Difference Between Mat Board And Foam Board

Mat board is what is used to mat pictures with when they are framed it s found in the framing department of michael s or at a picture framer s.

Difference between mat board and foam board.

If your mat board is of an economy grade we recommend the white rpb boards or for something thicker the standard or acid free foam core offers more support for larger artwork. A wood pulp based acid neutralized mat board the industry standard and the most popular kind. Regular mat board is made from wood pulp which is buffered ph balanced during manufacture. When you walk down the art aisle at a store you may feel overwhelmed.

What s the difference between mat board mount board and foam core. You can also choose between white and cream for the inside color. Rag mat board is made from cotton. Unlike mat board mount board is generally made of foam often polystyrene with a smooth sometimes paper based face on either side.

Mount boards often also referred to as foamcore come in a variety of thicknesses your choice of black or white and support different mounting techniques such as self adhesive mount boards versus heat activated board. Each of the choices may look similar but serve different purposes. Most people are familiar with the basic components of a framing package including the frame itself and the glazing. Mount board gives custom framed photos stability and is an essential part of picture framing.

Backing is used to provide support and protection for your artwork either in a picture frame or as a standalone product in a show kit we offer economy pressboard standard matboard backing archival quality backing foam board regular and acid free as well self adhesive archival. But there s more to it than that namely the mat board and mount board. The core and back of the board are acid free but not the surface paper. For any original artwork we recommend a conservation quality backing to go with any conservation or museum grade mat board.

Posterboard for example is the most versatile and probably the most used. It is commonly used for the mounting of prints and photographs and as backing in picture frames. It comes in lots and lots of colors. Some mounting boards like the artcare alpharag cotton mounting board do not use foam in order to enhance the ability to preserve the artwork.

Regular mat board sometimes called paper board. Foamboard is easily formed into shapes that can be used for interior design and architectural models. A cotton core and cotton backed mat board with acid neutralized face papers used widely by commercial frame shops and those seeking an extra degree of protection. Foam board or foam core board is a strong and lightweight material that is easily cut with a sharp craft knife or picture framing mat cutter.