyclable?

Yes. Mat boards made out of wood or cotton pulp are recyclable.

Mat Board vs. Chipboard/Cardboard

Chipboard is a thinner board made of wood pulp and/or recycled products. It’s also sometimes known as paperboard. Chipboard varies in size and thickness and is sometimes used as a backer board for photographs and artwork.

Chipboard is normally not “acid free” or “acid neutral”. Sometimes the board is covered in acid free paper that will help protect your artwork. However, this type of product is not considered “museum” or “archival” quality.

Cardboard is often made of several layers, and it’s usually thicker and sturdier than chipboard. Cardboard can come in many forms. The most common type is corrugated cardboard (what’s used for to make shipping boxes), which is made of two layers of heavy paper called liners, with a middle layer of paper folded like an accordion. The accordion is glued to the two outer layers. Corrugated cardboard is not usually acid free. It can be covered with an acid free paper to protect artwork for a limited amount of time.

Mat board is made from either wood pulp or cotton pulp; cotton pulp provides the most long-term protection. Mats are often labeled as “acid free” when they are actually “acid neutral.” Since wood pulp naturally contains acid and lignin, a chemical is added to wood pulp boards to neutralize the acid. Cotton pulp is naturally acid- and lignin-free so these types of mat boards are used for archival purposes.

Standard Mat Board Dimensions

Standard mat board sizes are typically the same size as standard photograph sizes:

5″ x 7″
8″ x 10″
11″ x 14″
16″ x 20″
20″ x 24″

But mat boards are not constrained to these sizes. Professional framers and some mat board vendors can cut a mat board to a custom size. Need a custom-sized mat board? We sell mat boards cut to size.

What are some mat board uses?

Mat boards can be used to protect and display your:

Artwork
Photographs
Certificates, Awards & Diplomas
Posters
Sports Memorabilia

Can text or logos be added to mat board?

Yes! You can personalize decorative mat boards. At Studio Style we can foil stamp text, logos, monograms, or even a special message on a mat board. Learn more about our personalized photo mats or give us a call at (800) 346-3063.

Green, white, and blue photo mats imprinted with company logos.

Why use picture frame mats?

Picture framing mats are an easy way to “dress up” a print you want to frame. Whether you choose a subtle 1″ border or something thicker, mats to frame photos add an upscale elegance to your framed photo.

Are some photo mats better than others?

The thickness and material of matting for frames can make a world of difference. Thin matting material doesn’t accent your photo as well as a thicker mat board. Where this really makes a difference is with the beveled edge. That angled edge gives your framed print that professional touch. How thick the mat board is defines how much of that beveled mat edge you see.

Another point to consider is that while most photo mats are made of acid-free material, not all are. Some mats are acid-resistant; they’re not acid-free, but have a coating to protect the prints from the acid of the board. Be sure to check before purchasing.

Close-up of the beveled edge detail of a cream-colored picture frame mat. — This mat board is 48pt thick and has a clean beveled edge to highlight your photo or art print.

What size frame mat should I buy?

There are two things you need to consider when buying mats for picture frames:

1. What size frame you need.

2. What size photo or print you want to frame.

To determine the outer size of the mat board, simply measure the glass or clear cover from the picture frame. That’s the outer dimension of your mat board.

To determine the inside size, measure your print. Keep in mind that most people who cut mat boards leave an overlap of no more than 1/4″ on all sides. This overlap helps hold the print in place and avoids any gaps between the print and mat when framing.

Can the picture cut-out be non-rectangular?

Absolutely! Most mat board cutters can cut custom frame mat shapes for any type of insert. We can even cut multiple openings in the frame matting. When you start with the uncut piece of mat board, the possibilities are endless. If you’re not sure where to buy picture frame mats, we can help.

We made a double-layered photo mat with a 4×6 photo window opening and a round opening to hold a medallion. The top mat is dimpled like a real golf ball, the bottom mat is a dark, forest green.

What about custom photo mat imprinting?

Adding your logo, design, or message to a frame mat is easy and adds that extra bit of personalization. It’s the perfect addition for frames that are being given as gifts, for framing diplomas or certificates, or even as a prize at a tournament or silent auction.

We can add a foil stamped imprint to any photo mat. While gold and silver imprints are the most popular, we have more than 20 foil colors to choose from.

Picture frame mats with foil stamped logos. — A sample collection of custom imprinted photo mats. From top: white on navy blue mat; gold on green mat; black on cream mat.

We can help with your photo mat needs.

Want to learn more? Read our beginner’s guide to mat board. Whether you need something completely custom, or are simply in need of a blank photo mat, we can help. Our USA-made picture frame mat inserts are available with low minimums and attentive customer service. Find your photo frame mat or give us a call at (800) 346-3063.

Category: Photo Mats

Mat Boards & Picture Frame Mats: A Beginner’s Guide