Picture Frame Mats - 3 Great Reasons to Use Mats



Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009

by
YourPictureFrames.com

If you've never used a picture frame mat, you'll be amazed at the difference a mat can make. In this article, you'll learn the basics about mats and the top 3 reasons why mats are so commonly used by photographers.

Picture frame mats add a new dimension to your frame and help add to the appeal of your photo. A mat will give you a new way to express your creativity and make your picture look even better.

Mats also are excellent for overcoming framing problems. They provide flexibility in your choice of frame and the frame size. If your photo or piece of artwork does not fit a standard picture frame size, you are faced with the option of cropping your picture, (which may ruin the overall effect) or the option of having a custom frame made at a higher expense. Mats are an easy option for fitting any picture into a standard frame size and can also be used with multiple photos and collage picture frames.

Mats come in precut sizes to fit standard frame sizes or can be custom cut to fit your unique picture size. Precut mat sizes are generally determined by the size of their picture opening not the overall size of the mat. For example, a standard 5x7 mat has a 5x7 opening for your picture and fits into an 8x10 picture frame. Be sure to check both the outside dimensions of the mat as well as the inside dimensions to get the correct mat for your picture and frame.

Mats have many different benefits.They allow you to add to the overall appearance of your picture frame by matching the frame to the tones in your picture. Mats also help to protect your picture or artwork from moisture or humidity. A mat will create a thin air space between your artwork and the glass preventing it from sticking to the glass and getting ruined. And if you want to further protect and preserve your photo you can also use archival mats. An archival mat is a mat that is lignin and acid free to prevent photo degradation.

An important tip to remember when using multiple mats with your picture frames is that you don't want to use non-glare glass. Non-glare glass diffuses the image so using more than one mat will cause the photograph to look fuzzy.

Mats do add a little extra cost to your framing, but preserving your picture or artwork and giving your framing a finished look is well worth the few extra dollars it may cost for a mat. As you've learned in this article, adding a mat is certainly one of the easiest ways to overcome framing problems, protect your picture from damage and give your framed piece a beautiful and professional look. So, if you haven't already, go see for yourself what a great difference a mat can make!

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Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames and loves taking pictures and hiking. Your Picture Frames offers a large selection of quality picture frames in a wide variety of prices, styles, colors and sizes. If you're looking for an 8x10 picture frame or any size, come visit our website or call us at 1-800-780-0699.
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