A picture mount is the border, usually cut from card or cotton mountboard, that sits between your artwork and the frame. It does two jobs: it protects the artwork by holding it away from the glazing, and it changes how the piece looks by adding space, balance and tone around it. In the US a mount is often called a mat, but it is the same thing. (The board it is cut from is mountboard; the cut window is the mount.)
Mounts can seem complicated at first, with choices of colour, width, single or double layers and gallery-style proportions. In practice, a few reliable defaults work beautifully. A neutral off-white mount around 50mm wide suits most prints and photographs, and you can adjust from there.
What does a picture mount do?
A mount protects the artwork by stopping it touching the glazing. That matters because humidity and condensation build up over time. Paper or photographs pressed against glass or acrylic will attract moisture, which can mark the piece or even allow mould to develop. The small gap a mount creates keeps the artwork safe for the long term.
It also does the presentation work: giving the artwork room to breathe, drawing the eye towards it, and changing the proportions of the finished piece. A wider mount creates a more gallery-style result, and a generous border can give a small piece real presence on the wall. It is why mounts are used so widely in galleries and exhibitions.
When should you not use a mount?
A mount is not always right. For a clean, modern, edge-to-edge look, leaving it off gives a more contemporary result. Some posters and graphic prints are stronger without one, particularly where bold colour runs to the edges or typography is part of the design. If the piece is easily replaced, the small risk of skipping the mount is fine. Canvases and deep artworks usually do not need a mount either, because there is no glazing, or the surface already sits away from it.
What colour mount should you choose?
Neutral mounts are the safest choice. Off-white, white and cream complement the artwork rather than competing with it, feel balanced and understated, and suit a wide range of interiors and frame styles, which is why they are the most common choice in galleries.
If you want more drama, darker mounts add contrast and work well with black-and-white photography, darker artwork and contemporary interiors, though they can feel heavy if overused. Coloured mounts can pick out a tone from the artwork for a coordinated finish, where restraint usually wins and softer colours work best. If in doubt, choose a neutral off-white. Our preview tool lets you try different colours and see how each looks before you commit.
What size mount should you choose?
Narrow mounts give a cleaner, more modern look with less visual weight, and suit contemporary interiors and smaller spaces. Wider mounts give more breathing room, stronger proportions and a more gallery-style presentation, and can make a small piece feel considerably more substantial.
For most prints and photographs, 40 to 50mm is a safe starting point, and it is our default for any artwork above extra small. Mounts can also be cut asymmetrically: a bottom-weighted mount has a slightly deeper lower border for a traditional gallery feel, and an offset mount deliberately shifts the artwork’s position. Both can improve visual balance and make a smaller piece feel more considered.
Single vs double mounts
A double mount layers one mount over another, revealing a thin accent border underneath. It adds depth, a subtle colour contrast and a more premium or traditional finish. Double mounts suit traditional artwork, premium presentation, and picking up a colour in the piece. They are usually less suited to very modern or minimal framing, where a single neutral mount feels cleaner.
Conservation and mount quality
Cheaper mountboard can yellow or discolour over time, and the acid in low-quality board can damage artwork. Conservation-grade mounts are designed to minimise acid transfer, reduce yellowing and improve long-term preservation, which matters most for photographs, original artwork and sentimental pieces. Better board also holds its colour, feels more substantial and ages more gracefully. All our mounts are treated to minimise discolouration over time.
How a mount affects the final frame size
A mount makes the finished piece larger than the artwork itself. The artwork dimensions are the internal size; once the mount and frame are added, the external dimensions grow. That is often the point, since it lets a small piece make more impact on the wall. Worth knowing: the mount overlaps the edges of the artwork by around 5mm to hold it securely, so keep that in mind if detail runs right to the edge.
Our mount options
We offer four mount types. Standard mounts are coloured, with a white core, 1.5mm thick. Luxury mounts are a deeper, more substantial 2mm with a softer, premium feel, in a more limited colour range. Black core mounts have a black internal edge for a sharper, contemporary look. Metallic mounts add subtle highlights and a more decorative finish. The preview tool lets you experiment with colours, widths and styles before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a mount and a mat?
None: “mount” is the UK term and “mat” (or matboard) is the US term for the same thing. In the UK, the board is mountboard and the cut window is the mount.
What is the standard mount size for a picture?
For most prints and photographs, 40 to 50mm is the usual border, and 50mm is a reliable default. Larger pieces can carry a wider mount.
Do I need a mount on a canvas? Usually not. A stretched canvas has no glazing and the surface sits away from the frame, so a mount is rarely used.
What is a double mount?
Two layered mounts that reveal a thin accent border of the lower colour, adding depth and a more premium finish.
