Custom matboards in various colors and sizes displayed with framed artwork and photographs

How to Choose Custom Matboards for Artwork and Photos: The Complete 2026 Guide

Your favorite photograph deserves better than a standard frame. Studies show that 73% of artists and photographers report that proper matting significantly enhances how their work is perceived and valued—yet most people have no idea where to start when selecting the right matboard. Since 2012, Matboard and More LLC has established itself as America's go-to source for custom matting solutions, earning its reputation by understanding what artists, photographers, and home decorators actually need: flexibility, quality, and affordability all wrapped into one product.

The matting landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. What once required expensive trips to local framing shops or settling for limited options can now be sourced entirely online with precision and care. Matboard and More's custom matboards have become the industry standard because they solve a fundamental problem: how to display artwork professionally without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about selecting custom matboards for your specific needs, from sizing and color options to preservation features that keep your artwork protected for generations.

Discover custom matboards that transform your artwork presentation

Understanding Custom Matboard Sizing and Dimensions

The sizing flexibility offered by custom matboards removes a major barrier that has long frustrated artists and decorators. Rather than forcing your artwork into predetermined dimensions, you can order mats in virtually any custom size up to 32" x 40" without incurring additional charges. This means whether you're framing an unusual rectangular photograph, a square canvas, or an oversized print, the matboard adapts to your vision rather than the reverse.

For those seeking convenience without customization, standard size options remain readily available: 8×10", 11×14", 16×20", and 18×24". These popular dimensions cover the majority of framing projects and ship quickly for time-sensitive displays.

Precision matters more than most people realize. Customers consistently praise the exact measurement accuracy that ensures perfect fits. When a mat arrives cut to your specifications, it demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail that elevates the entire presentation.

Single and double mat configurations offer creative flexibility. A single mat provides clean, classic framing, while layering two mats creates visual depth and allows complementary colors to frame your artwork in ways that single-mat designs cannot achieve.

Exploring Color Options That Match Your Vision

The color selection at Matboard and More spans hundreds of possibilities, each carefully curated to complement different artistic styles and interior aesthetics. Finding the precise shade that enhances rather than competes with your artwork becomes genuinely achievable through this extensive palette.

White and black matboards dominate sales for good reason—their versatility transcends specific design trends. A crisp white mat brings clarity and focus to bold or colorful artwork, while black creates dramatic contrast and works beautifully with contemporary pieces. These neutral foundations prove their worth across countless applications, from gallery exhibitions to residential living rooms.

Complementary color selection requires understanding how matboard color impacts overall artwork perception. A thoughtfully chosen color can draw the eye deeper into your piece, highlight specific tones within the artwork, or create intentional visual separation that frames the composition perfectly. The matboard becomes an active participant in how viewers experience your art.

Texture variations add another dimension to aesthetic possibilities. Paper finishes deliver a classic, subtle appearance, while suede textures introduce tactile richness and soften the visual presentation. These textural choices work particularly well in gallery settings or homes with sophisticated interior design.

Explore hundreds of matboard colors and textures to perfectly frame your work

Selecting the Right Quality Tier for Your Needs

Matboard and More offers three distinct quality levels, each serving different purposes and budgets while maintaining baseline standards of craftsmanship.

Economy Berkshire Crescent®

Economy matboards suit reprints and posters destined for casual display. This budget-friendly option delivers the essential framing function without premium preservation features, making it ideal for artwork intended to refresh seasonally or serve temporary purposes.

Decorative Crescent®

The mid-range quality tier works beautifully for galleries and home use, striking a balance between affordability and professional appearance. Available in both paper and suede textures, Decorative Crescent® matboards provide visible quality without the premium investment required by conservation-grade materials.

Conservation Crescent® Select Photo Mats

For valuable pieces, heirloom photographs, and significant artwork, conservation-grade matboards represent the meaningful investment required to protect irreplaceable items. These archival, acid-free mats are specifically designed to preserve artwork for centuries, preventing degradation that lesser materials would permit.

Preservation and Archival Considerations

The chemistry of matboard construction directly determines how effectively your artwork survives decades or centuries of storage and display. Acid-free construction prevents chemical degradation that destroys artwork through yellowing, fading, and structural deterioration. This isn't theoretical concern—it's measurable, observable reality that separates temporary framing from genuine preservation.

Conservation-grade materials represent an investment in long-term artwork protection that proves its value across years and generations. Family photographs that survive in good condition become more valuable, not just monetarily but emotionally, as they remain visually intact for future family members to experience and appreciate.

Color shift and yellowing occur when acidic matboards interact with artwork over time. Quality matboards prevent these issues by maintaining neutral pH and using archival-quality materials throughout construction. The original artwork appearance remains unchanged, allowing future viewers to see exactly what the artist intended.

Heirloom pieces—valuable paintings, significant photographs, or artwork with sentimental importance—deserve protection commensurate with their worth. Conservation matboards provide this protection, ensuring these irreplaceable items remain in condition to be appreciated by future generations.

Affordability and Volume Discounts

Competitive pricing for custom sizes eliminates the cost penalty that once accompanied customization. You pay reasonable rates without compromising quality, making professional matting accessible to individual artists, photographers, and home decorators rather than exclusively to framing shops and galleries.

Made in the USA manufacturing ensures quality control while supporting domestic production. This commitment to American manufacturing allows customers to support local industry while accessing products made with rigorous quality standards.

Volume discounts apply to bulk orders, providing significant cost savings for artists managing multiple pieces, businesses needing consistent framing supplies, or framing shops ordering for clients. These economies of scale make professional matting even more affordable for those handling larger projects.

The transparent pricing structure eliminates hidden charges for customization. Custom dimensions, unusual sizes, and special color selections cost no more than standard orders—what you see is what you pay, with no surprise fees appearing at checkout.

Elevate Your Artwork Presentation Today

Choosing the right custom matboard transforms how artwork and photographs are perceived and preserved. Whether protecting a valuable family heirloom with conservation-grade acid-free matting, creating a gallery wall in a home with complementary colors, or framing professional work for exhibition, Matboard and More delivers the quality, customization, and affordability that artists and decorators trust.

The extensive range of sizes—from standard 8×10" to custom dimensions up to 32" x 40"—combined with hundreds of color options and multiple quality tiers, ensures you'll find the perfect solution for your specific needs. Fast shipping, USA-based production, and consistently excellent customer service make the ordering process straightforward and stress-free. Generic framing solutions shortchange your artwork's potential and presentation possibilities.

Start exploring custom matboards and experience professional-quality framing today


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