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Matted Photo

Matting a Picture

Matting is the initial step in any framing project, and involves the use of a thin piece of specially treated cardboard known as mat board. The picture frame mat is a decorative touch to be sure; however, matting serves several practical and protective functions as well when it comes to archival preservation. These include protecting the photograph from acidity and temperature fluctuations as well as separating the surface of the photo from the glazing material. When shopping for picture matting supplies, it’s a good idea to buy the best you can afford. Low-quality mat board is often worse than using nothing at all.

Often, picture framing supplies can be purchased as a comprehensive kit that includes custom picture frames as well. These are fine to use, and can be purchased online or from a real-world art supply store; the only disadvantage is that the photo frames that are often included are for a specific size of photo or other image; therefore, if your artifact is not of a standard size, you may have to have a frame specially made, or create one yourself.

It’s important to understand that the matting process requires some patience, and a fairly high degree of skill. If you make even one small mistake, the mat board will be wasted and you’ll have to start all over again.  It’s best to use a metal straight edge with some kind of measurement markings on it, a metal “T-square” and a fine cutting tool such as an “X-Acto” knife in order to obtain the best results. Even better, spend a little extra and get a professional mat cutter if you plan on doing a great many projects like this; they’re easier to use and make it a simple matter to achieve clean, straight, beveled cuts.

Among the other picture matting supplies you’ll need to gather are a pencil and eraser, fine-grade sandpaper and a perfectly flat surface to protect the surface on which you’ll be cutting the mat board.

The choice of mat board, like that of custom picture frames, should be based on not only your own personal preferences but also the colors and tones of the photo or other image as well as the type and color of photo frames used and not least of all, the area in which the image will be displayed. Picture matting supplies come in many different colors; try to choose muted, neutral colors that do not distract from the artifact itself.

It’s also smart to buy enough mat board to allow for errors. Chances are if you have not done picture matting before, you’ll wind up going through a couple of mat boards before you’re finished.

About the Author

Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it's a safeguard for something you love.

Where can I get printing on a photo mat?

I am working on a project for my class. We have 23 individual pictures on a large photo mat. We need our names printed on the mat under each of our pictures. Does anyone know of a place this can be done near Orange County, CA?

its in stores.

MUHAMMAD ALI AUTOGRAPH/SIGNED PHOTO FRAMED & MATTED

Andre Agassi Matted Photo $25.49 Andre Agassi Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

Andy Roddick Matted Photo $25.49 Andy Roddick Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

Novak Djokovic Matted Photo $25.49 Novak Djokovic Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

Roger Federer Matted Photo $25.49 Roger Federer Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

James Blake Matted Photo $25.49 James Blake Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

Rafael Nadal Matted Photo $25.49 Rafael Nadal Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

Andy Murray Matted Photo $25.49 Andy Murray Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque.

Pete Sampras Matted Photo $25.49 Pete Sampras Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Lleyton Hewitt Matted Photo $25.49 Lleyton Hewitt Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Ana Ivanovic Matted Photo $25.49 Ana Ivanovic Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Richard Gasquet Matted Photo $25.49 Richard Gasquet Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Sam Querrey Matted Photo $25.49 Sam Querrey Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

John Isner Matted Photo $25.49 John Isner Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Caroline Woznicaki Matted Photo $25.49 Caroline Woznicaki Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Caroline Wozniacki Matted Photo $25.49 Caroline Wozniacki Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Bryan Brothers Matted Photo $25.49 Bryan Brothers Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Maria Sharapova Matted Photo $25.49 Maria Sharapova Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

John McEnroe Matted Photo $25.49 John McEnroe Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Amelie Mauresmo Matted Photo $25.49 Amelie Mauresmo Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Steffi Graf Matted Photo $25.49 Steffi Graf Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Elena Dementieva Matted Photo $25.49 Elena Dementieva Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Chris Evert Matted Photo $25.49 Chris Evert Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Kim Clijsters Matted Photo $25.49 Kim Clijsters Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Gilles Simon Matted Photo $25.49 Gilles Simon Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Lindsay Davenport Matted Photo $25.49 Lindsay Davenport Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Serena Williams Matted Photo $25.49 Serena Williams Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Venus Williams Matted Photo $25.49 Venus Williams Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Anna Kournikova Matted Photo $25.49 Anna Kournikova Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Martina Hingis Matted Photo $25.49 Martina Hingis Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Paradorn Srichaphan Matted Photo $25.49 Paradorn Srichaphan Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Martina Navratilova Matted Photo $25.49 Martina Navratilova Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Jennifer Capriati Matted Photo $25.49 Jennifer Capriati Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Marcos Baghdatis Matted Photo $25.49 Marcos Baghdatis Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Jimmy Connors Matted Photo $25.49 Jimmy Connors Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Jim Courier Matted Photo $25.49 Jim Courier Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

Jelena Jankovic Matted Photo $25.49 Jelena Jankovic Matted Photo This is a beautiful double matted 8 x 10 Glossy photo with Player Name Plaque. 11" x 14

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 1st, 2005 at 1:56 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.