Mat Board Suggestion

[Scott W]

I am trying to find out more about mat boards. I have been doing some reading but still have a few questions. Besides acid free is there any other major requirments when buying? I know you can get different grades but im not sure what is necessary.

Does the Backing have to be acid free?

What is my best bet, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Would something like this work? ( Why so much cheaper the all the other ones I see?)

http://www.goldenstateart.com/16x20-...x14-p-447.html

http://www.goldenstateart.com/16x20-...x14-p-468.html


With museum mats do you use a blank museum mat as backing.

Found this site http://www.redimat.com/products/museum.html

Buy the blanks and cut myself seems like the most cost friendly way. Any thoughts?

An even Better Price ( Are there different grades of museum mat board)
http://cgi.ebay.com/20-Museum-Matboa...3286.m20.l1116

[historic]

Scott,
Don't be fooled by the the phrase 'acid free'. It is very deceiving. What you want to look for is the word 'Cotton' or 'Rag'. These mats are made from cotton and are naturally free of any acid producing matter, typically something called lignin. Lignin is a product of wood pulp and very acidic.

Many paper mats (read wood pulp and lignin) are buffered to neutralised the acid with sodium bicarbonate (Tums or Rolaids) and over time the buffer will wear out. The mats bevels will turn to brownish and acid will leach into anything touching it. For the extra few bucks I would stick with museum quality mats.

Bart

[Scott W]

With museum mats do you use a blank museum mat as backing.

Found this site http://www.redimat.com/products/museum.html

Buy the blanks and cut myself seems like the most cost friendly way. Any thoughts?

An even Better Price ( Are there different grades of museum mat board)
http://cgi.ebay.com/20-Museum-Matboa...3286.m20.l1116

[KrozFan]

You can either use museum mat, or 100% acid free foam core. I like to use foam core if you have enough space in the frame. If you're going to be doing a lot of matting it's worth it to cut your own mats, assuming you have the time. Buy a good quality mat cutter, I went cheap and got this one Mat Cutting Kit and now I regret it. I suggest one like this Board Mounted Mat Cutter: Compact or the next size up.

[LA]

If you are wanting to know about mounting photos, I have been using a Styrene board through my lab. It won`t warp and it is not as thick as foamcore. Comes in black and white. Been real happy with it so far.www.codamount.com Check it out. Larry

[jcb]

If you're looking for mat board, try Hobby Lobby. I don't know if you live near one, but if you do check out their stock. It's been on sale for 50% off just about every other week.
Hobby Lobby also carries Logan products. And they go on sale quite often, too.