Single vs Double Mat: Which Should You Choose?

What is a mat board?

A mat board (or mount board) is the paper-covered board that surrounds the artwork inside the frame. It creates a visible border between the artwork and the frame, gives the eye a place to rest, and — importantly — keeps the artwork from touching the glass.

Mat boards come in hundreds of colors, textures, and thicknesses. The standard thickness is 4-ply (about 1.4mm), with 8-ply used when more depth is desired.

Single mat

A single mat is one layer of mat board with a window cut to reveal the artwork. It's clean, simple, and works well for the majority of framings.

• Best for photography, graphic prints, and modern artwork where simplicity is the point.
• Works well with thin, minimal frames.
• Less expensive than double matting.
• Better choice when you want the artwork — not the framing — to be the focus.

Double mat

A double mat stacks two layers: a wider outer mat and a narrower inner mat, with the inner mat creating a thin visible "reveal" — typically 3–8mm — around the artwork window. This reveal adds visual depth and a subtle shadow line.

• Adds elegance and a sense of depth — the framing feels more finished.
• Common for watercolors, oil paintings, fine art prints, and certificates.
• Works especially well with ornate or traditional frames.
• The inner mat can introduce a color that ties the artwork to the frame.

Choosing the accent mat color

The inner (accent) mat is the one that gets noticed. The standard approach is to keep the outer mat neutral and use the inner mat to introduce color — either a tone picked from the artwork, or a color that complements the frame.

The inner mat should almost always be darker than the outer mat. A darker inner mat creates a shadow that makes the artwork appear to recede slightly, adding perceived depth. A lighter inner mat flattens the effect and is rarely used.

The reveal width matters: a 3mm reveal is very subtle and refined. A 6–8mm reveal is more visible and graphic. A reveal wider than 10mm starts to compete with the outer mat for attention.

Triple mats

Triple mats (three layers) are uncommon outside of very formal or ceremonial presentations — diplomas, awards, significant historical documents. For most artwork, three layers is too much and draws attention to the framing rather than the piece.

A simple rule of thumb

Single mat: modern, minimal, photographic, or graphic work. Double mat: painterly, traditional, or fine art work where you want the framing to have presence. When in doubt, try both — seeing the two options side by side makes the decision obvious.