Picture frame mats are a wonderful way to make your framed photos look amazing. If you've never used mats before and want a way to make your pictures look even better, then you should start using picture frame mats. Picture frame mats add depth to your photo and can help accent specific colors to really showcase your artwork beautifully.

Mats are super versatile and make a noticeable difference in your finished framing project.

What will a picture frame mat do for your photo? Here are three simple ways matting can make a difference with your photo:

• Mats can help in framing pictures or artwork in odd sizes

• Mats offer unique and different ways to show off your creativity

• Mats can help your photograph stand out

If you want to avoid the expense of a custom frame but have a picture or piece of artwork in a non-standard size, picture frame mats can solve your problem. A picture frame mat basically inserts into the frame, between the picture and the glass, and surrounds the picture like an inner frame giving it a beautiful finished look. The benefit of mats is that they can be cut to fit the size of any picture or piece of artwork. Picture frame mats can display a non-standard photo or piece of artwork and make it fit nicely in any ready made standard sized frame without the big expense of a custom made frame. Mats can be cut to fit any size frame or picture no matter if it's a ready made frame or a custom frame, they're a perfect way to enhance your photos or artwork.

Mats are also popular for displaying more photos in a smaller space like collage frames or other multiple opening frames like double or triple picture frames.

Personalizing your picture frames is another great benefit of mats. Mats are great for personalizing your picture frame with special messages, whimsical notes, drawings or even signatures. Mats can be used for personalizing frames that display important events like weddings, anniversary parties, graduations or even special vacations.

Using picture frame mats can also help you better express your creativity. Mats are available in many colors and can be artistically cut to best show off your picture. A mat will help set off frames in just about any color from white picture frames to black, blue or even red picture frames.

Besides adding to the eye appeal and personalization of your picture frame, mats can also help protect your artwork. Mats will protect your photos from touching the glass of the picture frame. This is very important because moisture exposure over time can cause your photo to stick to the glass and damage your photo. If you really want to protect your photos or artwork long term, you should consider using conservation techniques and archival products for all your framing. These types of archival products do not contain chemicals that would otherwise degrade your pictures over time.

With so many benefits, the only downside of picture frame mats is that it costs a little extra time and money to buy the mat. But even that is small as there are machine precut mats for common picture frame sizes that make mats very affordable and easy to find. A non-standard mat for a unique size, on the other hand, has to be cut by hand and costs more but is almost always well worth it.

One thing to be aware of when using multiple picture mats is to avoid non-glare glass (also known as anti-reflective (AR) glass). If you use two or more mats with non-glare glass your photo may very well appear fuzzy or out of focus. The thickness of the multiple mats creates a larger distance between the photo and the non-glare glass making the photo look diffused.

So just remember these two tips- never use non-glare glass when using multiple mats and buy pre-cut mats if you want to save a little money.

Once you try your first mat, you'll be amazed at how much better your favorite photo looks displayed in a mat. No wonder picture frame mats are so popular by professional photographers -they really add a finished look to any picture. Hopefully this article has helped you see the benefit of mats and will help to encourage you to try one with your next picture frame.