The Photographers Secret Weapon - Picture Frame Mats

Learn the basics about picture frame mats and why they're so popular among photographers.

Picture frame mats are a wonderful way to make your framed photos look amazing. If you’ve never used a mat and you’re looking for a simple way to make your photos look even better, then you should definitely consider using mats. Picture frame mats add depth to your photo and can help accent specific colors to really showcase your artwork beautifully.

Mats are super versatile and make a noticeable difference in your finished framing project.

What will a picture frame mat do for your photo? Here are three simple ways matting can make a difference with your photo:

• Mats can help in framing pictures or artwork in odd sizes
• Mats offer unique and different ways to show off your creativity
• Mats can help your photograph stand out

If you want to avoid the expense of a custom frame but have a picture or piece of artwork in a non-standard size, picture frame mats can solve your problem. A picture frame mat goes inside your frame, between the photo and the glass, and surrounds the photo like an inner frame giving it a professional finished look. The benefit of mats is that they can be cut to fit the size of any picture or piece of artwork. Picture frame mats can take any non-standard size picture and make it fit into a ready made standard sized frame, saving you the expense of a custom frame. Mats can be cut to fit any size frame, whether a ready made frame or custom frame and are the perfect way to enhance your picture or artwork.

Mats are also popular for displaying more photos in a smaller space like collage frames or other multiple opening frames like double or triple picture frames.
Personalization is another great benefit of picture frame mats. Mats are great for personalizing your picture frame with special messages, whimsical notes, drawings or even signatures. Mats can be used for personalizing frames that display important events like weddings, anniversary parties, graduations or even special vacations.

Using picture frame mats can also help you better express your creativity. Mats can be cut many different ways and are available in a wide variety of colors so you can create a truly stunning photo display. A mat will help set off frames in just about any color from white picture frames to black, blue or even red picture frames.

Mats can serve another purpose besides adding to the eye appeal and personalization of your picture. Mats will protect your photos from touching the glass of the picture frame. This is important because over time moisture exposure can damage your photo by causing your photo to stick to the glass. If you really want to protect your photos or artwork long term, you should consider using conservation techniques and archival products for all your framing. These products do not contain chemicals that would degrade your photos over time.

Picture frame mats have so many benefits the only real downside is that it costs a little extra time and money to buy the mat. But even that is small as there are machine pre-cut mats for common picture frame sizes that make mats very affordable and easy to find. A non-standard mat for a unique size, however, will require a little additional cost because it has to be hand cut but is almost always well worth it.

One thing to be aware of when using multiple picture mats is to avoid non-glare glass (also known as anti-reflective (AR) glass). Using 2 or more mats with non-glare glass may make your picture appear fuzzy. The extra thickness of using multiple mats creates an extra distance between the non-glare glass and the photo causing the photo to look diffused.

So just remember these two tips- never use non-glare glass when using multiple mats and buy pre-cut mats if you want to save a little money.

Once you try your first picture frame mat, you’ll be sure to love the look a mat can add to your favorite photo. No wonder picture frame mats are so popular by professional photographers -they really add a finished look to any picture. Hopefully this article has helped you see the benefit of mats and will help to encourage you to try one with your next picture frame.

Article Tags: Picture Frame Mats, Picture Frame, Frame Mats, Custom Frame, Using Multiple, Non-glare Glass

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