When producing your fine art prints, there are many finishing options to make your artwork stand out: including mats. Mats can be a valuable addition to your prints, enhancing the overall presentation and allowing for more versatility with framing. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about matting your artwork.
As always, please feel free to stop by the studio to see samples in person and talk through your matting options!
Purpose of Matting
There are a few main reasons artists use mats when displaying and/or selling their artwork.
- Mats provide a clean visual separation between the artwork and the frame, allowing your print to be the focal point. Mats also give the art print a more professional, gallery-like appearance; preferred by many artists and collectors.
- Mats also provide smaller artwork with the chance to have a bigger presence on the wall. For example, an 8x10 print alone might be swallowed up by a large empty wall; however, pairing that print with an 11x14 or 16x20 mat not only makes the artwork more of a statement piece, it also helps to fill up the wall space in a natural way.
- On a similar note, using mats oftentimes makes it easier for your customers to frame your artwork. For example, if your art prints are an unusual size, you can use a mat to fit a standard frame; eliminating the need for expensive custom framing.
- Mats also act as a source of protection for your artwork so it doesn’t come in direct contact with the glass or acrylic frame. This helps to prevent the print from sticking to the glass and/or deteriorating from condensation and moisture.
Choosing the Right Mat
When choosing a mat, you want to make sure it complements your artwork and enhances the aesthetic appeal. Our customers reach out often with inquiries about matting options, so let’s cover some of the most frequently asked questions.
What is your matting process like?
We use high-quality matting materials that are archival and acid-free, meaning they won’t fade or turn yellow over time. This helps to protect your artwork from deterioration and ensure the longevity of your art print. Our matting technique typically involves a hinge mount, which is the accepted museum-quality mounting method.
What size should I choose?
There are several factors to consider when deciding on sizes for your matted art prints. It ultimately depends on your desired aesthetics, availability of matting materials, and, of course, your personal preference!
In general, larger-scale artwork (typically above 40” or taller) does not need a mat. whereas small to medium size artwork (40” or below) generally looks great with a clean white mat. Please remember, choosing mats for your artwork is a personal preference; these are merely suggestions.
Some of our most popular matting sizes are below:
- 8x10 mat for a 5x7 print
- 11x14 mat for an 8x10 print
- 12x12 mat for a 9x9 print
- 16x20 mat for an 11x14 print
- 20x24 mat for a 16x20 print
We also offer custom mat sizes to fit your needs. Custom orders will require additional production time.
What color should the mat be?
The most popular choice for artists is a standard white archival mat. Colored mats may be custom ordered; however, we advise most artists to stick with white, so the color doesn’t distract from your artwork.
How much does it cost to mat my prints?
Below are some of our sample pricings on our most common sizes (subject to change). Please contact us for custom mat pricing.
- 8x10 mat for a 5x7 print - $4.50
- 11x14 mat for an 8x10 print - $6.50
- 12x12 mat for a 9x9 print - $5.50
- 16x20 mat for an 11x14 print - $7.50
Let’s get Started!
Deciding whether or not to mat your art prints is a personal decision. As we discussed above, matting generally enhances the presentation of your artwork, offers versatility with framing, and protects your prints from deterioration for years to come.
If you have any questions or would like to see samples of our mats in person, please feel free to stop by our studio!