Difference Between Mat Board And Foam Board

What s the difference between mat board mount board and foam core.

Difference between mat board and foam board.

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. What is the difference between crescent s rag mat board and their regular acid free mat board. Foamboard is easily formed into shapes that can be used for interior design and architectural models. Mount board gives custom framed photos stability and is an essential part of picture framing.

Some mounting boards like the artcare alpharag cotton mounting board do not use foam in order to enhance the ability to preserve the artwork. Each of the choices may look similar but serve different purposes. 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. 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.

Art items that you might encounter are posterboard illustration board foam core and tag board. Posterboard for example is the most versatile and probably the most used. Regular mat board is made from wood pulp which is buffered ph balanced during manufacture. Regular mat board sometimes called paper board.

Backing boards come in any size. But there s more to it than that namely the mat board and mount board. You can also choose between white and cream for the inside color. It comes in lots and lots of colors.

The core and back of the board are acid free but not the surface paper. A wood pulp based acid neutralized mat board the industry standard and the most popular kind. Unlike mat board mount board is generally made of foam often polystyrene with a smooth sometimes paper based face on either side. When you walk down the art aisle at a store you may feel overwhelmed.

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. Most people are familiar with the basic components of a framing package including the frame itself and the glazing. It is commonly used for the mounting of prints and photographs and as backing in picture frames. For any original artwork we recommend a conservation quality backing to go with any conservation or museum grade mat board.