Most people think of only the frame when they imagine wooden photo frames -- they never think of the mat board where their picture actually sits. There are positive and negative sides to each of the three different mat boards you can choose from. Let's examine each in turn and see which is right for you.
Acidic Pulp: Paper Matboard
Thanks to its wood pulp, paper matboarding has a high acid level. Most businesses will tell you their paper matboard is somehow acid free, but that's impossible whenever there's any quantity of wood pulp present. What these companies do is buffer the surface of their mat boarding, which reduces the acid levels for a time. In five years, that acid level will be through the roof once more -- this means that unless you don't mind risking serious damage to your paintings, it's best to use these matboards temporarily.
The only benefit to going with paper matboard is its bottomed out price.
Archiving With Cost: Cotton Rag Matboard
Cotton rag matboarding is purified and perfect for keeping your paintings fresh and stunning for years and years. It is free of acid and lignin, which limits your color selection for the matboard but also means there will be no damage to your painting over time. Created with a series of cotton board layered over one another for a thick base, this matboard is dyed for a uniform appearance.
The trouble is that cotton rag is by no means cheap. You could buy two paper matboards for less than the price of a single cotton rag. If you're looking to house paintings permanently, the price should be a welcome trade for the security of your precious art pieces.
A Happy Medium: Alpha Cellulose Matboard
The alpha cellulose matboard is made from acid free wooden fibers, thanks to a generous dose of chemicals. These matboards are also much more stable and are good for archiving paintings you want to keep around for an extended period of time.
The price is manageable as well, which makes this matboard a nice choice for those not wanting to spend too much money, but willing to blow enough to keep their materials safe for the foreseeable future.
Identifying What You Need
Do you want a matboard for art you purchased in the budget section of a dollar store? If that's the case, then you should definitely pick up a paper matboard, which will be cheap and hold up for about as long as you'll want something like that on your walls.
If you're instead looking to keep great pieces of art looking great for your lifetime, and possibly more, then it is without question worth the additional money to archive your paintings. You'll be able to make more money, but once that piece of art is damaged, it's gone for good. - 29955
Acidic Pulp: Paper Matboard
Thanks to its wood pulp, paper matboarding has a high acid level. Most businesses will tell you their paper matboard is somehow acid free, but that's impossible whenever there's any quantity of wood pulp present. What these companies do is buffer the surface of their mat boarding, which reduces the acid levels for a time. In five years, that acid level will be through the roof once more -- this means that unless you don't mind risking serious damage to your paintings, it's best to use these matboards temporarily.
The only benefit to going with paper matboard is its bottomed out price.
Archiving With Cost: Cotton Rag Matboard
Cotton rag matboarding is purified and perfect for keeping your paintings fresh and stunning for years and years. It is free of acid and lignin, which limits your color selection for the matboard but also means there will be no damage to your painting over time. Created with a series of cotton board layered over one another for a thick base, this matboard is dyed for a uniform appearance.
The trouble is that cotton rag is by no means cheap. You could buy two paper matboards for less than the price of a single cotton rag. If you're looking to house paintings permanently, the price should be a welcome trade for the security of your precious art pieces.
A Happy Medium: Alpha Cellulose Matboard
The alpha cellulose matboard is made from acid free wooden fibers, thanks to a generous dose of chemicals. These matboards are also much more stable and are good for archiving paintings you want to keep around for an extended period of time.
The price is manageable as well, which makes this matboard a nice choice for those not wanting to spend too much money, but willing to blow enough to keep their materials safe for the foreseeable future.
Identifying What You Need
Do you want a matboard for art you purchased in the budget section of a dollar store? If that's the case, then you should definitely pick up a paper matboard, which will be cheap and hold up for about as long as you'll want something like that on your walls.
If you're instead looking to keep great pieces of art looking great for your lifetime, and possibly more, then it is without question worth the additional money to archive your paintings. You'll be able to make more money, but once that piece of art is damaged, it's gone for good. - 29955
About the Author:
Wooden photo frames have been reliable for many eras of painters and art buffs -- they provide beauty and elegance with a price that won't empty your account. Why not pick up personalized picture frames for your art and photos? Make sure you buy from an authorized dealer to make sure you're getting genuine quality.
