I was thinking of double matting some 16x20's to 22x28 and, having never gone that big before with mats, ran into a question. Assume for the moment that the opening of the bottom mat (the one next to the print) is 15 1/2" x 19 1/2". I am debating on using two white mats, or a white on top and black on the bottom, although the latter is what I am leaning towards.
What is a good size for the opening of the top mat? I suspect that a 1/4" border is going to look goofy, but I don't have enough of a feel to really know if 3/8" or 1/2" border will look better.
I was also thinking about using a bottom mat 1" wider than the print, so a 16x20 would have a bottom mat opening of 17x21. I recently saw a number of Danny Burk's prints single matted this way and it looked fantastic, but I suspect getting everything even may test my patience
I also realize that matching the color of the mat to the image would be ideal, but to make my life easier for shows, I am going to stick with white on top, maybe black on the bottom. White is almost never wrong, although I'll grant you it sometimes isn't the best color for a particular image.
Any suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I've done it both ways (double mat and single mat with white space) and personally prefer the double mat option. The single mat is great for art shows or other venues where you want to set off the print but still keep your costs down.
1/4" border between the bottom and top mats sounds about right if you use thick mat board (6 or 8-ply) or when the bottom mat is a different color that you want bordering the image. I sometimes like to get them even closer when both mats are the same color, to give it a "stair step" effect and create a 3D look by adding depth.
I double mat my 16x20 prints. I use a 3.5 inch overall mat border. I use a 1/2 inch border between the inner and outer mat for a 4-ply mat board. The thicker you go in mats the narrower you can make the border between inner and outer mats.
When matting, double matting really makes them stand out. Use the inner mat color to bring out the color in the image you want to make stand out a bit.
Youseff is correct 1/2 is about right.
Also, if you make the bottom of the mat about 1/2 larger than the top it will also help to make the print stand out.
Are you around? The wildflowers etc are going great up here. Come up if you have a chance.
Jack, thanks for the information. I am heading to Acadia this evening and will be getting back on the 21'rst. Right now, my plans are to stop through Cuyahoga on the way back, but that depends how ambitious I am. Memorial Day, maybe... I'll be in touch.
Discussion
4 repliesWhat is a good size for the opening of the top mat? I suspect that a 1/4" border is going to look goofy, but I don't have enough of a feel to really know if 3/8" or 1/2" border will look better.
I was also thinking about using a bottom mat 1" wider than the print, so a 16x20 would have a bottom mat opening of 17x21. I recently saw a number of Danny Burk's prints single matted this way and it looked fantastic, but I suspect getting everything even may test my patience
I also realize that matching the color of the mat to the image would be ideal, but to make my life easier for shows, I am going to stick with white on top, maybe black on the bottom. White is almost never wrong, although I'll grant you it sometimes isn't the best color for a particular image.
Any suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
1/4" border between the bottom and top mats sounds about right if you use thick mat board (6 or 8-ply) or when the bottom mat is a different color that you want bordering the image. I sometimes like to get them even closer when both mats are the same color, to give it a "stair step" effect and create a 3D look by adding depth.
Guy
I double mat my 16x20 prints. I use a 3.5 inch overall mat border. I use a 1/2 inch border between the inner and outer mat for a 4-ply mat board. The thicker you go in mats the narrower you can make the border between inner and outer mats.
When matting, double matting really makes them stand out. Use the inner mat color to bring out the color in the image you want to make stand out a bit.
Youseff is correct 1/2 is about right.
Also, if you make the bottom of the mat about 1/2 larger than the top it will also help to make the print stand out.
Are you around? The wildflowers etc are going great up here. Come up if you have a chance.
JG