Golden State Art Mat Color Guide: Choosing the Best Mat Color For Your Project

Not sure you have chosen the right color? Use Golden State Art mat board hex color code chart to help you!

Link: Mat Board Hex Color Codes Chart

Choosing the right mat color for your artwork is important. From black and white photos to pastel floral paintings, we offer the perfect mat for every project. With 30 colors to choose from on our website, we created this guide introducing each mat color, the sizes they come in, and the best artwork types to pair them with!

• Standard Color Mats

The standard color mats that we offer are white, off white, and black. These colors work great for both black white and color artwork alike. They help keep all the attention on your masterpiece, as opposed to mats in a uniue color which may take away from or throw off the presentation.

White and off white mats work great with black and white photos that are predominantly black. Putting photos that are predominantly white may wash out the presentation and take the focus away from the artwork or photo.  

This is also why we recommend using a black mat with black and white photos and artwork that are predominantly black. 

All three work great with colorful art and photos, as they offer a simple frame to keep the focus on your piece. 

 

White

Color code: 501

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 12x12, 12x16, 14x18, 16x20, 18x24, 20x24

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos that uses vibrant colors. Black and white artwork and photos that are predominantly black.

 

Off White 

Color code: 502

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos that uses vibrant colors. Black and white artwork and photos that are predominantly black. Alternative to bright white for a more subdued look.

 

Tricom Black

Color code: 142

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 12x12, 12x16, 14x18, 16x20, 18x24, 20x24

                    

We recommend: Artwork that uses vibrant colors. Black and white photos that are predominantly white. Alternative to white to make piece pop.

 

• Color Mats 

Color mats offer a unique choice for displaying your masterpiece. While every project is different, we recommend using a color mat with artwork and photos that contain the color of the mat you choose. This helps make the mat a part of the presentation and gives a cohesive look. 

Using a mat that is a color not in the photo or artwork can create a busy look and be unappealing to the eye. 

Color mats can also be great for children’s artwork to give it a fun look for their wall.

Ivory Turret 

Color code: 104

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20                                                                                                                                      

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using light cream tones and colors. Can be used for both lighter and darker pieces. Happy medium between white and cream, alternative to a more rich cream color.

 

Ivory

Color code: 105

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                       

We recommend: Artwork and photos using cream tones and colors. Can be used for both lighter and darker pieces.

 

Deep Yellow

Color code: 212

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deep yellow tones and colors or accents.

 

African Violet

Color code: 122

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using purple tones and colors or accents. Can also pair well with pink tones.

 

China Red

Color code: 117

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using brighter red tones and colors or accents. Great for pieces using autumn colors.

 

Maroon

Color code: 124

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper red tones and colors or accents. Great for pieces using autumn colors.

 

Basque Green

Color code: 131

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using medium green tones and colors or accents.

 

Rock Garden

Color code: 134

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper green tones and colors or accents.

 

Dynamic Blue

Color code: 138

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using medium blue tones and colors or accents.

 

Dignity Blue

Color code: 141

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper blue tones and colors or accents.

 

Smokey Tan

Color code: 159

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper yellow/brown tones and colors or accents.

 

Java

Color code: 162

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using medium brown tones and colors or accents.

 

Well Bred Brown

Color code: 148

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper brown tones and colors or accents.

 

Middle Gray

Color code: 154

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using gray tones and colors or accents.

 

Gray

Color code: 171

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using gray tones and colors or accents.

 

Silver

Color code: 137

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Fun artwork and photos using pops of color paired with silver tones or objects.

 

Old Gold

Color code: 143

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14,16x20

                    

We recommend: Fun artwork and photos using pops of color paired with gold tones or objects.

 

Light Gray

Color code: 120

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using gray tones and colors or accents.

 

Frolic

Color code: 127

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using lighter green tones and colors or accents.

 

Organic Green

Color code: 163

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using medium green tones and colors or accents.

 

Mexican Stone

Color code: 126

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using medium tan/sandy tones and colors or accents.

 

Deep Blue

Color code: 222

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using lighter blue tones and colors or accents.

 

Pink

Color code: 229

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using pink tones and colors or accents.

 

Orange

Color code: 178

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using orange tones and colors or accents. 

 

Earth

Color code: 145

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper orange/red tones and colors or accents. Great for pieces using autumn colors. 

 

Compatible Beige 

Color code: 157

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using lighter tan/sandy tones and colors or accents. In comparison to our ivory turret, Compatible Beige has more of an orange tint to it.

 

Indian Tan

Color code: 158

Sizes available: 5x7, 8x10, 11x14

                    

We recommend: Artwork and photos using deeper lighter tan/sandy tones and colors or accents. In comparison to our ivory, Indian Tan has more of an orange tint to it.

 

Collection: Matboard + Show Kit 

 

Use our custom mat builder to see your vision come to life with a preview of what your photo will look like on different mats! 

We hope you found this guide helpful and informative, and don't forget to tag us on instagram using the hashtag #goldenstateart so we can see what fun mat combinations you come up with!