Using a frame mat is a fundamental step in custom framing that enhances the presentation and preserves your artwork or photographs. A mat, also known as a matboard or passe-partout, provides visual space between the artwork and the frame, creating a professional and polished look while also protecting the piece from direct contact with the frame glass.
Understanding the Purpose of a Frame Mat
A mat serves several key functions in framing:
- Aesthetic Enhancement: It draws the eye to the artwork, providing a visual border that can complement or contrast with the piece. The white space helps the artwork "breathe" and prevents it from looking cramped within the frame.
- Protection: By creating a separation between the artwork's surface and the glass, a mat prevents the artwork from sticking to the glass, which can cause damage over time due to humidity and temperature changes. It also acts as a barrier against dust and environmental pollutants.
- Archival Preservation: High-quality, acid-free mats prevent the degradation of artwork. Standard paper and wood products contain acids that can migrate to your artwork, causing yellowing, brittleness, and fading—a process known as acid burn. Acid-free or archival mats prevent this.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Frame Mat
Framing with a mat involves careful positioning and securing of your artwork. Here's how to do it:
1. Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, ensure you have all necessary components:
- Artwork: Your photo, print, certificate, or document.
- Frame Mat: Cut to the appropriate outer dimensions to fit your frame and with an inner opening (window) sized to frame your artwork.
- Backing Board: An acid-free board (like foam core or matboard) that sits behind your artwork for support.
- Frame: The outer structure.
- Acid-Free Hinging Tape: Essential for securing the artwork. This tape is specially designed not to damage or degrade your artwork over time.
- Gloves: Cotton or nitrile gloves are recommended to prevent oils from your hands from transferring to your artwork or mat.
- Clean Workspace: A clean, flat surface is crucial to avoid dust or debris.
2. Prepare Your Artwork and Mat
Ensure both your artwork and mat are clean and free of dust. Use a soft brush or compressed air if necessary. If your mat has a "show side" (the side you want to face forward) and a "back side," make sure you're working with the correct orientation.
3. Position and Secure Your Artwork
This is a critical step, ensuring the artwork is centered and stable.
- Place the Mat: Lay your mat face down on your clean working surface.
- Position Artwork: Carefully place your artwork face down on the mat, aligning it within the mat's opening. You'll be looking at the back of your artwork and the back of the mat. Adjust until the artwork appears perfectly centered and straight through the mat's window.
- Create Hinges with Tape: To secure the artwork, use acid-free hinging tape.
- Peel a piece of hinging tape from its paper backing.
- Place the artwork face up, then attach the hinging tape to the underside (back) of your artwork, typically along the top edge. Ensure the tacky side of the tape is exposed where it will adhere to the backing.
- Carefully align the artwork with the mat opening again.
- With the artwork correctly positioned, press the tape firmly to attach the artwork to the backing board or the back of the mat itself (if the mat is hinged to the backing board, which is common).
- It's best practice to use two small "hinges" along the top edge of the artwork, allowing the artwork to hang freely rather than being fully taped down on all sides. This allows for natural expansion and contraction of the artwork due to humidity changes, preventing buckling or creasing.
4. Assemble the Frame
Once your artwork is securely attached to the mat/backing assembly:
- Stack Components: Place the framed artwork and mat (artwork facing up) into the frame. Then, place the backing board on top of the artwork, followed by any frame spacers or hardware.
- Secure Backing: Use the frame's flexible tabs, turn buttons, or glazier's points to secure the backing board firmly in place.
- Clean Glass: Before closing the frame, ensure the inside of the frame glass is spotless to avoid trapped dust or smudges.
Benefits of Using a Frame Mat
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Visual Enhancement | Creates a sense of depth and focus, guiding the viewer's eye to the artwork. It provides a visual break from the frame. |
| Physical Protection | Prevents the artwork from touching the glass, eliminating the risk of sticking, mold growth, or damage from condensation. |
| Archival Preservation | When acid-free or museum-grade mats are used, they act as a barrier, protecting the artwork from acidic components found in non-archival materials and environmental pollutants, preventing yellowing and degradation. |
| Size Adjustment | Allows you to fit smaller artwork into a larger standard frame, offering flexibility in display options. |
| Professional Finish | Adds a sophisticated and polished look, elevating the perceived value and quality of the framed piece. |
Types of Matboards
Mats come in various qualities, primarily distinguished by their material composition and archival properties:
- Standard Mats (Paper-based): Made from wood pulp, these are the most economical but contain lignin, an acid that can damage artwork over time. Suitable for temporary framing or non-valuable prints.
- Conservation Mats (Alpha Cellulose): Made from purified wood pulp that has had lignin removed and is buffered to be acid-free. A good balance of quality and cost for most artwork.
- Museum Mats (Cotton Rag): Made from 100% cotton fibers, which are naturally lignin-free and inherently acid-free. These are the highest quality and offer the best long-term preservation for valuable or irreplaceable artwork.
By properly using a frame mat, you not only enhance the visual appeal of your framed pieces but also ensure their longevity and protection for years to come.
