Picture Frames and Mats

One of the easiest ways to make your photos look great in frames is by using picture frame mats. Mats make your picture pop out and get attention making even average photographs look as though they were taken by a pro. If you've never tried playing around with mats before, here are a few tips that can help you along.

Picture Mat Tips and Benefits

Tip #1 - They help get rid of most framing-related problems. Picture frame mats also free you from selecting a frame merely for its size. Most photos or pieces of artwork won't fit in standard frame sizes, but mats can help remedy this problem. With mats, you won't have to cut photos or have custom frames made. Mats let you put photos of any size into standard picture frames.

Picture frame mats can come in precut sizes as well as custom sizes. Remember that mats are measured by the size of their openings and not their exterior dimensions. Precut picture mats are easiest to find and use, since they work with most standard photo sizes. The only time you'll need to have a mat custom-made is when you're dealing with custom photos or pieces of artwork, which have unique dimensions. To make sure you're getting what you need always measure your photo first.

Tip #2 – Picture mats give new creative angles in displaying your photo by matting it in unique ways. But perhaps the most fun thing about using picture frame mats is that they give you the opportunity to customize your photo frame. You can do all sorts of creative things with a mat, like getting signatures, collecting written messages and displaying favorite songs, poems or verses.

Tip #3 - They make your photos stand out. You can have the mat accent a color in your picture to make a particular color really stand out. Mats also add an extra dimension to the picture making it look more like a professional photographer took the photo. What's also great about picture mats is that you can change them from time to time, changing the mood of your photo whenever you see fit.

Tip #4 – Mats protect your pictures from damage. Mats help protect your photos and artworks from moisture or temperature changes. When you place pictures directly against the glass of a picture frame, they may stick together after a while. With a picture mat, you'll be leaving a thin layer of air between the glass and the photo, letting it "breathe" and keeping it safe from damage.

For added protection of your picture, you should also use an archival mat as these mats are acid-free and help prevent your photo from degrading over time.

Disadvantages of Picture Mats

It's not advisable to use more than one mat in a frame when it has non-glare glass. Non-glare glass diffuses the image so using multiple picture frame mats often result in a fuzzy picture.

Another disadvantage of picture mats is the extra cost, as well as the effort of looking for the right one. But wouldn't the extra time and dollars be a priceless investment if it made your photos look fantastic?

Overall, picture mats are one of the simplest and most inexpensive things you can do to make your photos look even better. If you haven’t tried using picture frame mats with your photos yet, give it a try and you’ll be amazed at how much better every photo stands out.

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