Choosing The Right Mat Board Colour For Your Art Work

The framing industry has no books, no set theory, not hard and fast rules on how to pick colours. There are some personal opinions from various writers but that's all they are. However it is not as hard as you may think.

The obvious starting point is to go for a colour that's in the picture, then vary the shades from darket to lighter to see which suits best.

An Inner mat is the smaller window just surrounding your art work and it is usually used to sharpen the image. Darker inner mat will increase the contrast between the light and dark areas of the picture, making the image easier to see. Therefore, adding an inner mat is both decorative and functional.

An outer mat is a bigger window closest to the glass, and sitting just on top of the inner mat. There is one or two rules I can give you for choosing the outer mat. Always make the outer mat border at least 2 1/2" (60mm). 2" mats do not work. The wider the mat the more you see the picture. The other rule relates to the surroundings. The colour of the outer mat you choose should have NOTHING to do with your taste or the colours in the room. If you do your job correctly you should see the picture, not what surrounds it. Many people make mistake by starting to use their personal taste or decorator themes in framing.

You can practice choosing the right mat board colours using the Smart Framer program on our web site. Upload some of your own digital photos and frame them.

With more than 30 years of experience in the business of picture framing, Gary Leete is the owner of Melbourne-based FrameCo Picture Framing Supplies, a company that specializes in DIY framing tools, start up kits and framing accessories. For further information on FrameCo products and services, feel free to email frame@frameco.com.au

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Crafts-Hobbies Information:

Related Articles

Sewing - A Wonderful Pastime
To think that in the beginning the only sewing patterns used were to measure from ankle to dirt and chop off the animal skin so that it would not drag on the ground. Now you can get sewing patterns for everything from a simple square sewn together to create a throw pillow to an elaborate wedding dress.
Save on Kids Craft Supplies - Recycle!
Here is some information about how to collect and use recycled objects in your crafts!You can save a lot of money on arts and crafts supplies by saving things that you might ordinarily throw away! If you are building up a craft supply box for a classroom, daycare, church or school - get the parents involved by sending out list of these items so they can help out too!Make sure to prepare each item for storage. Wash and dry anything that contained food or liquids.
Scrapbooking Teen Memories
By the time your teen is in high school, you probably aren't taking as many pictures of them as you used to. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have a couple of years left and no time to waste trying to capture fleeing teenage memories.
Depression Glass Trivia
Depression glass facts make for interesting conversation,especially when you're at a convention or talking amongstother Depression glass aficionados. So here are a few itemsto get you started so you, too, can have some meaningfulknowledge to put on the plate when you and your Depressionglass collector friends gather 'round and chat.
Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 6
Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 6 - Finishing EquipmentA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is quite advanced.
10 Reasons to Create and Give a Gift Basket!
10. A Themed Gift Basket is for everyone and every occasion.
Make Your Own Citronella Candles
Need a cost effective way to get rid of mosquitoes? Try making your own citronella candles and eliminate mosquitoes while providing a romantic, outdoor setting. Making citronella candles is easy and can cost as little as $0.
Build Your Own Bar Stool (In An Afternoon)
Bar stools are as important as the best wine in your bar. It is said that if you don't get a good stool to sit on, you won't enjoy the drink.
Jewelry Making: Measuring for Bracelets Without a Tape
Your cousin's friend in Saskatchewan has asked you to design a custom bracelet for her. You have all the beads, materials, and tools, but you're stumped about the length.
How to Make Your Own Refrigerator Magnets
There are several types of refrigerator magnets that you can make with a little effort and the right materials. Below are some ideas for making magnets for gifts or just for fun.
Saving Family Keepsakes for Scrapbooking
I'm new to scrapbooking, and I still can't believe all the possibilities there are for scrapbook layouts.When I first began I pulled out and organized a lot of my daughter's childhood photos.
A Scrapbook Page To Celebrate Your Childs First Haircut
Here's a great idea for making a special 'first haircut' scrapbook page. Between the ages of about 12 and 18 months, a baby boy or girl may go for their first hair cut.
How To Make Your Own Gift Baskets
Haven't you always wanted to give someone a beautiful gift basket, but didn't have a clue how to put one together? Gift baskets are such a wonderful gift and can be given for any occasion. Let me tell you how to make such an amazing gift basket even you won't believe you've made it!First, start with your "basket".
Be Your Own Way, but Still Use the Safe Tools
It is so often that people are not aware with the tools they use when doing their home improvement. Sometimes they use wrong tools just because they want something quick to be done.
Friendship Albums
My 12-year-old daughter was mad at me when I refused to pay $25 for a school yearbook last year. Who are they trying to kid?In an attempt to appease my daughter, I suggested buying a little notebook that her friends could write messages in for her.
The Art of Cutting and Cropping for Your New Scrapbook
Often photographs aren't quite the right shape and size or the photographic image is improperly centered. Having oversized or off centered photographs creates an air of unprofessionalism.
Spruce Up Your Pages with Scrapbooking Embellishments
Having this nagging doubt that you may upstage your precious photos or clutter your pages with scrapbooking embellishments?One moment you're just so tempted to paste the embellishment onto your page, and the next moment you're questioning yourself, "Should I? Should I not?" You even wonder if you're just trying to force that simply irresistible page accent onto your page to satisfy your craving for? more embellishments.Well, you're in good company.
Embroidery Designs Digitizing Software
Embroidery Magic 2 software program was created with multiple function lettering, editing and digitizing features for embroidery designs and was designed for those who have home embroidery machines and software. We have also have had customers purchase this embroidery software who have well established commercial embroidery businesses but have found that it creates better lettering than any other program they have purchased, regardless of price! However, in regard to the EM 2 price, it should be understood that you will not get the full features of a high end digitizing program with a lot of "bells and whistles".
Finding The Best Display Case For Your Treasures
Maybe you have a bunch of collectibles sitting in your closet gathering dust. Or perhaps you've been storing your fine China in the kitchen cupboards instead of a hutch.
You Are A Diamond So Scrapbook About Yourself
As a devoted scrapper, you probably gain satisfaction from scrapbooking about others.Oftentimes, you are the one glaring missing light in your scrapbook albums.
>