Why Berkshire Mat Board?

There are different types of picture framing.  Not all require the same type of mat board.

Traditional custom framing is performed by a skilled practitioner usually in a storefront frame shop.  Custom framing is the framing of individual works of art, one piece at a time (since each piece is unique in size and quality and demands a unique presentation, each is therefore custom). 

Traditional custom framing is performed one piece at a time, one customer at a time and is distinguished from contract framing in that contract framing calls for multiple pieces for a single client and/or location.  Sometimes these pieces are all different but sometimes (as in a hotel) they may be the same piece framed the same way for each room.  In other words, the same frame job over and over again.  When one is taking on a contract for a hotel chain the number of duplicated frame jobs can be enormous.  At this level, one has crossed into a third type of framing called OEM framing.

OEM framing (or original equipment manufacturer framing) refers to contractual framing for very large volumes of duplicate framed pieces.  When you go to Target and find a framed and matted piece of art for under $75 you will find the same piece repeatedly in the rack.  Now imagine that quantity multiplied by the number of Target stores in the world and you begin to get the scope of OEM framing.  The objective of OEM framing is decent quality framed art in enormous quantities at a reasonable price.  The objective, on the other hand, of traditional custom framing is top quality framed art one piece at a time.  The difference between the two is the difference between fast food and fine dining.  Both have their place.  Both have their own type of mat board.

Berkshire mat board was developed by Crescent mat board to serve the OEM market, providing a low cost alternative with a similar look and longevity as their regular mat board but at a lower price.  Berkshire is slightly thinner than regular mat board which accounts for its lower cost.  Yet it has been put through a bath of calcium carbonate to neutralize the harmful effects of acid contamination just as Crescent’s regular line has, making it safe for open-ended prints, posters, digital photography and sentimental keepsakes with little long-term value.  What’s more, certain “white core” Berkshires have a bleached white core which resists the yellowing associated with cream core mat board and looks similar to much pricier Rag mat board. 

Traditional custom framers will of course opt for the real thing, ie., Rag mat board on the assumption that all the artwork they handle is high end and intrinsically valuable.  Berkshire is probably not appropriate for traditional custom framing.  However, that doesn’t mean it’s not appropriate for any custom framing. 

A growing number of home-based framers are targeting the market for low-priced custom framing.  The customers for this type of framing typically have lower priced artwork they want framed, such as open-ended prints, posters, digital photography and sentimental keepsakes.  Precisely the kinds of things Berkshire is designed for.  What’s more, they are looking to frame it more cheaply. 

Home-based framers can respond to this market by cutting their own costs for materials. Berkshire mat board can be a key ingredient in that effort.  Thus, Berkshire is highly recommended for home-based framers striving to deliver low priced framing for less intrinsically valuable artwork.

See our full line of Berkshire Mat Board.