Choosing Mat Board: What You Really Need to Know

Some people may consider mat board a framing accessory that is optional; however, mat board protects your artwork from damage.  Mat boards provide a spacing element for your artwork; they  keep the surface from coming in contact with the glass or plexiglass covering. Humidity from the climate or from home air conditioning systems will eventually cause artwork to stick to the glazing if they have prolonged contact. Even in drier climates with low humidity, matboards should be installed during the framing process.

All matboards were not created equal. Mat board is available in a variety of sizes, colors and quality. Purchasing quality products within your budget that were designed for your specific art pieces will give you the best result. You can protect your artwork and provide an appropriate background with matboard.

How do I chose a mat boards?
Choosing which matboards are best for your project primarily means evaluating the lignon content. Lignon is a natural acidic component in wood (paper). A high acid content means that the signs of aging will show up sooner. The integrity of the piece can be compromised if it dries out and becomes brittle. You may also notice yellowing.

Archival Quality products are made with 100% pure cotton; these are normally reserved for pieces that require total protection from the aging effects of acids. Old documents, photos and art pieces are mounted using this matboard. The main purpose is function and these are predominantly neutral whites and off-whites. You can expect to pay more for archival quality selections.

Acid-free or conservatory mat boards are almost 100% acid-free. That means they will give you the next best option to archival quality products. Acid-free matboard comes in almost umlimited color choices. The benefit of adding color is that you can add an element of contrast to accentuate your artwork. The background becomes a part of the piece, adding texture and interest.

Regular matboard is the least expensive option. These products are offered in a vast array of colors to compliment your art pieces. The acid content can vary from just a little to having the full natural lignon content. Overtime, leeching acid will age anything with constant contact.

Benefits of Using Acid Free Mat Board

Important artwork can benefit from the use of acid free mat board as opposed to acidic mat board. There are variations in the types of acid-free mat board available depending on the materials used. Quality varies from mat boards made of wood fibers that have been treated to neutralize acid to mat boards that are made of cotton rag that are completely acid-free.




Consistent Fade-Resistant Color
Acid free mat board are composed entirely of either alpha cellulose, wood fibers or cotton rag, resulting in consistent colors throughout when cut. Acidic mats composed of acidic wood pulp have less bright and consistent coloring than acid free mat boards, and are more susceptible to fading and yellowing over time. Either type of mat  board can fade with exposure to sunlight if not mounted under UV-protected glass.

Durability
Acid in mat boards and in their environments causes their materials to decompose, with acidic mats breaking down more quickly than acid-free mats. Over time, decomposition causes mat board fibers to weaken, fray and discolor.

Effect on Artwork
Mat boards that are not acid-free function well for temporary displays, but acid free mat boards are best for preserving artwork over time because they are less susceptible to decomposition. The highest quality acid-free mat boards are often referred to as museum quality or archival mat boards because they can best assist in preserving framed items over time.

Because mat boards are in direct contact with the framed artwork, the acidity of the boards can also cause discoloration and damage to the artwork. For this reason, framers and galleries recommend acid free mat boards for use with original artwork or other framed items that are of monetary or sentimental value.