A weighted gallery mat adds an extra visual elegance to the display of your artwork.  Most mats, especially pre-cut mats in standard sizes, usually have a centered window that is equidistant from all 4 edges of the mat.  A weighted gallery mat, on the other hand, usually has a “weighted” bottom that is at least ½” longer than the other sides of the mat.

A weighted gallery mat is a good choice when matting important works of art that you would like to display in a sophisticated way.  Because most mats are centered, a weighted gallery mat stands out from the crowd, highlighting the artwork in a stylish presentation.

What is the best type of mat board to use for a weighted gallery mat?  You will want to create a weighted gallery mat from a high quality mat board, preferably one that is archival.  Bainbridge Alpharag or Crescent Ragmat are excellent choices for displaying your artwork within a weighted gallery mat.  Bainbridge Alpharag and Crescent Ragmat are both made from 100% cotton rag, which is naturally acid and lignin free.  This means that both of these choices are ideal for creating your weighted gallery mat, especially for conservation framing purposes.

When you need more than one custom cut gallery mat, you will enjoy the bulk discount you will receive when you buy 4 or more of the same custom cut gallery mat.  The more gallery mats you buy, the deeper the discount becomes.  This is excellent for artists, photographers, galleries and museums that need to buy a lot of weighted gallery mats to display their finest works of art.

Documounts also sells all of the supplies and materials that you will need to assemble your artwork inside the weighted gallery mat. You will need supplies such as mounting board and an adhesive, such as archival tape.  Documounts sells everything you need to mat, mount and frame your artwork!

Whenever you need high-quality mat boards or mount boards, look for products made by Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge is the leading manufacturer of mats, mounting boards, and metal frames.  Documounts sells a variety of mats and frames created by Nielsen Bainbridge.

Nielsen Bainbridge products that you can buy from Documounts include:

Alpharag mats by Nielsen Bainbridge

Nielsen Bainbridge Alphamat mat boards

Nielsen Bainbridge Papermat mat boards

Mounting Boards by Nielsen Bainbridge

Metal Frames by Nielsen Bainbridge

Nielsen Bainbridge products are well-known for being reliable and dependable. If you are seeking to buy boards and metal frames manufactured by a company you can trust, look for Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge created an Archival Artcare System that includes mats and mounting boards that will protect and preserve your original artwork and limited edition prints for generations to come.  When you want your artwork to last, choose products by Nielsen Bainbridge.

Nielsen Bainbridge mats are the top choice for conservation framing.  The top-of-the-line archival option is Alpharag mats by Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge Alpharag mats are made from 100% cotton rag, making them naturally acid and lignin free.  You can also buy archival mounting board by Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge Artcare 4 ply mounting board is a museum-quality paper mounting board made from 100% alpha cellulose.

Alphamats and Top Mats are also archival mats made by Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge mats such as these are also made from 100% alpha cellulose.  You can buy mats that are 4 ply, 6 ply, and 8 ply by Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge mats are also available in a wide variety of colors!

Documounts is proud to carry select products from Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge products are unsurpassed in terms of quality and customer satisfaction.  Documounts sells much more than just products by Nielsen Bainbridge.  Nielsen Bainbridge mats, mounts, adhesives, frames – Documounts carries it all, and more!

When it comes time to choose the art mat that best complements your work, the selection can be overwhelming.  Choosing the best art mat for your project can be a challenge; especially since the type of art mat you choose may vary based on how you intend to display your work.  For those who plan on selling their art at fairs or festivals, a simple white mat may suffice.  Others who plan on showcasing their work at galleries or in studios may desire an art mat that is thicker or one with color.

So how do you know which art mat to choose?  Use these 5 tips to choose the best art mat for your work.

Tip # 1 – Know when to choose archival quality art mat.

For artist framing limited edition pieces and one of a kind artwork, choosing an art mat that is of archival quality is essential.  An archival quality art mat has been treated so that all of the acids are removed from the paper.  Archival quality mats will protect and preserve your art for years to come.

Tip # 2 – Choose a high end art mat for a gallery quality look.

If a gallery quality look is important to you, consider a higher end art mat such as the Bainbridge Alphamat, Alpharag or Top Mat Alphamat.  All of these matting options provide a high end look and feel for your artwork.  Click here to view our gallery quality art mat options.

Tip # 3 – Consider the thickness of the art mat.

Top quality art mat comes in several thicknesses.  Bainbridge offers art mat in 4, 6 and 8 Ply thicknesses.  The Alpharag archival quality art mat comes in both the 4 and 8 Ply thicknesses.  The 8 Ply Alpharag is 1/8” thick; twice the thickness of a standard mat.  An 8 Ply art mat will provide a bolder more sculpted bevel.

The Bainbridge Top Mat Alphamat is 6 Ply, or one and half times the thickness of a standard mat.  This type of art mat is of archival quality and enhances the look of your art.  Click here to view these types of art mat.

Tip # 4 – Know what color art mat you want.

Sometimes the hardest part of choosing an art mat is choosing the color.  Depending on the type of art mat you choose, you may have as many as 150 color options.  From bright and bold colors, to shades of white, your color options are nearly endless.  Having an idea of what color you want will make the selection process easier.

Tip # 5 – If you are matting large quantities of art, consider our bulk options.

At Documounts, we offer pre-cut art mat kits.  Our pre-cut kits options include same sized art mat in quantities of 25 and kits that include the art mat, backing board and clear bags in quantities of 25 or 50.  Click here to view our pre-cut kits.