Matting: Is it just a piece of cardboard?

If you’ve ever gone to a picture framer before, you will have heard them talking about matboards or mounts. A matboard is the material used to surround your artwork. It serves a practical purpose as well as decorative, but why does it cost that much? Surely it’s just a piece of cardboard? Not quite, in this article, we look at what a matboard is, what it’s made of, and the different types of matboards and when to use them.

1. Standard Matboard:

Standard matboard is the most common type of matboard used in picture framing. It is made from wood pulp or cotton fibres and comes in various colours and textures. standard matboards are an affordable option that provides basic protection for your artwork, but they may not be suitable for more valuable or delicate pieces.

2. Conservation Matboard:

Conservation matboards are a higher-quality matboard that is designed to protect artwork from damage caused by environmental factors such as light, humidity, and pollutants. It is made from acid-free materials and comes in a range of colours. Conservation matboards are more expensive than standard matboards, but they are worthwhile investments for preserving valuable or sentimental artwork.

3. Museum Matboard:

Museum matboards are the highest quality matboards available and are designed for use in archival-quality framing. It is made from 100% cotton fibres and is acid-free, lignin-free and Ph Neutral. Museum matboards provide the highest level of protection for artwork and is ideal for framing valuable or historic pieces.

4. Decorative matboard:

Decorative Matboards are used when a standard matboard just falls a little flat. These matboards come in a wide range of colours and have different textured finishes which include suede and cotton. Suede matboards have a soft, velvety texture that adds a luxurious touch to framed artwork. They work well for framing artwork with warm tones, such as landscapes, portraits, and still-life paintings. Cotton Matboards, on the other hand, have a more natural, textured look that works well with a variety of artwork styles. They are a good choice for framing black and white photographs, fine art prints and watercolour paintings.

When selecting a matboard for your picture framing project, it is important to consider the quality and value of the artwork, as well as your personal style and preferences. A professional picture framer can help guide you in selecting the right type of matboard for your needs and ensure that your artwork is protected and presented in the best possible way.