Mat Board – The material used to create an appealing transition between the image and the frame.

Types of mat board

• Decorative – Paper buffered with calcium carbonate to alkaline reserve of 3-5% 
• Recommended for general presentation and posters
• Conservation – Made from alpha-cellulose (wood pulp) fibers that have been chemically treated to eliminate the acids and lignins that can degrade the mat board and the artwork
• Recommended for fine art prints, limited editions valuable documents and photography

• Ragmat – Cotton material that is the only mounting and matting board guaranteed safe next to any artwork, prefered by museums and preservationists

Styles of mat board

• Plain Color – Just about any color with a cream colored core (center)
• Accents – Printed decorative surface patterns
• White Core – The core of the mat is bright white but the selection is more limited
• Black Core – The core of the mat is black and adds contrast and drama
• Fabric – Available in suede linen and leather (only available in black core), they also come with the options of white core or black core