What is a double mat and why should you use one?

A double mat is actually two mats – one placed directly on top of the other.  The mat on top has a slightly bigger window opening than the mat beneath it, allowing the mat beneath the top mat to show through.  Usually just ¼” of the bottom mat is visible.

A double mat creates a stylish presentation of your artwork that is doubly more sophisticated than a single mat.  For starters, a double mat draws more attention to the artwork by creating a deeper display.  You can even accentuate the artwork by creating a double mat in different colors that relate to the colors in the artwork.  A double mat made from two mats of the same color also creates an elegant display. The possibilities for presenting your art are simply endless when you use a double mat.

At Documounts, you can order custom cut double mats or pre-cut double mats.  Our pre-cut double mats are available in packs of 25 in the following standard sizes:

8 x 10 – inside window of 4.5 x 6.5, fits a 5 x 7 image

11 x 14 – inside window of 7.5 x 9.5, fits an 8 x 10 image

18 x 24 – inside window of 12.5 x 18.5, fits a 13 x 19 image

These pre-cut double mats are cut from pH neutral mat board, so they are suitable for matting open edition reproductions, such as giclees or photographs.  They are available in white or black.  You can also order them as part of Market Ready Mat Kits, which also includes 25 pieces of foam core backing and 25 clear adhesive bags.  This is perfect for getting your art ready to sell at art shows.

If you need an archival double mat, or you want a double mat in other colors, you can order a custom cut double mat from Documounts.  Simply let us know the quality of the mat board that you need, the color and the brand, as well as the size of the double mat.

In addition to mats, Documounts also sells mount board, frames, glazing, adhesives and all of the other basic supplies that you will need to mat, mount and frame your artwork!

Documounts is the best place to buy matting & picture frames.  We’ve specialized in selling custom cut matting & picture frames for nearly 20 years!

If you are an artist or a photographer and you are preparing for your upcoming season of art festivals or your next gallery show, then you will appreciate the bulk savings that you will receive when you buy your matting & picture frames from Documounts.  You don’t even need to buy a ton of matting & picture frames to receive a bulk discount.  For instance, you only need to buy 4 or more of the same custom cut mats or any 4 custom cut wood frames to receive a bulk discount.  When you buy more than that, the discounts run even deeper!

Documounts has a wide selection of matting & picture frames to suit both your budget and your decorating needs.  For instance, if you need matting & picture frames to display original, one-of-a-kind works of art, we carry a range of archival matting that is ideal for conservation purposes.  If you need matting & picture frames to display open edition prints or photographs, then our pH neutral mats will be a good choice.  If you need matting & picture frames for posters or temporary decorative purposes, our economy Canterbury Papermats are a good matting choice.

Our selection of matting & picture frames will also work well with a wide range of decorating styles.  By mixing and matching our matting & picture frames, you can create the right matting & picture frames to compliment cozy country décor, or you can choose matting & picture frames that to harmonize with a contemporary, modern aesthetic.  These are just two examples of the decorating styles that you can achieve with our selection of matting & picture frames.

Documounts also sells all of the basic supplies that you will need to assemble your artwork inside the matting & picture frames.  From archival adhesives to hanging wire, we have the supplies that you will need at every step of the way!

Documounts specializes in selling custom-cut matboard.  We offer custom-cut matboard in three distinct levels of quality: archival, pH neutral, and economy.

• Archival custom-cut matboard is the superior matting option for original, one-of-a-kind works of art, as well as limited edition prints.
• pH neutral custom-cut matboard is the ideal matting solution for open edition reproductions, such as giclees, photographs, and prints.
• Economy custom-cut matboard is an inexpensive choice for matting low-cost prints and posters.

Ordering custom-cut mat board is easy.  All you need to do is select the quality of the custom-cut matboard that best suits your purposes, and then select the color that would best highlight and showcase your artwork.  Next, enter the size that you need for the outer dimensions of the custom-cut matboard, as well as the size of the inner window opening.  Finally, enter the quantity of custom-cut matboard that you will need.

The best thing about buying custom-cut matboard from Documounts is that you will save money when you buy mats in bulk.  You only need to buy 4 of the same custom-cut matboard to receive a bulk discount.  The discount gets even deeper the more you buy.  This is extremely beneficial for artists and photographers who sell lots of work at art festivals and gallery shows.

Documounts sells both custom-cut matboard and pre-cut matboard to suit all your matting needs.  If you are selling a lot of open edition prints that are a standard size, you can save money by ordering packs of pre-cut matboard.

