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 Making
the Correct Matting Choices
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Mats are more than decoration, they are
designed to protect the surface of the
artwork and to keep the glass directly
off the surface.
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To decide which mats to use - look at
the colors in your artwork for
inspiration. Using more than one
mat will add to the beauty and
uniqueness of the finished products.
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Dark colors tend to contain the art.
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Light colors tend to expand the artwork
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Mats should be at least as wide as the
frame width when using more than one
mat, this means the top mat.
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The top mat can be whatever color is
most prominent in the artwork.
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Neutral top mats look great with inside
mats used for accent colors in the
artwork.
Different Types of Glass
At R& S, we stock 5 different types of
glass, not including plexi-glass. Each
type of glass affects how your artwork will
be seen and preserved.
The following types of glass are:
Premium clear:
The most basic type of glass. 2.0 mm thick
and available up to 40"x60" (Does not
protect artwork against UV light/does not
filter glare.)
Conservation clear:
Designed to protect artwork from damaging
Ultra Violet rays, this glass is available
up to 40"x60" and is essential for
conservation framing. In fact,
conservation clear glass blocks up to 97% of
Ultra Violet rays. Conservation clear
is recommended for any artwork that will
hang near a window or in a well lit room.
Because Ultra Violet light has energy high
enough to sever the organic bonds of
paper-borne art, the conservation series of
glass is widely recommended for any piece
valuable enough to frame. The UV
filtering properties will prevent severe
color loss, paper embitterment and
deterioration of art, all of which are
irreversible.
Reflection Control:
Often customer are swayed from using
non-glare glass because they think it will
dull their artwork, however, this is not
true. In the past, reflection control
glass was etched on both sides to reduce the
glare, but this particular glass in finely
etched on one side only to prevent loss of
clarity, while reducing reflection. In
fact, up to 4 mats may be used on artwork
with this glass with little loss in
resolution. The reflection control
glass is ideal with needle art, matte finish
photos and posters.
Conservation
Reflection Control:
Offers all the benefits of Reflection
Control glass in addition to protecting
artwork against 97% of damaging U.V. rays
(the same filtering properties as mentioned
in description of conservation clear glass.
Single etched side reduces glare and
maintains optimal clarity.)
Museum Glass:
Museum glass is the highest quality picture
framing glass available in the industry.
In addition to having optimum U.V.
protection, Museum glass allows over 97% of
light transmission, resulting in less than
1% light reflection, which produces a nearly
invisible lite of glass. This glass
offers the lowest reflection ratings and
highest brightness and contrast levels,
while blocking 97% of harmful U.V. light,
making it the ultimate glazing option
available. This glass is ideal for
shadow boxes, antiques and original works of
art.
Acrylic:
Sometimes referred to as "Plexi", this
glazing option is actually a plastic, not a
glass and is available in regular,
conservation, reflection-control and
conservation reflection control.
Although usually reserved for larger
projects, acrylic is ideal for framing art
that will be shipped as well as children's
rooms and safety zones.
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