Using mat boards can when framing a picture can give it a unique look. This can be well understood when sports fans use mat boards of team's colors to decorate sports memorabilia.
Those who enjoy framing, they buy their own preferred size of mat boards to achieve the correct finished look they need. Uncut or bulk mat board is best as framing materials for such people. Although one can find pre-cut mat boards in a variety of size, yet artists and painters give different style to their framed pictures with bulk mat boards.
You can find bulk mat boards in two different varieties.
Non-archival quality
Archival quality
Non-archival quality bulk mat is used for those framing where longevity of the artwork in not the priority. These sheet mats are comparatively cheap and contains acid in them. When the acid present in these boards comes in contact to a painting, it causes yellow staining on the picture's surface.
On the other hand, archival quality boards are acid-free and hence prevent staining of a picture. These sheets are chemically treated to remove acid in them. This quality provides a comprehensive protection to a picture as it prevents fading of the colors also.
Colors
Both these mat boards come in a wide variety of colors. People use boards of contrasting and complementary colors with the picture so the finished look can catch the attention of onlookers. For classic look, people prefer to use off-white or black mats.
Thickness
The bulk mats also come in variety of thicknesses. Typically, the thickness of this framing material varies form one-sixth to one-eighth of an inch. This thickness has a great impact on the protection of the painting. Due to the thickness, a gap is produced between the picture and the glazing. This gap helps to keep the picture protected from the moisture in the air. Since the moisture condenses on the glazing, it cannot touch the surface of a painting. This gap also protects the picture by providing sufficient air circulation.
Before purchasing these materials, it is necessary to check whether they are genuine or not. Reputed wholesale mat suppliers provide standard archival quality mats. Hence, such materials must be purchased from a reputed store. Documounts is an online store that offers quality framing materials. You can see their products in their official website and can also purchase them online. You will get both archival and non-archival quality of bulk mat boards in this online store.
