Matting & Framing

My art is noted for its strong 3-dimentionality. This effect though can be weakened by certain mats. White and other bright mats can seem blinding and too bold, forcing the print into the visual background, overwhelming the 3-D effect.

The beautiful, natural flower colors in my prints can fade in mats that are too colorful. I often mat my images in dark, dull greens; like forest shadow colors. Other mat colors can also work well. Find a prominent color in the print and try a mat that is a darker, less vibrant version of that color.

Originally I put my prints in solid black mats but became dissatisfied with these. They seemed to fade the print’s dark background tones and to make the print's straight, dark margins dissolve into the mat, thus weakening the picture’s composition. Select a mat that allows all four edges of the print’s dark background to be visible.

Choose a mat that falls between the darkest and lightest tones in the print.
The goal in matting is to enhance the artwork. If a trial print + mat combination spotlights the mat more than the art, the combination is less than ideal.
While you are testing mats, also try fabric-covered and black-core mats too.

Mat Window Dimensions

Mat windows (openings) should be cut exactly 10 x 10 inches or 10 x 12.5 inches. These openings will cover 1/10 inch on all 4 sides of the printed image. This is intentional. The excess margin was added to compensate for any inaccuracies in mat cutting and to prevent unprinted white paper showing around the edges of the matted artwork.

Archival Framing

My print’s pigment-based colors and permanent paper were chosen for their long-term stability and archival qualities. These, however, must be paired with archival framing materials to ensure long life. Conventional acidic materials are likely to damage the print over time. Most frame shops now offer archival framing with mats, backboards, tapes, and other components which have been tested for this purpose. You may find that archival mats come in fewer colors than acidic mats. Typically, archival framing materials are somewhat more expensive too.

Frame Moldings

Many different frame moldings work with my art. Simple, flat profiles in black, graphite, and steel colors work well in contemporary settings. Wood, painted, and color-stained moldings can look good in traditional settings as do simpler profiles in antique silver and gold.

Ready-Made Frames

At frame shops and other stores, you may find standard-size, ready-made, square and rectangular frames that include glass. These frames can be considerably less expensive than custom-cut frames. The 10 x 12.5-inch images here can look quite good matted in standard-size 16 x 20-inch frames. The print appears well balanced in this size frame if the mat is cut to these dimensions: left & right mat widths 3 inches, top width 3.25 inches, and bottom width 4.25 inches.

Frame Shops

Frame shops can display a bewildering assortment of moldings and mats. The suggestions above may help narrow these choices. In addition, you may find it helpful to inventory the space where you will be hanging art. Note what current frames you have and the room’s colors, fabrics, and furnishings. Take digital snapshots on your portable device and, if you have them, carry color chips and swatches when you go framing. Mat and frame selection may be simplified if you can clearly recall your interior while at the frame shop.

Online framers allow another method to visualize: take your portable computer into the room where you will be hanging art and consider online mats and frames there.