Matting

Matting is the term used to describe the window-cut material placed around an image within a frame. It serves a critical utilitarian purpose as a spacer, allowing the artwork to expand and contract with changes in humidity.
It also becomes a very important design element to the piece of art. Selecting just the right color and tone to make the transition between the frame and the art is best done with all three elements in hand at the same time.
French matting takes the relevance of the matte a step further, adding a subtle but remarkable design or coloration border within the matte area. This technique requires considerable skill and practice.

Matting makes the overall size of the finished piece larger. Matting can be made from a variety of materials: paper, ragboard and fabric covered board. Using an archival quality material will offer protection, ensuring that your art will last for years to come. Archival matting is either made from acid-free cotton fibers or a newer product called Artcare. Artcare archival mattboards, with patented MicroChamber technology, actively protects art from the damaging effects of time and from common pollutants that yellow, fade and damage your art. Artcare slows this deterioration and helps extend the life of your art.