combining rag and buffered paper mats

[Randall C Colvin]

I have a 24x36 watercolor to frame with triple mats. The customer would like to use rag next to the painting and buffered paper for the top two mats to reduce cost. I know using the paper mats introduces an acidic element to the package but would the rag mat afford an adequate separation between the paper mat and watercolor?

 

[FramerDave]

I certainly don't advocate it, but yes, it would provide some protection for a while.

What would probably be most bothersome in the short term would be two lovely nicotine-stained bevels contrasted against a pristine white bevel. If you go ahead with this design, I think the customer would notice this and forget the cost savings.

 

[preservator]

Mat board which is made of pulp that contains lignin and has been buffered with calcium carbonate, can be expected to emit peroxides, regardless of its buffering. That means that its bevels should be stepped back from the surface of the work by a quarter of an inch, with a lignin-free mat next to the work.


Hugh

 

[Finest Fabric]

Why not use alpha-cellulose mats like Crescent Select, Peterboro for the top two? Doesn't cost much more than paper mats and acid free - and white bevels

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Or all three. Should work out about the same as the Rag bottom with 2 standard papers above that. Equal protection as the Rag as well.

 

[JFeig]

I agree with all the comments that alpha and or 100% cotton should be used on all mats.

Ask the customer if the $30 savings 30 years in the future was a bargain or a bad decision.... after all the bad chemicals leach past that 4 ply bottom mat to the art.?

 

[Shayla]

If you do use a combination of such mats, cut them
on a reverse bevel and that will take care of the
color differences on the edges. I use mostly conservation
mats, but do wind up with this sort of combination a
few times a year.

 

[Framar]

I dealt with a job like this just this week - customer brought in perfectly good frame with partially perfect matting and totally faded out print to replace the print with a new one. I pointed out how brown the bevel was on the upper paper mat whilst the inner rag mat was pristine - she did not want to pay for a new mat and I couldn't stand putting the ugly brown bevel back into the frame so I whitened it with a Prismacolor! Worked great for a cheesy print!!!

I would recommend upper mats be alpha cellulose instead of paper - not that much more in terms of price and a world of difference in quality!