Mat Board
Mat boards are used in picture framing as a spacer between the artwork and the glass. Any moisture trapped inside the frame would condense against the glass and the moisture would be transferred to the artwork. If the artwork would get wet it would rapidly deteriorate, thus ruining the piece. Also using the incorrect mat board could ruin the artwork. Today mat boards are available in a wide variety of materials and colors. Mat boards are made in several layers with three sections: Facing paper, Core, and Backing paper. The facing paper is the part the you see on a framed piece of artwork. The core is the part that makes up the majority of the mat. It adds both thickness, which give the mat strength, and depth that gives it an aesthetic appeal. The backing paper is the surface that touches the artwork. This section discusses the different types of mat boards that are available in today's market.Decorative Mat Board
Decorative mat boards are made of paper. The core and backing paper are buffered with calcium carbonate to make them non acidic. While this makes them non acidic, over time the paper will revert back to its natural form: having acid. Acid is one of the biggest factors that will attack and destroy artwork. Decorative mats are offered with three different types of cores: Regular (Creme colored), White, and Black. The facing paper colors vary between the types of core colors.
Rag Mat Board
Rag mat boards are made of cotton. Cotton is naturally acid free, so it will not harm the artwork over time. Rag mats are offered in two different types: Museum and Conservation. Museum mats are made of 100% solid cotton. The mat color is through out the entire mat (face, core, and back). It is the best mat available, unfortunately there are limited colors available. The colors available are earth tones, black, and white. Conservation boards are made of 100% cotton core and backing, with a conservation facing paper. They are available in a larger variety of colors than museum mat board. Conservation mats are also available with a suede facing paper.
| Pro | Con | Recommended Uses |
| Least Expensive | Acidic | Decorative framing. |
| Widest Array of Colors | Open end reproductions. | |
| Different Colored Cores | Posters and decorative art. |
| Pro | Con | Recommended Uses |
| Naturally Acid Free | More Expensive | Valuable works of original art. |
| Best Available | Very Few Colors | Rare and antique documents. |
| Items of historical importance. |
| Pro | Con | Recommended Uses |
| Naturally Acid Free | More Expensive | Fine art prints and limited editions. |
| Several Colors | Valuable documents and photos. | |
| Heirloom needle art. |