Custom Matting Portland
Mats & Liners FAQs
What is the difference between a linen liner and a mat?
A mat is made of paper. Your artwork sits behind the mat. Mats create a polished, classic presentation, adding depth and scale, while softening the transition from image to frame. Mats are available in a multitude of colors, textures and styles and can be custom cut to fit almost any size.
A linen liner is made of linen stretched over a wooden frame. Your artwork will sit inside the linen liner. Genuine linen over natural wood makes for an elegant, upscale presentation. Linen liners add depth and soften the transition from image to frame. Linen liners are a perfect accompaniment to canvas art, paintings of all kinds and even photos. They also add structural support for larger pieces of art.
Which mat should I choose?
When framing and matting a photo, document or piece of art, you must consider the value of the object being framed. If your piece is purely decorative, you can choose one of our many of décor mats, from cotton to metallic to suede, in a huge array of colors and styles. These mats are an economical choice for many types of presentations, however may not protect your piece over the course of many years. If you are framing a valuable and irreplaceable object that you intend to preserve for generations, you should choose one of our acid-free, lignin-free mats. These pH neutral mats meet conservation standards. We offer conservation-grade matting in a variety of styles and colors.