Know Your Framing: Mat Board

The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of mat board is: “What colour(s) should I use?” This is a very important question, but there is an even more important issue looming in the background, and that is “What KIND of mat board should I use?” With this question, we refer to the actual content and make-up of the board. Have you ever wondered what those boards are actually made of? The quick answer is, “Why, paper, of course!” This is true; many mat boards are made of wood pulp, but there is more to it than that. Wood pulp, or cellulose, is a naturally acidic material and can cause fading and other damage to artwork. Mats made of wood pulp must be  coated or chemically treated to remove the acidity. This is referred to as “buffering” and it is a relatively new process in the framing world. Take a look around your house for older framed pieces. Look carefully at the beveled edge around the image. Is it white or has it turned yellow or orange? 

Acidic mat boards showing their true colours. 

This image has three mat board layers. The middle bevel is still white and crisp, while the layers above and below it have both turned yellow with time. This is a quick indication that the middle mat board is Acid Free, while the other two are not. When these mats are removed from the image, the paper underneath will vary in colour from where the mat has been in contact and where it has not. 

Alpharag - 100% Cotton Mat Board from Bainbridge

1. 100% Cotton
The mat board of the highest conservation value is made of 100% cotton.  Cotton is naturally acid free and provides the best protection over time. (The Egyptians used cotton for preservation.) Cotton mats are generally more expensive than other acid free mat boards and are limited in colour to a few shades of white, but will provide the greatest longevity for your images. 

100% Cotton Core with Buffered Surface Paper from Crescent.

2.Cotton Core, Buffered Surface Paper
Because 100% Cotton mat boards have a very limited colour selection, buffered mats are a great option for adding colour to your framing without compromising on conservation standards. Buffering wood pulp is the most common method of creating acid free board. These boards, however, are not created equal. The highest conservation value in a dyed mat board contains a cotton core and a buffered surface paper. This allows a dyed paper to be visible and complement the image, while retaining a high conservation material as the contact layer. This type of mat board is perfect for protecting high value items, such a limited edition prints, or original artwork, while still allowing your style to show through with your colour choices. 

3. Buffered Cellulose Core 

Artique: Buffered Cellulose from Larson Juhl

The last type of Acid Free mat board contains a cellulose/wood pulp core, buffered to an appropriate pH level, as well as buffered surface paper. This is the lowest conservation value and is  great for posters and other “lower value” framing projects that you want to protect, but which do not require the utmost protection. 








This post by: Megan

Edit: Originally Posted on September 10, 2013