Mat Board Guide: How to Choose Matting for Your Frame

Matting is the border between your artwork and the frame. It does three things: it creates visual space so the piece doesn't feel crowded, it keeps artwork from touching the glazing (which prevents moisture damage), and it gives the finished frame a polished, intentional look. Here's how to choose the right one.

What Mat Board Does

Mat board is a thick, rigid paperboard with a precision-cut window that sits between your artwork and the glazing. The window shows your piece while the border covers the edges. Functionally, matting does a few important things: it prevents artwork from touching the acrylic (which causes sticking and moisture damage over time), it adds visual breathing room around the image, and it lets you use a slightly larger frame than your artwork requires, which is how you get that finished, gallery-quality look.

Single Mat or Double Mat

Single Mat

A single mat is one layer with one window opening. It's the most common option and works for the majority of framing projects: family photos, prints, posters, casual artwork, and everyday displays. Choose single matting when you want a clean, straightforward presentation without extra cost.

Double Mat (Layered Mat)

A double mat stacks two layers so a thin strip of the bottom mat (typically 1/4 inch) shows around the window opening. That small reveal adds depth and a touch of formality. It's the difference between a nice frame and one that looks professionally done. Double mats work well for formal presentations, valuable artwork, diplomas, and anything where you want an extra level of polish. Common combinations: white over navy, white over black, cream over gold, or two shades of the same color for a subtle layered effect.

How Wide Should the Mat Border Be

Mat border width is measured from the edge of your artwork to the inside edge of the frame. Wider borders create more breathing room and a more formal look. Narrower borders keep things tight and modern.

1.5 to 2 inches: Best for small frames (5×7, 8×10) and gallery wall groupings where you want frames close together.

2.5 to 3 inches: The most common range. Works for most frame sizes and artwork types. If you're unsure, start here.

3.5 inches and wider: Best for larger frames (20×24 and up) and pieces you want to give a dramatic, gallery-style presentation.

Bottom-Weighted Matting

Bottom-weighted matting adds a slightly wider border at the bottom (usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch more than the top and sides). This corrects an optical illusion where evenly bordered mats make the artwork look like it's sinking. Our designer offers a bottom-weighted toggle so you can see the difference and decide which you prefer.

Choosing a Mat Color

When in doubt, go white. It's the most popular mat color for a reason: it's clean, neutral, and works with virtually any frame or artwork. Beyond white: cream and off-white feel warmer and suit vintage photos or traditional pieces. Black creates high contrast and reads as modern. Gray pairs well with black-and-white photography. If you want a colored mat, pull a secondary color from the artwork rather than the dominant one. This creates coordination without the mat competing with the piece for attention.

Standard vs. Acid-Free Mat Board

Standard mat board works for everyday framing: posters, casual prints, and pieces you may rotate out. Acid-free mat board costs a bit more but prevents the yellowing and deterioration that standard boards cause over time. If the piece matters to you: original artwork, family photographs, signed items, collectibles, or anything you want to look the same in 10 years: use acid-free. All our mat options are acid-free by default.

Other Matting Options

Multiple openings let you display several pieces in one frame: common for diploma-and-photo combinations, photo collages, and series artwork. Non-rectangular openings (oval, circular) are available for pieces where a shaped window looks better than a standard rectangle. Fabric-wrapped mats in linen or suede add texture and a premium feel for wedding invitations, certificates, and formal displays.

Mat Board and Frame Style

Matching mat to frame style: ornate or traditional frames pair with cream or neutral mats and often look best with double matting. Modern and minimalist frames stay clean with white, black, or gray single mats. Rustic wood frames work with warm tones like cream, tan, or natural. For shadowbox frames, mat color matters more because the depth makes the mat border more visible inside the frame.

Getting Started

Use the frame designer to preview different mat colors and widths on your actual artwork. The preview updates in real time as you switch between single and double matting, adjust border widths, and change colors. For related guidance, see our glazing guide and gallery wall guide.