Ah, the good ol’ single versus double mat dilemma. This is another quandary I often face when it comes to framing my prize-winning shots. Again, this one comes down to personal preference. However, there are a few tips you should keep in mind before settling on one mat or two:
Single Mat. If you decide your photo will look fine with a single mat, you might want to stick with a neutral color. This, of course, doesn’t mean your options are dramatically limited. Neutrals can range from ecru to off white to eggshell to Olde Gray. Bottom line: Any neutral tone will enhance your framed photo but some will stand out more than others. Experiment with neutrals before simply going with white.
Double Mat. If you decide to go with the double mat, one suggestion is to pick a neutral color on top and a colorful one for the inner mat closest to your photo. I like to add a punch of color to the entire image by using a mat that matches the dominant color in my shot. The contrast helps add new dimension to a picture.
Another option is to try something monochromatic. By keeping all your mats the same color, it softens the eye’s transition across the layers. You want to avoid color transitions that are too extreme. For example, you don’t want to choose an inner layer of red with a face mat of purple surrounding a picture of a cobalt blue ocean.
Also, if you’re double matting you want to steer clear of using two mats that are the same width. Another tip when layering mats – don’t overdo it. Too many mats teamed up with a busy image can cause visual overload.
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Framing Your Favorite Photos–Choosing the Right Mat
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