There are many different components in creating your custom piece, but let’s be honest, the frame gets all of the attention. While we love a stunning frame choice, it’s easy to overlook the mat you choose. Mats help draw the eye in to focus on the art it surrounds, and they can add drama, brightness, contrast, and sophistication to a piece. While many of us turn to a classic white mat and call it a day, your choice in mat layout, color, and size can make all the difference when it comes to bringing your art to life! In today’s post, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about mats so you can design your custom piece seamlessly (and understand all of your options).
Mat Styles
The power of a perfectly chosen mat (or two) simply cannot be denied. Depending on your art or photo a mat selection can be made that highlights it in the best possible way. Because our frames are custom, we can create almost any mat layout as long as the opening is a rectangle or square, but here are all of the most-popular mat styles that we offer at Framed and Matted.
Weighted Bottom Mat: A “weighted bottom” refers to the bottom margin of a mat being taller than the top margin. This truly custom framing style elevates any piece with added elegance.
Oversized Mat: An oversized mat with substantial margins is the easiest way to make a big impact with a smaller piece be it a print, photo, postcard, memento, etc.
Double Mat: An easy and cost-effective way to give your art even more presence is with a double mat. It looks more expensive too!
No Mat: Going for a minimalist look? Skip the mat! A frame without a mat feels more modern and is great for large-format photography and artwork.
Multiple Openings Mat: Create a collage mat with custom openings for a signature layout that highlights multiple pieces inside the same frame.
Mat Color
Your selection of mat color is just important as the mat style you choose. We offer 33 different mat colors for you to choose from!
Neutral Tones: Mats in neutral tones like tan and gray effectively make your framed piece pop without drawing too much attention away from the artwork itself.
Bright Tones: Mats in bright tones like orange and soft sky bring a new component to your framed piece. We love matching colorful mats with other decor in the space or putting pieces with bright mats out seasonally (it’s the perfect time to try this out for the upcoming season!).
Our Mat Colors
Still not sure? No problem! Our custom frame builder allows you to mix and match different frame and mat styles and colors to preview what your custom piece will look like. Try it out now!
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