A mat is also practical - it separates the art from the glazing (glass or acrylic), and therefore protects it from moisture that may collect on the inside of the glass, and keeps the paper from adhering to the glazing.

When framing art, there are numerous things to consider:

• The frame (see our article Choosing the Right Picture Frame)

• Whether to use a mat (see our article All About Mats)

• The mat color (see our article Choosing the Best Mat Color)

• And the mat size.

The following article offers helpful tips on selecting the appropriate mat size for your artwork.

SUMMARY

WHAT YOU HAVE	EFFECT OF MAT SIZE	MAT AND FRAME
If you have the artwork, decide how large you want the display If you have the frame, decide whether you want a mat and how wide to determine the artwork size	Thin mats look out of place and distract "Average" size mats give artwork a classic look Wide mats create a crisp, modern display	The mat should usually be at least double the width of the frame An equal mat and frame width distracts from the art

For instance, if you have a photograph you want to frame, and a frame that is too large but perfectly suits the image, you'll need to select a mat sized to the frame, with an opening the size of the artwork.

While this can be a great way to make use of old frames, a word of caution. No matter how perfectly they match, if the mat is a completely inappropriate size for the frame or for the image, that fact will dominate the display, not the beautiful symmetry of art and frame.

The size of the artwork itself can also help determine the mat. If you have a small painting you would like front and center over a mantle or other mid-sized space, consider a very wide mat. I explain below the effects of different mat sizes, but as long as the frame suits, a wide mat can be a great way to draw focus to a small image.

If you have only a frame, decide whether you want an artwork or photograph that fills the frame, or one that leaves space for a mat. Based on the information below, you can choose the style that will provide the best result.

A THIN MAT

When you mat is too thin, it becomes a border to your artwork, rather than a complementary accent that draws the eye in. Your photograph or painting ends up looking stuffed in the frame, as though it is overriding the mat and about to burst forth. And not in a good way.

A WIDE MAT

If you want a crisp, clean display, a thick white mat is the way to go. This is the popular style for modern gallery mats. A wider mat is also ideal for art that will be displayed over a large piece of furniture. The thick border tells the viewer this is the focal point, not the couch below.

Thick mats are being used these days as art pieces of their own. A tiny, 2x3" or 3x4" image is displayed in a large white abyss with a pencil-thin frame, creating abundant white space and relegating the image to a supporting role.

THE "PERFECT MAT

Do note, however, this table does not take into consideration the width of the frame. If you planning to purchase and frame and a mat, use this guide to select the mat, then choose a complementary frame that suits the mat size. We'll get to that in the Frame and Mat Widths section.

UNITED INCHES MAT BORDER WIDTH 6" or less 3/4" 7" - 8" 1 " 9" - 10" 1-1/2" 11" - 24" 1-3/4" 25" - 32" 2" 33" - 36" 2-1/4"

UNITED INCHES MAT BORDER WIDTH 37" - 40" 2-1/2" 41" - 44" 2-3/4" 45" - 52" 3" 53" - 58" 3-1/4" 59" - 64" 3-1/2" 65" - 68" 3-3/4"

A wide mat creates a crisp, modern look

This method was adopted in the 19th century to combat an optical illusion created by the hanging style. At that time, framed art in galleries was hung above eye level, and tilted out from the wall so the viewer, looking up, would be able to see it.

Since the viewer was closest to the bottom of the frame, the bottom leg of the mat appeared to be thinner than the other three sides, through all were in fact equal. Widening the bottom border by 10-20% balanced this uneven appearance.

Today, however, framed art is almost always hung at eye level. Though bottom weighting is no longer necessary, many framers still follow this traditional style. It is also a popular way to fit art into a frame that does not allow for equal mat borders.

Today, assuming you are hanging your art at eye level, bottom weighting is a matter of personal taste. There isn't much point in bottom weighting an eye level image at 10%, since that percentage is intended to be unnoticeable. However, much like the advent of the very wide mat, a home decor style that heavily weights the bottom border has become popular in recent years.

Note: "Top centering" is very similar to bottom weighting. The top and side mat borders will all be the same size, while the bottom border is slightly wider. This is another way to fit a matted image into a standard frame.

Exaggerated bottom weighting serves as a style in itself

I'm not referring to frame style in this case. Based on the artwork and the existing decor in your home, you can choose an ornate, old fashioned frame, or a stark, simple moulding. The width of that frame, however, comes into play when discussing mats.

The basic rule: The width of the mat should be at least double the width of the frame.

Like all other picture framing "rules," you can feel free to break this one, but it is based on sound aesthetics. The job of the mat is to draw the viewer's eye in toward the artwork, but if a four inch frame is paired with a two inch mat, the frame dominates the outer regions of the display, and the eye might never quite make it to the art.

When the frame and the mat are approximately the same size, they end up vying for the attention of the viewer, therfore splitting the focus, and still distracting from the true, intended subject of the piece.

The most important part of this method is selecting the right frame. If your images are all quite different, you probably want to stick with a simple metallic or black frame. Or, if they are all similar, you can draw from a shared element. For example, if you have six images taken at the family farm, you may select a rustic, raw wood frame.

Once you have chosen the moulding, pick the size based on the largest of the images. The size will accomodate the mat for that frame, whether you choose a basic, traditional medium-wide style with equal weighting on all sides, or a very wide, off center mat. If you choose the latter, however, keep in mind that every other mat in the display will be even wider that that.

Mat size for the largest image selected, you can now have a bit of fun. You already know the outer dimensions of all your mats, but you need to decide on the layout for the rest of the pictures.

1. Centering: This option involves centering each picture in the very middle of the frame. The mat surrounding it, then, will vary, with some having more weight on top and bottom than the sides, and others perhaps the opposite. You may be surprised how little visible the size differences are with this option. (If you chose a bottom weighted mat for your first image, however, this option doesn't work.)

2. Top Aligned: The second option is to arrange all the tops of your images at the same point. In other words, whether the picture is 4" long or 8" long, the top arm of the mat is 2" wide. The result is a more evident difference between the picture sizes, but this might suit your decor and style.

Whichever option you choose, you can go on to hang the images in any assemblage you wish, and even change them around as the mood suits. Since the frames are all the same size and will be even across the wall, you don't have to worry about different nail heights or strengths.

Of course, you always have the option to frame each image in its own, unique frame for an ecclectic look. If you are hanging these mismatched frames all together, though, I might suggest sticking with one color and perhaps one mat style for the whole.

(2) Align the images across the top

When you've settled on the perfect mat style, head over to our wide selection of custom matboards to place your order.

If you have any questions about this or our other products and services, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff are always happy to offer answers, advice or suggestions.

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