Matte - Matt - Mat USA - Picture Framing Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Picture Framing Terms [1]

Matte - Matt - Mat A border that can be selected to surround a framed artwork between the art and the frame. The mat\'s purpose is create space between the frame and the art, and highlight the artwork. There are countless colors of mats to choose from, and the best choice will draw out the image without distracting from it.

Mats come in a wide variety of makes and styles. Their thickness (identified by ply: 4-ply, 8-ply) affects how much of the white or black core will be visible in the bevelled edge around the image. They may be conservation-grade, which means they are acid-free and will not fade, yellow or cause negative chemical reactions with the artwork.

In addition, mats can be layered in a double- or triple-mat border. In this case, a "reveal" of the bottom mat or two lower mats - generally 1/4 inch - provides additional decoration to the artwork. This is ideal if the artist or collector would like to highlight multiple colors or shades within the art.

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