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Matboards
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MAT BOARDS
What is matting? Matting is the border which surrounds the artworks in their frames. It serves two main purposes.
* Firstly it protects the artwork by providing a secure ‘housing’ to support the work in the frame and it separates the work from the glazing.
* Secondly, matting enhances the aesthetic qualities of the artwork through the use of colours.
Not all mat boards are the same!!
There is some confusion over the term ‘acid-free’ boards. If a mat board is acid free, it does not necessarily mean that it can be used in preservation framing. Acid-free, non-preservation boards have lignin (acid) in them but the acid has been neutralised with an alkaline. These boards will eventually become acid again as the buffering agent loses its strength.
Preservation mat boards, such as cotton rag boards, are pure alpha cellulose boards with no lignin at all. Only mat boards with pure alpha cellulose can be used in preservation framing. These mat boards are acid-free as they are lignin-free.
Framing Matters strongly recommends that valuable items should only be framed with mat boards which are lignin free.
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