How To Know What Mat To Use For Artwork

With a piece that is dark you will want to go with a darker mat color for the top mat and vice versa.

How to know what mat to use for artwork.

Add the window and border measurements for the total mat board size. Take the ruler and make straight lines from one mark to the other until there is a rectangle drawn in the center of the mat board. Keep in mind that this adds an additional 4 to the height and width of your framed art. Check to ensure that the art print or artwork fits inside the rectangle.

From each corner of the mat board use the solution number to measure out the width of the frame and mark it with a pencil. Close the mat board on top of the backing board. If the piece has a focal point and there are background colors you can help bring the eye to the focal point by choosing a mat color that goes with the background color. It should be able to close like a book.

For artwork 18 and under in height or width we suggest using a 2 wide mat. For artwork over 18 in width of height we suggest using a 2 5 or 3 mat to fit the size of your piece. The use of crisp white mats unifies a colorful gallery of framed pieces of art. Use a slightly warmer or natural white colored mat board for color or sepia toned work use a bright white mat board for black white artworks or photographs etc personal preference really does come into play based on the image itself your tastes the decor of the room in which you re planning on hanging a framed piece.

If you re not showing any border or edges on the side of the artwork you may want to subtract inch 0 64 cm from each side inch or 1 27 cm total for both length and width. Cut a piece of linen hanging tape of about 4 shorter than your mat board. Tape the mat board and backing board together. This will give you a neat edge underneath your mat board.

If you are getting a mat from a professional framer make sure it has no acid in it. While there are some standard practices regarding mat board color choice i e. Go for a rag or alpha mat for artwork you want to protect forever. 2 mat finished size.