A mat is a border, usually made from mat board, placed around the artwork. The purpose of the mat is, first, to provide a spacer or separation between the artwork and the frame or glass. If the glass comes into contact with the art, there could be a risk of damage to the artwork. This damage may come in the form of mold, or the artwork adhering to the underside of the glass. Second, the mat, particularly the color of the mat, draws the eye into the picture. By altering the colors in the mats, we can make the colors in the art stand out. Mat boards come in a variety of colors and textures which will allow your FastFrame design consultant to select the mats that are just right for your picture. And third, the mat hides the mechanics of the framed piece. For instance, the mat will cover the mounting method used such as a hinge or dry mount.

The standard size of mat board is 32 x 40 inches, but some colors will come in an oversized 40 x 60 inches. The standard thickness of a mat board is 4 ply, which is about 2 mm. Mat boards are also made in a limited color range of six, eight and twelve ply thicknesses. These thicker mats create a dramatic presentation, drawing the eye directly to the art.