7 Professional Matte Boards For Color Mounting Projects

Displaying a child’s artwork transforms a refrigerator-door doodle into a celebrated achievement, shifting the focus from simple craft to artistic accomplishment. Choosing the right mounting materials provides a professional finish that reinforces a young artist’s sense of pride and dedication. The following guide explores seven industry-standard matte boards, helping parents select the perfect balance of quality, longevity, and value for their child’s creative progression.

Crescent Select Alphamat: Best for Project Longevity

When a student spends weeks on a charcoal portrait or a detailed watercolor, the mounting process should reflect that labor. Crescent Select Alphamat is a 100% virgin alpha-cellulose board, engineered to remain stable and resist fading over many years.

This is an excellent choice for children ages 11–14 who are beginning to take their portfolios seriously. Because it protects the work from environmental pollutants, it is a sound investment for pieces intended to be kept as keepsakes well into adulthood.

Bainbridge Artcare: Premium Archival Color Support

For parents whose children are entering regional art competitions, preserving the integrity of the original media is paramount. Bainbridge Artcare boards utilize patented technology that traps and neutralizes harmful gases, offering a superior level of archival protection.

These boards are thicker and denser than entry-level options, providing a sturdy, luxury feel that impresses show judges. While more expensive, they are the gold standard for high-stakes projects where every detail of the presentation impacts the final evaluation.

Strathmore 300 Series: Ideal for Student Portfolios

Young artists often go through a high-volume phase where they produce dozens of pieces in a single semester. Strathmore 300 Series boards offer a reliable, cost-effective surface that serves as a perfect entry point for students learning to mount their own work.

These boards are forgiving and easy to cut, making them ideal for beginners ages 8–10. They provide enough structure to keep artwork from curling, ensuring that a portfolio looks organized and professional without the heavy price tag of gallery-grade materials.

Canson Mi-Teintes Board: Best for Vibrant Artworks

Sometimes the artwork itself relies on texture and depth, such as oil pastel or heavy-bodied paint projects. The Canson Mi-Teintes board features a distinctive honeycomb texture that complements artistic styles requiring a bit of extra character.

This board is particularly effective for middle-schoolers exploring mixed media. By selecting a mounting board that interacts visually with the art, the student learns how presentation choices can actively enhance the impact of a visual message.

Peterboro Conservation: Quality Value for Art Shows

Finding a middle ground between “disposable” school supplies and “museum” grade materials is a common challenge for parents of active art students. Peterboro Conservation boards offer a solid, acid-free construction at a price point that makes mounting an entire gallery exhibit feasible.

These boards represent the best value for families participating in school-wide art fairs. They offer enough durability to withstand transport and handling, ensuring the work arrives in pristine condition without requiring an over-the-top financial commitment.

Rising Museum Board: Professional Gallery Standards

As a child reaches the competitive high school level, they may begin preparing for college admissions or serious art exhibitions. Rising Museum Board is 100% cotton, which is the standard material used in professional galleries and high-end framing studios.

This represents the ultimate level of commitment to an art program. Using this board signals to the student that their craft is treated with the same respect as a professional, fostering a mindset of excellence and artistic discipline.

Moorman Suede Mat Board: Unique Texture for Artworks

Occasionally, an artwork requires a tactile element to make it truly stand out in a crowd. Moorman Suede boards add a soft, luxurious finish that draws the eye and creates a sophisticated frame for photography or intricate pen-and-ink drawings.

This choice is best suited for older students, ages 13–14, who are refining their personal aesthetic. It is a specialized product that highlights the student’s ability to match the mounting texture to the emotional tone of the artwork.

Choosing Board Colors That Make Youth Art Stand Out

The color of the mat board should always take a backseat to the art itself. A neutral color, such as cream, soft white, or warm gray, almost always ensures the viewer’s eye remains focused on the child’s work rather than the frame.

• Soft White: Best for high-contrast pieces like charcoal or black-and-white photography.
• Neutral Grey: Excellent for toning down vibrant or chaotic color palettes in younger children’s finger paintings.
• Warm Cream: Perfect for vintage-style sketches or watercolor landscapes.

Avoid overly bright or neon matting, as these tend to compete with the focal point of the art. When in doubt, a subtle, off-white board is the safest way to ensure the artwork remains the star of the show.

Acid-Free vs Standard: Why Archival Quality Matters

Children’s art supplies are often acidic, which means they contain chemicals that yellow and degrade paper over time. Using an acid-free, or “buffered,” mat board acts as a protective buffer, slowing down this natural aging process.

Even if a child is only 7 years old, choosing acid-free materials ensures that the drawings they treasure today will not be brittle or discolored a decade from now. It is a small logistical detail that adds massive sentimental value to the physical archive of a child’s development.

Essential Safety Tips for Teaching Kids Mat Cutting

Teaching a child to cut their own mats is a fantastic way to develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness. However, it requires strict adherence to safety protocols, especially when using heavy-duty mat cutters or utility blades.

• Always supervise: A parent should be present at the table whenever blades are out.
• Use non-slip rulers: Ensure the cutting guide is steady to prevent the blade from slipping off the line.
• Maintain blade sharpness: A dull blade requires more force, which increases the likelihood of accidents.

Encourage the child to focus on slow, deliberate motions rather than speed. Treating the equipment with respect teaches the child that professional art tools carry both power and responsibility, a lesson that translates well into all other technical pursuits.

Providing the right foundation for your child’s artistic endeavors is less about buying the most expensive materials and more about understanding the intended use and long-term value of the supplies. By selecting boards that match the developmental stage of the artist, you encourage a deep appreciation for the creative process while maintaining a realistic and sustainable approach to extracurricular involvement.