Terminology

Learn terms to better understand what you're purchasing and how it can help.

 

Acid-Free: Acid-free paper is designed to have a neutral or slightly basic pH (7 or above) when infused with water. This helps to preserve documents and artwork for longer periods. Made from cellulose fibers, acid-free paper ensures that active acid pulp is removed during processing. Although acid-free paper typically lasts for several years, it’s essential to keep it away from direct sunlight and store it in a room-temperature environment for optimal preservation.

Acrylic Glass: Poly(methyl methacrylate), commonly known as acrylic, acrylic glass, or plexiglass, is a transparent thermoplastic used as a lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It is also referred to by trade names such as Crylux, Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, Perclax, and Perspex.

Adhesive Transfer (ATG) Tape: ATG tape is a type of double-sided tape designed for use with tape gun dispensers, making application faster and more efficient. ATG stands for 'Adhesive Transfer Gun.' While ATG tape can be used without a gun, we recommend using one for mounting larger quantities of items.

Backing: Backing boards (also known as backing, backers, or back boards) provide a stable, acid-free surface for prints, preventing warping and adding protection to your mat board. They are also useful for various crafts, posters, and boards.

Black Core: Refers to the color of the bevel edge of a mat board.

Bottom Weight: This term describes the positioning of the cut opening on a mat board. Options include centering the opening or shifting it upwards, resulting in a larger bottom section of the mat board.

Conservation Archival: Conservation archival mats are high-quality mat boards designed to keep prints, documents, and artwork safe and undamaged. These mats are suitable for preserving valuable items and have been developed over decades to ensure long-term preservation.

Beveled Edge: The core of the mat board is typically cut at a 45-degree angle. All our mat boards feature a bevel edge, and while the default is white core, we also offer black core options.

Digital Print: Digital printing involves producing prints directly from digital-based images onto various media. This method includes fine art prints created using computer technology.

Double Mat: A double mat consists of two single mats mounted together. While our pre-made mats are mounted, custom double mats are not pre-mounted.

Foam core: Foam core backing is a type of backing board made from foam core. It provides a finished look by concealing tape and other materials and adds extra protection and sturdiness to your mat board.

Floating Artwork: This technique involves adhering artwork directly to the mat board with its edges exposed, creating the appearance of the artwork floating within the frame rather than being covered by the matboard window.

Glazing: Glazing refers to the variety of glass or acrylic products used to protect and finish framed artwork. Options include conservation, preservation glass and acrylic, anti-reflective, and non-glare glass.

Hardware: This term describes the brackets, metal, or plastic components used to assemble metal or wood frames.

Hue: The attribute of a color that determines whether it is red, green, etc., based on its dominant wavelength, independent of intensity or lightness.

Image Size: The dimensions of your artwork, print, or document.

Intensity: Also known as saturation, this refers to the brightness and purity of a color.

Intermediate Colors: Colors created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color.

Lignin: An organic material in wood that binds cellulose fibers together. Lignin in paper pulp reduces permanence and contributes to yellowing over time. Non-archival papers and boards may contain lignin, which becomes acidic as it ages. Preservation-grade boards must be both lignin- and acid-free.

Limited Edition Print: Limited edition prints are produced in a specified quantity, and once they are sold out, no additional prints will be made. Limited editions often increase in value once the entire edition is sold.

Margin or Border: The white paper area surrounding the image on a print.

Matboard: Mat boards are sturdy, high-quality boards designed to protect and display artwork, photos, or documents. They are acid-free and ideal for mounting and displaying sentimental or important items.

Mat Burn: This refers to the darkening around the window of a mat board or any area in contact with an acidic mat. Poor-quality mats made from high wood pulp content paper can be chemically unstable and acidic, leading to mat burn.

Open Edition Prints: Prints produced in an unlimited quantity, without restrictions on the number produced.

Plexiglass: (See Acrylic Glass)

Profile: The side view of your mat board or frame.

Primary Colors: The three pure colors—red, blue, and yellow—that cannot be created by mixing other colors.

Rabbet: The groove under the lip of the frame molding that accommodates the mat, glass, art, and mounting board.

Shade: The darkness of a color, such as dark blue.

Tabs: Used in picture framing to secure the backing board, mount, artwork, and glazing in place. Tabs are pushed into the side of the frame. (Tip: Use a box cutter or small tool to lift and press down the tabs.) Not all picture frames include these tabs.

Tint: The lightness of a color, such as pastels.

Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.

V-Groove: A thin line (white or black, depending on core color) carved into the top mat around the entire mat, creating the illusion of a double mat.

Swivel Tabs: Used in picture framing to secure the backing board, mount, artwork, and glazing. These tabs allow easy opening and closing of the frame by sliding them in and out. Not all picture frames include swivel tabs.

Window: Also known as the opening of the mat board.

White Core: Refers to the color of the bevel edge of a mat board.