The mat is one of the most important parts of a frame design-it not only unifies the design between artwork and frame but also protects the artwork from a number hazards.

We know the first job of a frame is to present the artwork it holds at its best. We also know that sometimes a print, photograph or similar type of paper-borne artwork can look "lost in a frame without a mat. That’s because it’s not easy for the eye to move from the delicate paper-borne art to the solid sturdy frame. A mat provides a transition between these two worlds.

That’s also why matboard color and shape are an important part of the frame design. Everything from how light or dark the matboard color is of if there is a double mat, or a mat with a specially-cut opening, affects how you and others see and react to the art inside it.

The other functions a mat can perform are much more practical. Paper-borne artwork like many other objects react to changes in the environment. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause paper to expand and contract, buckle or cockle, making it seem wavy. A mat can help a piece of art from becoming deformed because of such change. When paper expands it may also come in contact with the glass or acrylic in the front of the frame. This can sometimes cause severe non-reversible, damage to the artwork. A mat helps to distance the artwork away from the glass or acrylic, preventing such a possibility.