How Should I Attach My Art to My Picture Frame Mats?

You've taken the time to select your picture frame mats or pre cut mat board, but now that you have it, you might be unsure how to safely attach your artwork to the mat without damaging either of them and keep the piece centered in the frame. Some people choose to use standard clear tape, but the wrong type of tape can damage your artwork or discolor it. At Matboard Plus, we sell adhesive linen hinging tape that has a neutral pH balance, meaning it won’t leach acid or other impurities onto your artwork or your mat. We also sell  Hayaku® Gummed Japanese Hinging Paper, which is incredibly strong and can be used to repair damaged spots on mats and artwork.

Some artists opt to use a dry-mounting method, which attaches the art directly to the mat, but must be done very carefully, since heat and glue are involved. Without the proper technique, bubbling may occur, damaging your artwork and ruining your mat. This is a method best left to highly-trained people that have years of experience (and plenty of trial and error) under their belts.

Matboard Plus also sells self adhesive polypropylene corners in various sizes, which can be attached to the mat board or the backer board, and then you can slide the painting or photograph inside without the need for any adhesive. Ultimately, it’s up to you how you adhere or attach your art to your picture frame mats, but it’s best to be informed about all the methods before you decide on one.