Difference Between Mat Board And Foam Board

Mount board gives custom framed photos stability and is an essential part of picture framing.

Difference between mat board and foam board.

Art items that you might encounter are posterboard illustration board foam core and tag board. Rag mat board is made from cotton. 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. It comes in lots and lots of colors.

Foamboard is easily formed into shapes that can be used for interior design and architectural models. A wood pulp based acid neutralized mat board the industry standard and the most popular kind. It is commonly used for the mounting of prints and photographs and as backing in picture frames. Regular mat board is made from wood pulp which is buffered ph balanced during manufacture.

What s the difference between mat board mount board and foam core. Regular mat board sometimes called paper board. 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. 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.

For any original artwork we recommend a conservation quality backing to go with any conservation or museum grade mat board. 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. When you walk down the art aisle at a store you may feel overwhelmed. Most people are familiar with the basic components of a framing package including the frame itself and the glazing.

Posterboard for example is the most versatile and probably the most used. You can also choose between white and cream for the inside color. Unlike mat board mount board is generally made of foam often polystyrene with a smooth sometimes paper based face on either side. But there s more to it than that namely the mat board and mount board.

Each of the choices may look similar but serve different purposes. Some mounting boards like the artcare alpharag cotton mounting board do not use foam in order to enhance the ability to preserve the artwork. 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. What is the difference between crescent s rag mat board and their regular acid free mat board.