You just bought a beautiful watercolor painting from a local street artist. Now comes the hard part. How do you actually display this delicate creation in your living room? Pinning a raw piece of paper directly against a glass enclosure never looks impressive. That is when you might start wondering exactly what is a mat board and what purpose it serves. Adding a high-quality mat board instantly transforms your simple weekend find into a professional gallery display.

The Anatomy of Proper Framing

The Purpose of a Paper Border

Simply said, a mat board is a heavy piece of paper based material that is placed directly on top of your artwork. It serves two very specific purposes. First and foremost, it provides a blank canvas for the human eye to rest on. It creates the much needed visual difference between the vibrant colors of your piece and the dry, bare walls.

According to fundamental color theory principles, you must give the main subject of the painting enough room to breathe. Take a look at popular design boards on Pinterest for visual inspiration. Interior decorators tend to use oversized borders to highlight a small pencil sketch perfectly.

Protecting Your Precious Memories

There is also a very practical reason for purchasing this type of insert. A thick mat board border separates your precious photograph from the enclosing glass. In high humidity areas, photos that are pressed directly on the glass tend to absorb the moisture and stick to the surface. Leaving this kind of pocket of air will ensure that your cherished family memories remain exactly as they are for decades.

Finding the Perfect Match for Your Artwork

Sizing Your Display Properly

It may seem daunting to pick the right size for your mat board. A great rule of thumb is to leave two to three inches of extra space on all sides of the image. An 8x10 photo placed in an 11x14 enclosure looks absolutely stunning. We have a great variety of colorful photo mats in our collection to bring out the best in any painting in your house.

You should choose a border that will draw attention to a certain secondary color in the art piece. A light cream or a bold black accent will create an elegant contrast to the main subject.

Elevating Your Home Decor

Quality Craftsmanship Matters

Your favorite painting deserves to look exactly as good as it feels. As a leading provider of custom frames online across the United States, Art To Frames meticulously constructs each order according to your exact specifications. We understand the importance of pairing the perfect picture frames with the right inner mat board to properly accent your overall decor.

We are incredibly proud of our manufacturing process. We hope that you will take the time to stop by our primary production facility at 15 River St., New Haven, CT 06513 to see our talented team at work.

Final Thoughts on Your Next Project

Furnishing your bare walls should be a fun and exciting adventure. Adding a beautiful mat board to your custom layout will give your favorite painting the professional polished look that it always deserved. After seeing the end result, you will no longer consider putting your raw print in a simple enclosure ever again.

We are always here to help you put together the perfect display in your living room. The fastest way to learn more about our custom sizing options is to visit our Contact Us page and reach out to our friendly team of designers today.