Whether to frame your piece with a mat or not is often a difficult decision. But to help decide what will surround your artwork (if anything), here are a few things to consider.
1. What’s the size of your piece?
- For small pieces, a wide, textured mat can actually draw attention to the finer details and boost the impact of the piece.
- Larger artworks and pieces might look great framed just as they are going all the way to the full edge of the frame.
- Pieces of any size can be highlighted by a mat proportional to their size, but some pieces may not require a mat.
- Frame Warehouse can always help advise you on the ideal mat size for any piece of custom framed artwork.
2. What is your piece made of?
- If you are framing a large poster, no mat allows a more modern, edgy look.
- Photographs, whether large or small, are often complemented by the addition of a mat.
- A mat can give an elevated or sort of “focused in” look to the photograph.
- Custom framing heirlooms, textiles or items other than canvas or paper usually will benefit from a “floating” mat. This is a matting process that involves attaching the item to a foam core to “lift” the item and mounting it to a white mat. It gives the effect that the item is suspended.
- Original artwork or signed pieces or documents and news clippings almost always shine with a mat that provides that added touch of elegance.
3. Where will your piece hang?
- Mats come in a variety of sizes and can be wide or narrow and virtually any color. Mats can also come in various textures. This makes it easy to blend your final framed piece with the walls, rooms and other hanging items in your home.
Be sure to always remember that a mat will add to the final dimensions of your finished piece (so if you’re artwork is 11×14″, you final framed piece with a mat could be around 17×20″) and make sure that the space in which you are hanging your artwork can accommodate the size increase.
Frame Warehouse has 16 convenient locations and can assist you with any of your framing needs. See our website for a variety of over 80 frames or visit us in person to speak with our friendly staff about what you are looking for in your home decor!
