Framing & Protecting Your Percious Memories &
Art - Part 1
Question: What is the purpose of matting? Is
it just decorative? Can I do without it?
Answer: A mat can be aesthetically pleasing.
But more importantly is the protection it supplies to
your framed art piece, or photo, etc.
First, It gives your art piece support. It should be
attached using methods that allow the art to expand
and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.
If it is held down on all four sides, buckling will
result because the art work can not expand. This may
sound silly, but it needs room to move in the frame.
Secondly a mat permits air circulation. This will help
so any humidity or moisture will not damage your art.
(I have seen photographs stuck irreversible to the glass,).
There are commercial spacers that can be placed under
the lip of the frame between the glass and art work
that will give you the same air circulation in the event
that a mat is just not wanted.
The point is that glass should never be placed directly
on your art!
Now for the fun part.
A mat can highlight a color, give depth,supply texture,
and increase the overall size. When doing shadow boxes
and collages a mat can join them all together to make
it into one story. A mat should draw your eye into the
framed art. The color and selection possibilities of
matting are so extensive that you can work effectively
with an older photo to stay in the same time period,
or it can give a very modern and contemporary appearance
to others.
Did you know that there are colors to work with all
the professional and college sports teams?
You can have specialty cuts applied to a mat to make
a more interesting presentation and to create a one
of a kind piece. Don't be afraid to use more than one
mat. If the colors are right, they will not take away
from the framed piece. Matting is a truly wonderful
presentation option. The possibilities are endless.
Written by Edie Peterson
For more information & help with your special items
and art preservation. click
here to go to The Framing Conection. They can help
you with all your framing needs. The Framing Connection
is located in Brainerd/Baxter, MN on Hwy 371 North.
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