The Frame and Mat Shop has the largest selection of frame moulding in West Michigan. Frame moulding is the material used to cut and join to make a picture frame. Frames are made from different materials. The Frame and Mat Shop carries only the finest wood frames in a variety of stains and finishes. In addition to wood moulding the Frame and Mat Shop carries a large selection of metal frame mouldings.

The Frame and Mat Shop carries both Foamcore and Gatorboard. Both foamcore and gatorboard are materials used for mounting a poster, print, or photo. This ensures that a print will not ripple or bow during changing climates. Foamcore and gatorboard are used to compress the contents in a frame towards the glass. This guarantees that nothing falls out of the frame.

Foamboard comes both acid-free and non acid-free. Gatorboard comes non acid-free only. Gatorboard is much more dense than foamboard and is ideal for mounting art that will be displayed in an uncontrolled climate. It is ideal for mounting art that will be displayed without a frame. During climate changes foamboard has a tendency to bow when not in a frame.

The Frame and Mat Shop carries both Glass and Plexi Glass. Glass or Plexi Glass is used to cover and protect your art from the environment. With all custom framing orders we recommend using glass or plexi glass.

Clear glass is wonderful. It does not distort color or details and is the most economical. However, it is not useful in front of a direct light source.

Non-glare glass is a great option for art that will be displayed in front of a direct light source. Non-glare glass should not be used with art that has four or more mats. The farther away the glass is pulled from the art, the more the colors and details in the art will be distorted.

Conservation glass is ideal to use whenever there is a concern about ultraviolet (UV) light damage to the artwork. The energy of UV light is high enough to sever the organic bonds of paper-borne art. In addition, ultraviolet light contributes to severe color loss, paper embrittlement and deterioration of artwork. These effects are both accumulative and irreversible. Unfortunately, the sun is not the only source of harmful ultraviolet light rays. All light sources, whether natural or artificial, have some of the components in the UV range.

Plexi glass is a great alternative to using glass. It is half the weight of glass and more shatter resistant. It is ideal for a child's room, high traffic areas, or oversized art.

Mounting is a process used to attach your art to either foamcore or gatorboard. This ensures that a print or photo will not ripple or bow during changing climates.

Dry mounting is a dry heat process that vacuum locks a print to foamboard permanently.

Spray mounting is a wet process that involves spraying an adhesive on the back of a print and slowly attaching it to foamboard.

Photo mounting is a dry process that involves using a sheet of adhesive on the back of a photo and attaching it to foamcore.

Hinging or museum mounting is a non-permanent process of attaching a print or photo to matting. This process allows art to hang freely hang in a frame.