Pre-cut matboard is available in the following sizes:

8 x 10

11 x 14

16 x 20

You can also purchase pre-cut matboard in Market Ready Mat Kits, that include 25 pre-cut mats, 25 pieces of foam core backing, and 25 clear adhesive bags.

If you order custom-cut matboard, you can also buy mount board and clear bags from Documounts.  Documounts sells everything you need to mat, mount and frame your artwork!

Bainbridge Artcare archival products are the premium choice in protecting, preserving, and presenting your artwork.  When you want your artworks and photographs to last for generations, matting and mounting your work with Bainbridge Artcare mats and mount board will ensure that your work is well cared for throughout the years.

There are three different types of Bainbridge Artcare products available at Documounts: Alpharag Artcare, Alphamat Artcare, and Alphamount Artcare.  These Artcare products are the ideal solution for matting and mounting your original, one-of-a-kind works of art, as well as limited edition prints.  Let’s take a closer look at each one of these archival product lines:

Alpharag Artcare is the museum-quality choice for matting your original artworks and limited edition prints.  Alpharag Artcare mats are made from 100% cotton rag, which means that they are naturally acid and lignin free.  These rag mats will protect your artwork against chemical deterioration such as yellowing, staining and fading.  Alpharag Artcare mats are available in 4 ply solid core and 8 ply solid core.

Alphamat Artcare is the top-quality choice in alpha cellulose mats.  These Bainbridge Artcare mat boards are museum-quality and archival, protecting your artwork from acidic erosion and slowing paper degradation.  Artcare Alphamats are available in 4 ply and 6 ply, with white core and black core.

Alphamount Artcare is the museum-quality mounting board made from 100% alpha cellulose.  Alphamount boards are perfect for artists who want to mount their originals and limited edition prints on an archival paper mount board.

Bainbridge Artcare products are the superlative choice for conservation framing.  If you plan to sell a lot of original artwork or limited edition prints at your next gallery show or art fair, then you will be pleased to experience the deep discounts that you will receive when you buy Artcare mats and mount boards in large quantities.  You only need to buy 4 of the same Artcare mat board or mound board to start enjoying a bulk discount – and you will receive even deeper discounts the more that you buy.

In addition to Bainbridge Artcare mats and mount boards, Documounts also sells all of the other tools and supplies that you will need to mat, mount and frame your artwork.

Acid free mat board refers to paper mats that have been manufactured to be acid free.  Because paper naturally contains acid, acid free mat board must be buffered to become pH neutral.  Over time, the buffering on the acid free mat board will wear off and the mat board will become acidic, exposing your artwork to chemical damage such as yellowing and staining.

Because acid free mat board is only temporarily acid free, it is not considered archival and should not be used for conservation purposes.  If you want to mat original, one-of-a-kind works of art, limited edition prints, or any type of valuable paper memorabilia, you should not use an acid free mat board.  Instead, you should use an archival, museum quality rag board that is naturally acid free.  Mat board comes into direct contact with the artwork, so if you want to preserve and protect your artwork, you should choose a mat board such as Crescent Ragmat or Bainbridge Alpharag.

Acid free mat board is an appropriate choice for matting open edition reproductions, such as giclees, photographs, or posters.  Acid free mat board is also appropriate for temporary display purposes.

Documounts offers 2 different brands of acid free mat board: Crescent Papermat and Bainbridge Papermat.  They are all a 4 ply acid free mat board, available with either a white core or a black core.  A “white core” acid free mat board will have a white bevel, while a “black core” acid free mat board will have a black bevel.  These acid free mat boards are available in a wide range of over 100 different colors.

When you buy 4 or more of the same size acid free mat board, you will receive a bulk discount.  The more acid free mat boards that you buy, the deeper the discount becomes.  This is ideal for artists and photographers who sell their artwork at art fairs and need to buy acid free mat board in bulk.

In addition to acid free mat board, Documounts sells all of the supplies that you will need to mat, mount, frame and display your artwork!  You can easily prepare for your next art show when you shop at Documounts.

An 8 ply mat is the ideal choice for artists and photographers who want to present their fine art and photography in a sophisticated style.  The thicker quality of an 8 ply mat provides the weight and appearance of the displays typically seen in museums and galleries.  The deep groove of an 8 ply mat adds a more sculptural dimension to the presentation of your artwork than the thinner 4 ply mats.

