What Is Picture Frame Matting?
Matting refers to the border placed between the artwork and the frame. It creates space around the artwork and prevents the glass or acrylic glazing from touching the piece directly.
Need help installing matting? 👉 See our step-by-step matting installation guide.
Mat boards serve both visual and protective purposes. They help draw attention to the artwork while also protecting delicate pieces from moisture, condensation, and damage caused by contact with glass.
Matting can also make smaller artwork appear larger and more important by giving it breathing room within the frame.
Choosing the Right Mat Color
One of the most important decisions when selecting matting is choosing the right color. The mat should enhance the artwork without distracting from it.
Neutral Mat Colors
Neutral mat colors such as white, off-white, cream, and light gray are the most popular choices. These colors work well with almost any artwork and help create a clean, gallery-style presentation.
Neutral mats are especially common for photography, art prints, and black-and-white images.
Colorful Mats
Sometimes a mat can pick up subtle tones from the artwork itself. For example, a mat that reflects a color found in the artwork can create a cohesive and balanced look.
This approach works well for colorful prints or paintings where you want the mat to complement the piece rather than contrast it.
Dark Mats
Dark mats can add drama and contrast, especially for modern artwork or black-and-white photography. However, darker mats should be used carefully so they don’t overpower the artwork.
How Wide Should Matting Be?
The width of the mat border affects how the framed piece feels visually.
Common mat widths include:
• 1.5–2 inches for smaller frames
• 2–3 inches for medium artwork
• 3–4 inches for larger pieces
Wider mats often create a more professional gallery appearance. They allow the artwork to stand out while creating a sense of balance between the frame and the piece inside it.
Single Mat vs Double Mat
Matting can be done with either a single mat board or multiple layers.
Single Mat
A single mat provides a clean and simple presentation. This is the most common choice for modern framing styles and works well with photography and minimalist artwork.
You can browse our standard single mat board openings or order custom single mat boards cut to your exact size.
Double Mat
Double matting uses two layers of mat board. The top mat contains the opening for the artwork, while the second mat creates a thin accent border.
You can also explore our custom double mat board option to create a layered presentation that fits your artwork perfectly.
Double mats add depth and can introduce a subtle color accent that complements the artwork.
Conservation and Acid-Free Matting
If you are framing valuable artwork or photographs, it’s important to choose conservation-quality mat board.
Conservation mat boards are acid-free and lignin-free, which helps prevent yellowing and deterioration over time. These mats are designed to protect artwork for many years without damaging the paper or print.
This is especially important when framing:
• vintage photographs
• limited edition prints
• original artwork
• historical documents
When to Use Matting (and When Not To)
Matting works best when the artwork benefits from additional space around it.
Matting is commonly used for:
• photographs
• art prints
• posters
• drawings
• certificates
However, some artwork—such as canvas paintings or gallery wraps—often looks better without matting because the artwork already fills the frame visually.
Need Help Choosing the Right Matting?
Choosing the perfect matting can sometimes be more complicated than it seems. The color, width, and mat style all influence how the finished framed piece will look once it’s on the wall.
If you're unsure which matting option will work best for your artwork, photographs, or prints, our team can help guide you through the process.
Through our custom framing consultation service, we help customers choose the ideal mat color, mat width, and frame combination to create a professional and balanced presentation.
👉 Schedule a framing consultation and let our experts help you design the perfect frame for your artwork.
Find the Perfect Frame and Matting
The right matting can completely transform how artwork or photographs look in a frame. Whether you prefer a simple single mat or a layered double mat, the right choice will enhance the artwork while protecting it for years to come.
Browse our collection of custom picture frames and matting options to find the perfect presentation for your artwork.
