Why A Mat?

In our previous post we addressed the way we walk our customers through choosing a frame for their artwork. We invite our customers to have a conversation with us about the art, the room, and the various choices for custom framing.
There are many ways to frame a piece of art – and there is not only one right way. Mats serve a few purposes. They keep the art from touching the glass, they give the art a “quiet space” within a room, and they serve a decorative purpose by emphasizing colors. They can make the art come alive.

Protection
Mats serve a protective purpose by keeping your art from touching the glass. Temperature changes can cause condensation to form in the framing package. Although it may not be visible, even this minute amount of moisture can cause damage to your art. At some point in our lives, we have all seen a photograph that has become stuck to the glass. This is because of the build-up of condensation.

  • The art has uneven borders and will not properly fit into a frame without a mat.
  • Mats keep the glass from touching the art. This protects the art in a few ways.
    • Temperature changes can cause condensation to form in the framing package. Although it may not be visible, even this minute amount of moisture can cause damage to your art, such as mold.
    • Due to condensation, photographs that touch glass can stick over time.   

Space
Mats also serve to give the art space to breathe – not only in the frame, but in the room as well. Many times, we recommend a mat to allow the art to have some space before frame begins. Without this space the frame can compete with your art visually.
The purpose of a mat is also to allow the art to have its own space in a room. We often see art in galleries with white mats and natural wood frames hanging on white walls in barren rooms.

But we don’t live in galleries. We have furniture, windows, shelves with books and small items. Art in your home should have enough space to stand out and harmonize with the room’s other elements.

Color Can Be Subtle or Fun
When we help our customers choose mat colors we want their input. Your art may look beautiful with a hot pink mat, but if you hate hot pink you won’t want to hang the framed piece in your home. So, we have another conversation and then start working with you to find what color or colors work with the art and with your tastes.

While we take all the colors in the room into consideration, we also want this finished framed piece to last throughout the various rooms and homes you will be in.

At Gilded River, you will notice that we tend to pull several mats that work with the art and then we start to look at what works best for you as well as your art.

Proportions Matter
When you are standing at a counter and looking at a design that has a mat and frame, the mat may look too wide. Now we have another conversation. We will help you find mat width that will be appropriate for the size of your picture while considering the width of the outer frame.
Remember that looking at a corner sample while your eyes are 18-24” away is very different then stepping back and viewing it in your room at 4-6 feet away. Once again, we will work with you so that you are happy when you hang the framed piece on your wall.

Quality Matters as Well
At Gilded River we carry mats from three different companies. We only offer high quality acid-free mats that will protect your art and look great for years to come. We have a wide variety of colors and textures.

Visit Gilded River and See What We Can Do With Your Art