Walk into any professional gallery or museum and you'll notice that photographs and artwork are rarely placed directly against the glass. Instead, a mat board (also called a mount or passepartout) creates a border between the image and the frame. This seemingly simple addition transforms the presentation, adds visual depth, and plays a crucial role in preserving your photographs for generations.
Understanding matting is one of the most valuable skills for anyone serious about displaying photographs beautifully. This guide explores the purposes, principles, and practical considerations of photo matting.
Why Use Mat Boards?
Matting serves multiple purposes that benefit both the aesthetic presentation and long-term preservation of your photographs.
Aesthetic Benefits
- Creates visual breathing room: A mat provides space between the image edge and frame, preventing a cramped appearance
- Draws the eye inward: The border naturally focuses attention on the photograph itself
- Adds perceived value: Matted photographs appear more intentional and professionally presented
- Provides design flexibility: Mat colour and width can complement or contrast with both image and decor
Preservation Benefits
- Separates photo from glass: Prevents condensation and humidity from directly contacting the print
- Allows air circulation: Creates a buffer space that helps regulate moisture
- Protects from adhesion: Photos can stick to glass over time; mats prevent this damage
- Archival protection: Quality acid-free mats buffer against environmental acids
For irreplaceable or valuable photographs, matting isn't just aesthetic—it's essential protection. The gap created by a mat board is your photo's primary defence against humidity damage and glass adhesion.
Types of Mat Board
Not all mat boards are created equal. Understanding the differences helps you choose appropriately for each project.
Paper Mats (Economy)
- Made from wood pulp paper
- Most affordable option
- Contains acids that can yellow and damage photos over time
- Suitable only for temporary displays or reproductions
Acid-Free Mats (Standard Archival)
- Chemically treated to neutralise acids
- Will not yellow or deteriorate as quickly as paper mats
- Good choice for most home display purposes
- May still contain lignin (wood component) that degrades over decades
Rag Mats (Museum Quality)
- Made from 100% cotton rag fibres
- Completely acid-free and lignin-free
- Used by museums and galleries for permanent collections
- Essential for valuable photographs, artwork, and heirlooms
- Higher cost reflects superior longevity
Key Takeaway
For family photos you want to preserve for future generations, invest in acid-free mats at minimum. For truly irreplaceable images—wedding portraits, ancestral photographs, professional prints—only museum-quality rag mats provide adequate protection.
Choosing Mat Proportions
The width of your mat significantly impacts the overall presentation. While personal preference plays a role, these guidelines help achieve balanced results.
Standard Proportions
- Minimum mat width: 5cm (2 inches) provides adequate visual separation
- Standard mat width: 7-10cm (3-4 inches) suits most photographs
- Gallery proportions: Mat width equal to 10-15% of the image's shorter dimension
- Small photos: May benefit from proportionally wider mats to create presence
The Bottom-Weighted Tradition
Traditionally, mats feature a slightly wider border at the bottom than at the top and sides. This "bottom weighting" (typically 1-2cm extra) compensates for an optical illusion that makes evenly-bordered mats appear bottom-heavy.
- This convention comes from centuries of art presentation
- Modern tastes sometimes favour equal borders for a contemporary look
- Either approach is acceptable—choose based on your aesthetic preference
Selecting Mat Colours
Colour choice affects how viewers perceive your photograph. The mat should enhance the image, not compete with it.
Safe Choices
- White and off-white: The most versatile options that suit virtually any photograph and interior
- Warm whites/cream: Complement warm-toned images and traditional decor
- Cool whites: Suit contemporary spaces and cool-toned photographs
- Black: Creates dramatic presentation; works well with high-contrast images
Colour Mats
When considering coloured mats:
- Pull from the image: Choose a colour that appears in the photograph for cohesion
- Consider dominance: The mat colour shouldn't overpower the image itself
- Think long-term: Trendy colours may date; neutrals remain timeless
- Room context: Consider how the matted piece will work with your wall colour and decor
When in doubt, choose a neutral white or off-white mat. Ninety percent of professionally framed photographs use neutral mats because they never compete with the image and work in any setting.
Double and Triple Matting
Multiple layers of mat board create additional visual interest and depth.
Double Matting
- An inner mat (accent mat) is visible as a thin border around the photo
- The outer mat provides the main border visible beneath the frame
- Adds elegance and draws the eye toward the image
- Inner mat typically 0.5-1cm visible; can match or contrast with outer mat
When to Use Multiple Mats
- Formal portraits and special occasion photographs
- Art prints and valuable photographs
- When you want to add colour without using a full coloured mat
- Creating a gallery-quality presentation
DIY vs Professional Matting
DIY Matting
Cutting your own mats is possible but requires investment and practice:
- Tools needed: Mat cutter, straight edge, cutting surface, sharp blades
- Learning curve: Expect several practice cuts before achieving clean bevelled edges
- Cost-effective for: High-volume projects or ongoing framing needs
Professional Matting
For most home framers, professional cutting offers advantages:
- Perfect, consistent bevelled cuts every time
- Access to full range of mat board colours and qualities
- Expert advice on proportions and colours
- No investment in specialised equipment
- Many frame shops offer mat cutting as a standalone service
Pre-Matted Frames
Many frames sold in Australia come with mats already included:
- Convenient for standard photo sizes
- Quality varies—check mat composition before purchasing
- Limited colour options compared to custom cutting
- Good option for casual display of reproductions
- May not suit non-standard photo dimensions
Understanding matting elevates your photo displays from simple snapshots to properly presented memories. Whether you choose standard pre-matted frames or invest in custom archival matting, the principles remain the same: create space, protect your photos, and enhance their visual impact.
Ready to explore frames with quality matting? Browse our collection featuring pre-matted options in various styles and sizes.