FASTFRAME of GLENDALE — 112 N. Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91203 — (818) 545-0044
Using Mats
Spice up your handiwork with
accents to delight your palette.
No two pieces you create are alike,
so choose the style that fits the best
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Multiple Window Mats display many pieces in a single frame.
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Floating Art gives the illusion of hanging in space.
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Fabric Dry Mounting and Wrapped Mats add rich textures.
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Laminating protects your creations from harmful creases.
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Decorative Mats enhance and add focus.
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Preservation PlusT protects your most treasured creations to museum standards.
Learn more about using mats below...

What kind of mats should I use?

For the highest protection for your artwork, you should only use mats that are preservation or museum grade. There are three basic types of mats used in picture framing:

The first is a regular or paper mat. These mats, while being cost effective, contain a product called lignin. Over time lignin breaks down creating an acidic gas that can leave a burn mark on your artwork. The color will also fade over time, and the cream colored bevel will begin to darken. Some paper mats have a bleached white core, but the overall degradation of the mat will be the same.

The second type of mat is an alpha cellulose mat. Cellulose is the chief material in all plant life. Alpha cellulose is the purest form of this material. These mats are buffered to maintain a neutral pH. They are considered to be preservation quality. They will not harm the artwork, nor will they fade over time. This type of mat is the primary, in-stock mat at FASTFRAME of Glendale.

The third type of mat is a rag mat. Made from cotton linters, rag mats are naturally lignin free. They are made with a colored surface paper, which are preservation grade, or can be 100% rag mat, which is museum grade.

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