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Inexpensive Mats, Precision Cut

We do not just offer "cheap mats". We offer inexpensive, yes even cheap, mats precision cut. There is a difference!  Modern mat cutting machinery moves up to 100 inches per second!  At that rate, you can produce a lot of mats in a short time.  Unfortunately, a lot of bad mats can be cut just as fast maybe even faster than a lot of good mats.  The sharpness of the blade effects the appearance of the bevel cut window. The precision at the corners can eliminate or produce overcuts. Limiting the speed of cutting increases the quality. The quality of the person cutting the mats is as important as the quality of the matboard.

So, other than cutting speed, why are Economy mats less expensive?  Because they are a bit thinner, are made of 100% recycled materials and use the least expensive dyes for the face papers; economy matboard costs less.  Realistically, this cuts material costs but it also increases the number of small black particles seen in the mat core and makes them more vulnerable to fading.

Although many call them "acid free" mats and even Standard mats, we do not.  They do have calcium carbonate, buffering, added to retard acidification as most mats do.  However, we do not call them acid free because they are not lignin free like our Tru-White™ core and our archival mats. Lignin is the property in alpha cellulose, paper, mats that produces acid.  Even though they test acid neutral at manufacture because of the buffering, the acid will come back more rapidly in economy mats. The acidity coming back is reflected in the 45 degree bevel cut of the window. The core changes color over time.  This acidification also has deteriorating effects on the image contained in the mat.

All of the above is strictly a cautionary.  Economy mats have a purpose.  If you need only temporary storage until the customer remats and reframes them, economy mats will do fine. If you are selling artwork that is at a very low price range, economy mats may be the way to go.

Click on image to select mat sizes and colors.

 

Sub Categories:

White Core (Mats Only)

Economy Mats with White Core

Regardless of the grade of mat board, white core is the best seller and this is certainly true of economy mats. Economy white core is acid neutral and is buffered with calcium carbonate, an ingredient that helps retard acidification. So why are Economy mats less expensive?  Because they are a bit thinner, are made of 100% recycled materials and use the least expensive dyes for the face papers; economy matboard costs less.  Realistically, this cuts material costs but it also increases the number of small black particles seen in the mat core and makes them more vulnerable to fading. 

Black Core (Mats Only)

Economy Mats with Black Core

Add contrast and drama to your image with economy black core mats. They are specially priced for volume users.  Black core with a white face color heightens contrast for many black and white as well as certain color images. The crisp black line around the image focuses attention.  Black core with a black face color gives you a monochromatic effect which creates a uniform environment for the artwork.  Black core mats are acid neutral mats and are bufferef with calcium caronate to help fight acidification. All mat windows are centered so they can be used with portrait (vertical images) as well as landscape (hoizontal images) artwork.  Made of recycled fiber, a bit thinner than Standard Mats and use less expensive dyes. They are well manufactured mats meant for temporary use. Mat is approximately .045 of an inch thick, 4 ply.

Cream Core (Mats Only)

Economy Mats with Cream Core

Economy mats with cream core are the least expensive.  The core or center of the mat between the face paper and the backing paper is a creamy beige.  For many years, other than archival cotton mats, they were the only mat available.  This has changed substantially as black core mats and white core mats were introduced.  White core mats are now the biggest selling mats. However, we still cut a lot of cream core mats mainly in bulk and in quantity.

 


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Adding items to your cart does not obligate you to place an order. You are not charged anything until you have completed the entire Checkout process. Please call 1-706-686-3571 (800-385-6540) if you have any questions or experience any difficulties.

Due to color variations of different monitors, colors shown are approximate only.

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