Walk into any framing shop with a print and you’ll walk out $150 lighter. The secret? Half that cost is a piece of cardboard with a hole in it. Photo mat supplies are the most marked-up, least understood part of the framing game. The shops know it. The suppliers know it. And they’re counting on you not knowing it. Here’s how it actually works, and how to stop paying retail.
What Exactly Is a Photo Mat?
A mat is the stiff board that sits between your photo and the glass. It’s not just decoration. It keeps the photo from touching the glass (which can cause condensation and sticking), gives the eye some breathing room, and makes a $20 print look like a $200 piece.
The mat has three key parts:
- The window – the hole you see the photo through.
- The bevel – the angled cut edge that shows the core color. This is the signature look of a mat.
- The border – the flat area around the window. This is where you notice the surface color and texture.
That’s it. It’s a piece of thick paper. And the markup on it is insane.
Sizes: The Numbers They Don’t Advertise
You can buy pre-cut mats in standard sizes, but the moment you want something custom, the price triples. Here’s the cheat sheet.
Standard photo sizes: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, 18×24, 24×36. These are the sizes of your actual photo or print.
Standard mat outer sizes: These match standard frame sizes: 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, 18×24, 24×36. The mat outer size must fit inside the frame.
Window size: The window is always smaller than the photo. You want the mat to overlap the photo by 1/8 to 1/4 inch on each side. So for an 8×10 photo, your window should be roughly 7.75 x 9.75 inches (or 7.5 x 9.5 if you want a bigger overlap). This overlap holds the photo in place and hides any rough edges.
Border width: This is the distance from the window edge to the outer edge of the mat. Common widths are 2, 2.5, 3, and 4 inches. The math is simple: outer size = window size + (2 × border width).
Example: 8×10 photo, 3-inch border. Window = 7.5 x 9.5. Outer = 7.5 + 6 = 13.5, and 9.5 + 6 = 15.5. That’s a 13.5 x 15.5 mat. Not a standard frame size. So you either cut your own frame or adjust the border to hit a standard size. This is why pre-cut mats exist for common combos — they do the math for you.
Full sheet sizes: The industry standard is 32 x 40 inches. You can also find 40 x 60. One 32×40 sheet will give you multiple mats, depending on how you cut. That’s where bulk ordering comes in.
Colors: More Than Just White
Walk into a craft store and you’ll see a wall of white and black mats. That’s the retail scam. The real world of mat supplies is a rainbow of surface papers and core colors.
Core colors: When you cut a bevel, you expose the core. White core is classic and works with almost everything. Black core gives a sharp, modern edge. Cream core is softer and warmer. The core color can contrast or blend with the surface.
Surface papers: This is the top layer. You can get smooth, textured, linen, metallic, suede, and more. Textured mats add depth. Metallic mats can make a photo pop. But they cost more.
Acid-free vs. acidic: This is the big one. Acidic mats (the cheap ones) will yellow and burn your photo over time. If you’re framing a family photo or a valuable print, you need acid-free. Acid-free mats are buffered and made from cotton rag or purified wood pulp (alpha cellulose). They cost more, but they won’t destroy your art. If you’re framing a poster you don’t care about, cheap is fine. But for anything you want to last, go acid-free.
Color matching: You don’t need to match the photo exactly. You want the mat to complement it. A neutral mat (white, cream, light gray) lets the photo speak. A colored mat can pick up an accent color in the image. The safest bet is a white or off-white acid-free mat with a white core. It’s timeless and works with everything.
Bulk Ordering: How to Stop Paying Retail
Pre-cut mats at retail are $5 to $15 each. A full 32×40 sheet of acid-free matboard costs $5 to $15 depending on quality. Do the math. One sheet can yield 8 to 10 mats. That’s a 10x markup you’re paying for someone else to make two cuts.
Here’s how to buy in bulk without getting screwed:
- Buy full sheets. Online wholesalers, local art supply distributors, and even some craft stores sell full sheets. You’ll need a mat cutter, but that’s a one-time cost.
- Order in quantity. Many suppliers have price breaks at 10, 25, or 50 sheets. Split an order with a friend if you don’t need that many.
- Ask for offcuts. Framing shops and suppliers often have bins of remnant pieces. They’ll sell them cheap or give them away. Great for small projects.
- Check shipping. Full sheets are huge and heavy. Shipping can kill the deal. Look for suppliers with free shipping over a certain amount, or find a local source you can pick up from.
- Get samples first. Many suppliers sell sample packs for a few bucks. See the colors in person before you commit to 50 sheets of a color you hate.
The Cutting Secrets They Don’t Tell You
You don’t need a $1000 framing setup. A basic mat cutter with a bevel blade costs $100 to $300 new, and half that used. That’s it. After that, you’re printing money.
Here’s what matters:
- Blades. Use a fresh blade for every few mats. Dull blades tear the surface.
- Measure twice, cut once. Obvious, but people still screw it up.
- Bevel direction. The bevel should angle away from the window, so the photo sits behind it. If you cut the wrong way, the bevel will face the wrong direction.
- Overlap. 1/8 to 1/4 inch is the sweet spot. Too little and the photo might slip. Too much and you hide too much of the image.
- Attaching the photo. Use acid-free linen tape or ATG tape. Never use regular tape or glue. You want the photo to be held in place but not permanently attached.
If you don’t want to cut your own, you can order custom-cut mats in bulk from online suppliers. They’ll cut to your exact specs, and if you order 10 or more, the per-mat price drops way below retail. But the real savings is DIY.
How to Order in Bulk Without Getting Burned
Before you drop a few hundred bucks on matboard, check these boxes:
- Acid-free? If it doesn’t say acid-free, assume it’s not. For anything important, demand acid-free.
- Core color? White, black, cream? Make sure it’s what you want. Some cheap mats have a cream core that looks dirty next to a white surface.
- Thickness. 4-ply is standard for most photos. 8-ply is thicker and more rigid, good for large pieces or a premium look.
- Surface paper. Smooth, textured, linen? Get samples if you’re not sure.
- Supplier reputation. Read reviews. A cheap price means nothing if the board arrives warped or damaged.
The Bottom Line
The framing industry relies on you not knowing that mat supplies are cheap and cutting is easy. They want you to pay $50 for a $3 piece of cardboard. But once you buy in bulk, you’ll never go back. Order full sheets, get a decent mat cutter, and do it yourself. Or at least order your mats in bulk from a supplier and cut them at home. Your wallet will thank you, and your photos will look just as good — if not better.