Matting - Simplicity to Creativitey
MAT DESIGN IDEAS
When mats were first invented, they had two core functions. One was to provide an area for visual relief so the art could be viewed without the distraction of the nearby surroundings. Secondly, the depth of the mat also serves as a spacer to keep the glass from touching the
face of the art. In the past few decades mats have taken on a more decorative role. Since mats are now available in many colors, patterns and textures, they are used to match colors in the art and to coordinate with the room decor.
Mat borders are also an important consideration. It is best to avoid having mat borders the same width as the frame surrounding them.
Generally it will look best if the mat is somewhat wider than the frame. Too narrow a border can bring down the perceived value of the art and it tends to look crowded in the frame.
Most mats have square or rectangular window openings, but other cuts are possible. The opening can conform to irregular art shapes. An angled corner (octagon) can cover damaged corners on the art, etc.
When mats were first invented, they had two core functions. One was to provide an area for visual relief so the art could be viewed without the distraction of the nearby surroundings. Secondly, the depth of the mat also serves as a spacer to keep the glass from touching the
face of the art. In the past few decades mats have taken on a more decorative role. Since mats are now available in many colors, patterns and textures, they are used to match colors in the art and to coordinate with the room decor.
Mat borders are also an important consideration. It is best to avoid having mat borders the same width as the frame surrounding them.
Generally it will look best if the mat is somewhat wider than the frame. Too narrow a border can bring down the perceived value of the art and it tends to look crowded in the frame.
Most mats have square or rectangular window openings, but other cuts are possible. The opening can conform to irregular art shapes. An angled corner (octagon) can cover damaged corners on the art, etc.
Single Mat
When mats were first introduced to framing, they were all a single layer. Today it is much more common to use two or three layers. Single mats are probably used most on high end art where the frame designs are simple and classic, not decorative. Single mats also have application when matting vintage, classic or antique pieces as it helps them look authentic to their era.
When mats were first introduced to framing, they were all a single layer. Today it is much more common to use two or three layers. Single mats are probably used most on high end art where the frame designs are simple and classic, not decorative. Single mats also have application when matting vintage, classic or antique pieces as it helps them look authentic to their era.
Double Mat
Double mats allow you to add an accent color that can be used to help draw attention to the art by outlining it. However, a double mat can be made using two of the same color for a more subtle look.
Double mats allow you to add an accent color that can be used to help draw attention to the art by outlining it. However, a double mat can be made using two of the same color for a more subtle look.
Triple Mat
When using three layers, you have even more opportunity to use color, but once again all the layers can be the same or you can sandwich an accent color between two of the same color.
When using three layers, you have even more opportunity to use color, but once again all the layers can be the same or you can sandwich an accent color between two of the same color.
Mat with Fillet
Fillets are narrow mouldings used as an accent, either inside the lip of a frame or more often in mat openings. Fillets have more depth than mats and finishes comparable to frames so they are useful to coordinate with the frame for a highly customized look.
Fillets are narrow mouldings used as an accent, either inside the lip of a frame or more often in mat openings. Fillets have more depth than mats and finishes comparable to frames so they are useful to coordinate with the frame for a highly customized look.
Mat with Spacers
Spacers can be added between mat layers for extra depth. The spacers can bring out inherent depth in the art, such as a
landscape with perspective. It can also add actual depth to accommodate an object or dimensional art.
Spacers can be added between mat layers for extra depth. The spacers can bring out inherent depth in the art, such as a
landscape with perspective. It can also add actual depth to accommodate an object or dimensional art.
Custom Openings
Although most mat openings are square or rectangular, shapes can be cut to mimic irregular art shapes. Special cuts are not just used for appearance. For example, angled corners (octagonal cuts) can hide dented or broken corners on the art, etc.
Although most mat openings are square or rectangular, shapes can be cut to mimic irregular art shapes. Special cuts are not just used for appearance. For example, angled corners (octagonal cuts) can hide dented or broken corners on the art, etc.
