Tips For Choosing A Mat For A Photo

There is no definitive right mat for any one photograph or giclée print.

Tips for choosing a mat for a photo.

Choose a colored mat to complement the picture you want to frame. In order to achieve continuity without overwhelming the eye the color of the mat should match one of the colors in the photograph s background. It is essential that the mat does not distract from the photograph but rather accentuates it and draws out the main focus or key element. Use your best judgement or ask someone with a.

Avoid picking a mat color based on the room where the picture will be hung. This means the total mat depth on each side for a medium size artwork will be 2 1 4. Instead match it to the photo itself. Decide on a style of mat that you like.

How to mat small photos. Use either sticky back tape if there is enough room around the photo or use more sticky back adhesive squares applied around the photo and then press the mat into place over the top. Create something that s visually alluring by matching the color of the mat to a color in the background of the photo. Mats come in many different colors designs and thicknesses.

Using a colored mat is a good way to attract attention to important segments of a photograph. Tips for choosing the best mat color. Generally the inner mat sometimes called a slip mat in a double mat image will protrude approximately 1 4 farther than the outer mat. For 4 x 6 photos matted up to a 5 x 7 size use sticky back adhesive squares to affix the photo to the foam board.

The same goes for a red frame and a red mat. The color of a light mat should be a tone darker than the lightest color of the image. If using a dark mat its color must be one tone lighter than the darkest color on the photo. Pick a mat or a number of mats if you choose to utilize multiple layers you like that is a good look for the picture you ll be framing then decide whether the mat will go around the edges of the picture in the frame or serve as a frame itself.

If you re choosing a brown frame you probably don t want to use a brown mat. While it may be tempting to use the same color the likelihood of the mat and frame matching perfectly is pretty slim.