mounting mat selection catalogue MAT0101 — MAT0155

1. Definition

A mounting mat — also called a frame backing mat — is a high-density, heavyweight specialty board placed between the artwork and the glazing inside the frame. It is an indispensable part of mounting paintings, photographs, thangkas and calligraphy.

2. What it does

• Separation, anti-stick It separates the glazing from the artwork, so condensation in humid weather never touches the paper or pigment — preventing cockling, flaking and photographs sticking to the glass.
• Moisture and dust barrier The substantial board blocks dust and damp in the air, reducing what settles on the surface and slowing the yellowing and ageing of paper.
• Cushioned air gap Cutting the mat leaves an air gap between artwork and glazing. Any knock is buffered, and the glass cannot press against and scratch the surface.
• Compositional margin Varying the width of the mat creates breathing space and focuses the eye — a small work gains presence, a large one gains clear layers.
• Colour framing Coloured mats can be matched to the tone of the image — a light painting with a dark mat, a rich one with a pale mat — lifting the overall look and the perceived quality of the piece.
• Conceals flaws It conceals uneven edges or minor trimming damage and gives the artwork a clean boundary.
• Holds the work flat The cut window holds all four edges of the artwork, preventing it from shifting, creasing or tilting inside the frame and keeping it flat over years of hanging.

3. Where it applies

Chinese painting, drawing, watercolour, oil sketches, photographs, thangkas, prints and decorative art — any work that can be framed.