The word “ply” describes the thickness of the mat.  When you shop for a mat, you might see them listed as a 4 ply mat or an 8 ply mat.  Most mats are 4 ply.  A 4 ply mat is 1/16 inch thick, while an 8 ply mat is 1/8 inch thick – double the thickness of a 4 ply mat.  The deep bevels of an 8 ply mat showcase your most special artworks in a bold and elegant display.

Documounts offers museum-quality Alpharag Artcare Solid Core 8 ply mats to suit your most refined standards for matting and displaying your fine art and photography.  These archival 8 ply mats are the top-quality choice for exhibiting your high-end artwork and photographs.  Alpharag Artcare 8 ply mats are naturally acid-free because they are made from 100% cotton rag, making them an ideal choice for conservation framing.  Alpharag Artcare 8 ply mats are available in 13 different varieties of whites, creams and blacks.  The bevels of these solid core 8 ply mats are the same color as the front of the board.

In addition to 8 ply mats, Documounts also carries everything else you will need for matting, framing, and displaying your fine art and photography.  Whether you are preparing for an art festival or a gallery exhibit, Documounts has the supplies to help you display your artwork with sophistication and style.

A 16 x 20 mat is a standard size that allows for easy framing inside a readymade frame.  Our standard 16 x 20 mat packs feature mats with an outside dimension of 16 x 20 with an inner window that is 10.5 x 13.5.  Therefore these 16 x 20 mats are the right size for artwork that is 11 x 14.

If you need to mat a lot of artwork that is 11 x 14, you can enjoy great discounts when you buy 16 x 20 mats in bulk.  Documounts offers 16 x 20 mats in qualities ranging from archival to standard to economy, allowing you to choose the 16 x 20 mat that suits your needs and your budget.

If you need to buy a large quantity of 16 x 20 mats to get ready for a season of art festivals or your next gallery show, you order your 16 x 20 mats in bulk from Documounts.  We offer standard pre-cut 16 x 20 mat packs in single or double mats, in white or black, available in quantities of 25.

Documounts understands the needs of artists who achieve volume sales of matted artwork and for this reason, Documounts offers artists the convenience of purchasing Market-Ready Mat Kits that include standard-quality pre-cut 16 x 20 mats, 16 x 20 backing board, and clear adhesive bags that you can easily slide your matted artwork into and display for sale.  Market-Ready Mat Kits are available with the same options as the standard pre-cut 16 x 20 mat packs:

16 x 20 Single White Mat Pack

16 x 20 Double White Mat Pack

16 x 20 Single Black Mat Pack

16 x 20 Double Black Mat Pack

If you would like to order a 16 x 20 mat in a different color or cut from a different quality of mat board, you can also enjoy savings when you buy your custom 16 x 20 mats in bulk from Documounts.  You only need to order 4 of the same 16 x 20 mat to start saving!

Documounts carries a wide range of matting, mounting and framing supplies, making us your one-stop shop for all your matting and framing needs!

If you need 11×14 mats to get ready for your upcoming art show, look no further!  Documounts offers both pre-cut 11×14 mats and custom-cut 11×14 mats to suit your matting needs.  Our 11×14 mats conveniently fit into our readymade frames, creating an easy solution for matting and framing your fine art and photography with both low hassle and low cost.

There are several different options available for purchasing 11×14 mats in pre-cut packs from Documounts:

11×14 Mats for a 8×10 – Single White Mat Packs

11×14 Mats for a 8×10 – Double White Mat Packs

11×14 Mats for a 8×10 – Single Black Mat Packs

11×14 Mats for a 8×10 – Double Black Mat Packs

11×14 Mats for a 5×7 – White, Centered Window Mat Packs

11×14 Mats for a 5×7 – White, Vertical, Weighted Mat Packs

Even more conveniently, these 11×14 mats are available for purchase as part of kits that also include 11×14 backing board and clear bags that will fit the matted artwork.  This makes it even easier to prepare for your upcoming appearance at an art festival or gallery show!

Our Market-Ready Mat Kits are available for the 11×14 mats that have an opening for an 8×10.  These pH neutral 11×14 mats are sold in quantities of 25, along with the 25 pieces of foam core backing and 25 clear adhesive bags.

Our 11×14 mats with openings for a 5×7 are available as Showcase Ready Kits.  These pH neutral 11×14 mats are sold in quantities of 50, along with 50 1/8” foam core backing and 50 clear bags.  These mats feature a wide border between the window opening and the edge of the mat board, creating a more distinctive display option.

