Mat Board Guide: How Mat Board Sizes Colors & Cuts Work

The mat is the first thing people notice when they look at a framed piece. It sets the space between your artwork and the frame edge. A good mat makes the art stand out. A bad one pulls attention away from it. This guide covers what mat board does, how to pick the right type, and how to match it to your frame.

The Job Mat Board Does

Mat board is a thick, stiff sheet that sits between the glass and your artwork. It has a cut-out window that shows the art while hiding the edges.

Here is what mat board does for your frame:

Gives Your Art Room to Breathe: Without a mat, the artwork sits right against the frame edge. That looks crowded. A mat adds space so the eye focuses on the art, not the frame.

Keeps Art Off the Glass: If paper or canvas touches the glass, moisture can build up and cause sticking or damage over time. The mat keeps a gap between the two.

Lets You Use Any Frame Size: Your art does not have to match the frame exactly. The mat fills the space between a smaller piece and a larger frame.

Makes It Look Finished: A mat gives your framed piece a clean, polished look. It is the difference between a casual pin-up and a professional display.

One Mat Layer or Two

One Layer (Single Mat)

A single mat is one board with one window. It is the most common choice and works well for most projects.

Works best for:

Clean, simple looks
Everyday framing
Lower-cost projects
Modern or minimal styles

Two Layers (Double Mat)

A double mat uses two boards stacked together. The bottom board shows as a thin line (about 1/4 inch) around the window. This adds depth and a second color.

Works best for:

Adding a pop of color around the opening
Making the frame look more layered
Dressy or polished displays
Art you want to stand out

Common pairings:

White on top with a navy, black, or dark red reveal
Cream on top with gold or brown showing through
Two shades of the same color for a soft layered look

Finding the Right Border Size

The mat border is the strip between the edge of your art and the inside of the frame. Wider borders give the art more room. Narrower borders keep things tight.

Narrow Borders (1.5 to 2 inches)

Good for small frames (5x7, 8x10)
Clean, modern look
Works well when you are hanging many frames together

Medium Borders (2.5 to 3 inches)

The most popular choice
Fits medium frames (11x14, 16x20)
Gives art enough space without making the frame too big

Wide Borders (3.5 inches and up)

Best for larger frames (20x24 and bigger)
Creates a bold, high-end look
Keeps large frames from swallowing small artwork

Make the Bottom Border a Little Wider

A small trick that framers use: make the bottom border about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wider than the top and sides. This keeps the artwork from looking like it is sliding down. It is a small change, but it makes a real difference.

For example, with a medium mat:

Top and sides: 2.5 inches
Bottom: 3 inches

Picking the Right Mat Color

Color choice changes how people see your artwork. A few simple rules keep you on track.

Safe, Simple Colors

White: The most popular pick. Clean, simple, works with almost anything.

Cream or Off-White: Warmer than white. Goes well with older photos, watercolors, and classic art.

Black: Bold and modern. Makes a strong difference between the art and the frame. Best for dark or high-energy artwork.

Gray: Quiet and calm. Works well with black-and-white photos and cool-toned prints.

Using a Colored Mat

Colored mats can look great if you follow a few tips:

Find a small color in the art and match it: Pick a color that already appears in the piece. This ties everything together.
Think about the room: Pick a mat color that fits where the frame will hang.
Use opposite colors to grab attention: Colors on opposite sides of the color wheel stand out and draw the eye.
When in doubt, go soft: Light, gentle shades are safer than bright ones.

One thing to watch: A bright mat can overpower the artwork. If the mat grabs more attention than the art, dial it back.

Use our frame designer to preview different mat colors on your artwork in real time. You can test dozens of shades in seconds before you order.

Long-Lasting Mat Board vs. Standard Mat Board

Standard Mat Board

Lower cost
Fine for posters, prints, and everyday framing
Works for pieces you may swap out later

Long-Lasting (Archival) Mat Board

Made from materials that will not yellow or break down over time
Keeps artwork safe for decades
The right choice for original art, signed prints, old family photos, and anything you want to last
Costs more, but protects what matters

If you would be upset to see the piece damaged in 10 years, use long-lasting matting.

Special Mat Options

Multiple Openings

If you want to show several photos or images in one frame, a mat with more than one window does the job. This keeps everything lined up and looking neat.

Shaped Openings

Mat windows do not have to be rectangles. Oval and round openings work well for portraits and add a different feel to the frame.

Fabric-Covered Mats

Mats wrapped in linen, silk, or suede add texture. These work well for wedding items, formal certificates, and art where you want a richer look.

Matching Your Mat to Your Frame Style

The mat should feel like it belongs with the frame. Here are some safe starting points:

Carved or detailed frames: Cream or simple-colored mats, double mat for extra polish
Thin modern frames: White, black, or gray single mats
Natural wood frames: Cream, tan, or warm-toned mats
Metal frames: Crisp white or black for a clean finish

Where to Start

Follow these five steps when building your frame:

Start with a neutral mat (white, cream, or black)
Decide if one layer or two looks better
Pick a border width based on your frame size
Open the frame designer and preview your choices
Adjust colors and widths until it looks right

Need help picking the right mat for your project? Contact us at hello@custompictureframes.com or call 1 (800) 916-8770. We help customers choose mats every day.