A matboard is a thin, flat board placed between your artwork and the glass of a frame. Matboards add visual space around the art, helping it “breathe” within the frame and drawing attention to the focal point. In short, a matboard protects your art, enhances its appearance, and extends its lifespan.

Why Is Matting For Artwork Important?

Matting plays a key role in both the protection and presentation of your artwork.

• Preservation: Matting keeps the artwork from touching the glass, reducing the risk of moisture damage or color transfer.

• Enhancing Aesthetics: The mat creates visual balance and draws the viewer's eye toward the artwork.

• Support and Structure: A matboard helps hold the art in place and adds stability within the frame.

Matting for artwork is especially important for photographs, prints, watercolors, and other delicate pieces that can be affected by humidity or pressure.

 

See how the Matboard.com community is styling their custom-cut mats!

Why Does Custom Matting For Pictures Matter?

Matboards are the secret ingredient to professional framing setups, serving three key functions to elevate any picture:

• Preservation: Keeping your photos from directly touching the glass, which can trap moisture and cause sticking or mold.

• Visual Appeal: Matboards add space, contrast, and a polished look to any piece.

• Structure: Proper mats provide and maintain structure, especially during transport or long-term display.

Whether you’re framing a family photo or a gallery-quality print, a matboard makes a significant difference in both longevity and visual impact.

What Is A Matboard Made Of? What Types of Matboard Materials Are Available?

Matboards come in a range of materials to meet your framing goals:

• Paperboard: Budget-friendly and ideal for temporary or casual displays.

• Alpha-cellulose: Acid-free and better suited for moderate preservation needs.

• Archival matboard: Made from 100% cotton or conservation-grade materials for gallery-quality longevity; best for valuable or irreplaceable artwork.

We proudly offer acid-free matboards from Crescent, ensuring each board delivers long-lasting protection and vibrant, true-to-color finishes.

Which Matboard Thickness Is Best? 

Matboards are typically available in 4-ply (standard), 6-ply, and 8-ply thicknesses.

• 4-ply (1.4mm) is the most common and works well for general framing, offering the perfect balance of sleekness and durability.

• 6-ply or 8-ply boards add visual depth and rigidity – often used for premium or gallery-style presentations.

Matboard.com uses acid-free, 4-ply Crescent matboards – a trusted name in archival-quality matboards. Each mat is precision-cut using computer-guided cutters to ensure clean edges and exact measurements every time.

Looking for custom matboard thickness or other configurations? Contact us today!

Which Mat Finish Should I Choose? How Many Matboard Finishes Are There?

Choosing the right mat finish is an essential step in the custom matting process. The right finish will amplify your artwork, affecting how light interacts with your frame and mat. Matboard.com offers a variety of finishes, but the most common options are: 

• Smooth: A clean and modern look, popular for photographs and simple art.

• Textured: Mat finishes like linen, suede, and yes – even basketball skin, add a tactile and artistic feel to your piece.

• Metallic or pearlized: These ethereal mat finishes effortlessly reflect light for added elegance. 

Shadow Box Vs. Frame: Which One Is Right For Your Display?

A standard frame is designed for flat items like photos, prints, or certificates and typically includes a matboard beneath glass for protection and presentation. Shadow boxes are deeper, providing space to showcase three-dimensional pieces such as keepsakes, layered artwork, or objects with texture. The added depth creates a visually striking display with room for creativity and storytelling.

Choose a frame for flat, two-dimensional art. Opt for a shadow box when your piece has depth, volume, or sentimental objects to feature.

Single Mat Vs. Double Mat: What’s The Best Choice For Your Artwork?

Single mats use one layer of matboard to border artwork, offering a clean, contemporary look. It’s clean, modern, and works well for minimalist displays or when the art is already visually complex.

Double mats layer a second matboard beneath the top mat, usually revealing a narrow 1/4" accent border. This technique invites more dimension, depth, and color contrast to enhance your piece and draw out specific tones in the artwork. 

Learn more about the best matboards for framing with Matboard.com