Multiple Openings
Mats can be cut with more than one window opening. Doing so allows you to place more than one picture in a
frame. This works especially well with things such as family or vacation photos, stamp collections or anything else you want to display together.
Mats can be cut with more than one window opening. Doing so allows you to place more than one picture in a
frame. This works especially well with things such as family or vacation photos, stamp collections or anything else you want to display together.
Fabric Mats
Fabric covered mats can add a richness to your frame designs that paper surfaced mats may not provide. Fabrics can be used on art, photos, etc. They are nearly always used when framing objects. When choosing which fabric to use, consider the subject matter, era, and be sure it sets off the item being framed rather than blending so perfectly that it gets lost in the mat.
Fabric covered mats can add a richness to your frame designs that paper surfaced mats may not provide. Fabrics can be used on art, photos, etc. They are nearly always used when framing objects. When choosing which fabric to use, consider the subject matter, era, and be sure it sets off the item being framed rather than blending so perfectly that it gets lost in the mat.
Patterns and Textures
In addition to fabric textured mats, other mats are available with printed patterns or embossed textures. These
are used for decorative purposes only. Be careful to avoid mats that distract from the item you are framing.
In addition to fabric textured mats, other mats are available with printed patterns or embossed textures. These
are used for decorative purposes only. Be careful to avoid mats that distract from the item you are framing.
Bottom-Weighted
A bottom-weighted mat is one where the border below the image is wider than the borders above and beside it. This technique is used both for aesthetic and functional reasons. When an image has darker colors, larger shapes, or more texture or pattern in the lower half than it does in the upper half, it can look like it is sinking into the mat once it is framed. By increasing the width of the lower mat border, the completed piece looks more balanced. If the image itself has a larger margin below than on the other sides, it is necessary to bottom-weight the mat in order to avoid cutting the art.
A bottom-weighted mat is one where the border below the image is wider than the borders above and beside it. This technique is used both for aesthetic and functional reasons. When an image has darker colors, larger shapes, or more texture or pattern in the lower half than it does in the upper half, it can look like it is sinking into the mat once it is framed. By increasing the width of the lower mat border, the completed piece looks more balanced. If the image itself has a larger margin below than on the other sides, it is necessary to bottom-weight the mat in order to avoid cutting the art.
Creative Mat Designs
No matter what type of matting you are using a creative design can enhance any piece that you are custom framing.Creative design cuts and textured matting can truly enhance any piece you are custom framing. This design shows how creative mat cuts not only brings the time period into the piece but also adds an element of visual appeal.
No matter what type of matting you are using a creative design can enhance any piece that you are custom framing.Creative design cuts and textured matting can truly enhance any piece you are custom framing. This design shows how creative mat cuts not only brings the time period into the piece but also adds an element of visual appeal.
Pinstripe Sports Matting
When it comes to sports memorabilia, selecting the a matting design & color is important.Using pinstripe matting for your New York Yankee piece truly enhances the design and visual appeal of this Derek Jeter autographed photo. Not all Yankee pieces call for pinstripe matting but we felt this piece adds to the photograph.
When it comes to sports memorabilia, selecting the a matting design & color is important.Using pinstripe matting for your New York Yankee piece truly enhances the design and visual appeal of this Derek Jeter autographed photo. Not all Yankee pieces call for pinstripe matting but we felt this piece adds to the photograph.
Using Matting to Help Create a Shadowbox
In some cases matting plays a role of not only design but structure. Pictured is a three baseball shadow box signed by New York Mets greatest pitchers Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan & Jerry Koosman, we used the pinstripe matting to lift the display and setting the autographed baseballs back to create a shadowbox.
In some cases matting plays a role of not only design but structure. Pictured is a three baseball shadow box signed by New York Mets greatest pitchers Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan & Jerry Koosman, we used the pinstripe matting to lift the display and setting the autographed baseballs back to create a shadowbox.
Using Matting to Help Create a Shadowbox