If you need custom 11×14 mats in a different color or cut from a different quality of mat board, you can also order these from Documounts and enjoy deep savings when you buy in large quantities.  You only have to buy 4 of the same mat to start saving!

Documounts caters to the needs of artists and photographers by offering a convenient place to buy everything you will need for your next art show – from matting and mounting supplies to framing supplies.

A custom mat from Documounts is the perfect solution for those artworks that don’t quite fit into standard sized mats.  When you need a custom mat for your fine art or photography, Documounts can easily create a high-quality custom mat to suit your exact requirements.

A custom mat allows you the flexibility to create the exact look that you desire, broadening your display options for the best presentation of your artwork and photography.  For instance, standard, pre-cut mats are typically available only in a small range of colors: white, off-white or black.  Yet, there’s a whole rainbow of colors out there to explore!  You can choose a custom mat in a color that enhances the colors in your artwork.  Documounts offers colors from Marigold to Imperial Plum, Papaya to Periwinkle, and wide range of others.  The display and decorating possibilities are endless when you order a custom mat from Documounts.

There are other ways in which a custom mat allows you much more freedom when deciding the best way to display your art.  For instance, while pre-cut mats are only available as single or double mats in white or black, you can order a single custom mat, double custom mat, or even triple custom mat in any colors that you choose.  Such versatility allows your creativity free reign over the presentation of your artwork.

You can also create a custom mat with multiple openings or “windows”, each one sized to your exact needs.  They don’t even have to be square or rectangular – Documounts can create the window of your custom mat in a variety of shapes, such as circles, ovals and arches!  This allows for many exciting display possibilities.

Don’t try to squeeze your art into a standard size mat, when you can easily order a custom mat online from Documounts!  When you buy more than 3 custom mats in the same size and color, the bulk discount kicks in – saving you money and allowing more of your artwork to be displayed in a custom mat of your own design.

When your artwork or photography is ready for framing, there are many options to consider.  From the color and style of frame matting, to the materials and design of the frame itself, the selections you choose can enhance your artwork in numerous ways.

When it comes to frame matting, Documounts offers many customization options.

Option 1 – Frame Matting Quality

Choose from our three levels of frame matting quality:  Economy, Standard and Archival.  These various levels of frame matting quality allow you to get a quality mat at any price point.

Option 2 – Frame Matting Layers and Setbacks

Choose single, double or triple frame matting to complement your artwork.  The standard setback for frame matting is ¼”.  However, you can select from 14 additional setback options for a completely custom look.  When choosing multiple layers, you will select the setback, quality of frame matting and color for each layer.

Option 3 – Reverse Bevel

If you opt for a reverse bevel, the 45 degree angle is reversed so that no bevel shows against your artwork.  Artist who work with chalk pastels commonly use this frame matting option.  The reverse bevel is also preferred for a clean, sharp look. The cost of the reverse bevel option is $1.50 per mat.

Option 4 – Frame Matting Color

Options abound when it comes to color selection.  Depending on the type of frame matting you choose, there could be as many as 150 color choices or more.  When opting for multiple layers of frame matting, the color combinations you choose can add drama to any piece.

Option 5 – Blank Frame Matting

Would you prefer to order your frame matting without an opening?  No problem, we can do that.  You will receive a 20% discount for any blank frame matting order.

Option 6 – Frame Matting Sizes

When ordering your frame matting, you will be able to select both the inside and outside dimensions of your frame matting.

Option 7 – Frame Matting with V-Groove

For a unique, decorative look, opt for a V-Groove accent.  This decorative channel line that is cut into the face of the mat.  This is a stunning frame matting option.  If you would like your frame matting to include a V-Groove you must choose the amount of space the V-Groove will be out from the window

Option 8 – Weighted Window Frame Matting

Custom frame matting typically comes with a centered window opening, so that distance from the window to the edge of the frame is consistent from top to bottom and side to side.  We also offer the option of weighted window frame matting.   A weighted window will typically have an additional ½” to 1” of space from the bottom of the window to the edge of the frame matting.  This additional space helps to balance the look of the artwork and can also add visual interest to smaller pieces of artwork.

Option 9 – Discounted Frame Matting

At Documounts, we value your business.  The more frame matting that you order, the more you save.  Discounts begin with the order of the just 4 mat boards.   Click here for a full list of our frame matting discounts.

Your complete satisfaction is our goal, so customize to your heart’s content.  No matter the frame matting options you choose, we are certain you will receive the best quality mat board and service from Documounts.  Click here to begin the process of customizing your frame matting order.