FAQs

General Questions
Will you ever give out my contact information?
You use some industry lingo on your site that I don't understand...please help!
Do you have a printed catalog?
Do you have a price list?

Ordering & Shipping
What is your return policy?
Do you have a minimum ordering level and if so what is it?
What is your turnaround time?
Is faster shipping available?
How can I track my order?
How much will shipping cost?
How long will shipping take?
Do you ship to Canada?
Do you ship to Hawaii and Alaska?
Do you ship to the US Virgin Islands?

Matting & Framing
What materials do I need for conservation framing?
Why should I buy matboard?
Is there a list of the colors currently available?
What type of cuts can I get on a mat?
Is it necessary to join the mat to the backing?
How do I mount my image when using mats?
How do I know the proper terminology for asking about different cuts?
Where can I find technical information on the different types of mats?
I use digital photography and can size my print to any size. Can I get a mat opening to match?
I want an 8 x 10 mat for my 5 x 7 photo. What size should the opening be?
Is your double matting flush?

Other Questions
Do you sell full sheets (32 x 40") mats?
Can you ship glass?

General Questions

Will you ever give out my contact Information?
No. We pledge and guarantee to never distribute your name, e-mail address or other information to any outside person or company in any form. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

You use some industry lingo on your site that I don't understand...please help!
Visit our "Glossary of Terms" section on our Terminology Page for word and phrase definitions.

Do you have a printed catalog?
No - we no longer offer a printed catalog as our website contains the latest updated information.

Do you have a price list?
Our website shows all pricing including volume pricing. For custom sizes we do not charge any extra costs so if you have a size that is between one of the standard sizes listed you know your pricing will fall in that range as well.

Ordering & Shipping

What is your return policy?
Our return policy is found here.
Do you have a minimum ordering level and if so what is it?
You may order as little as 1 item, however orders below certain minimums (ie: 6 for mats) will be charged at Retail Pricing which will be quoted on the product page. You will see that by reaching the volume threshold required which is often only 6 pieces you will be accessing Wholesale Pricing.
We do have a minimum value for orders if you do not wish to be charged a service fee for small orders. That minimum is $100.00. Orders below our minimum may also not qualify for check-out level discounts or promotions.
Orders over $500 qualify for FREE SHIPPING in most areas.
What is your turnaround time?
We require 4 Business Days for stock mat items (for orders placed before 12:00pm pacific time) and 5 Business Days for stock mat items (placed after 12:00pm pacific time) . Seven business days or more for non-stock items, depending on availability.
Is faster shipping available?
Yes, we offer faster options with both Canada Post and UPS. Please Note: our in house turnaround time is still 4-5 business days.
How can I track my order?
A tracking number will be provided when your order ships. You will be able to track it directly with Canada Post or UPS.
How much will shipping cost?
Shipping is FREE for orders of $500.00 or more to most areas in Canada and subsidized by 50% for extended areas.
How long will shipping take?
Shipping can take as little as 1 business day or as much as 10 business days depending on your distance from our Warehouse in Victoria, British Columbia. The average from Victoria to Ontario for example is 5-6 business days.

Matting & Framing

What materials do I need for conservation matboard?
For a complete archival framing package, all materials that come in contact with your artwork must be of conservation quality. This minimizes the effect of adverse atmospheric conditions, and generally provides a lifetime of protection for artwork.
MatShop sells the following conservation materials:
Matboard:
Glazing:
Backings:
- Acid-free Foamcore
- Acid-free Flawboard
Other Supplies

Why should I buy matboard?
Artwork, photos, needlework, crafts, etc. will deteriorate if adjacent to glass in a frame. A mat creates airspace, and can further protect the image depending on the quality of the matting. Matshop sells both archival and regular acid-free mat board to help protect your valuable artwork and photography.

Is there a list of the colors currently available?
Yes - you can order almost any mat board colour that is listed by the manufacturers (Crescent and Nielsen & Bainbridge) -- or -- you can order from our Stock Mat Board Colors page. The only difference is that we can guarantee a faster turnaround on the mat board we keep in stock. All other mat board must be brought in-house first.
What type of cuts can I get on a mat?
We supply all the common types of cuts plus many graphic openings. You will find the available types of Mat cuts explained on our Terminology Page.
Is it necessary to join the mat to the backing?
If you are using poly bags, no. If you do join the mat and backing, put the them face down on a table and join the long edges with tape, (Use Scotch magic tape or an equivalent for regular/non-conservation mats and an acid-free tape for conservation (rag) mat). The mat and backing will now be "hinged" together.
How do I mount my image when using mats?
Tape the image to the back of the mat on one long side only, allowing the rest of the image to float free. Make sure you use an acid-free tape for conservation (rag) mat. Photo corners are very good, but are cumbersome.
How do I know the proper terminology for asking about different cuts?
We try to use industry standard terms. You will find this on our Terminology Page.
Where can I find technical information on the different types of mats?
For direct manufacturer information, go to the Crescent Cardboard website. Click on Products, then Crescent Product Information Guide. You will find a list of all Crescents mat boards, with links to the mats they currently distribute.
See our chart of stock matboard and stock colors HERE .
I use digital photography and can size my print to any size. Can I get a mat opening to match?
Absolutely. Choose the exact opening size you want and we will gladly make the opening to your exact specifications at no extra charge.
I want an 8 x 10 mat for my 5 x 7 photo. What size should the opening be?
The opening must be less than the photo in order to mount the photo to the back of the mat. We would suggest an opening size of 4 1/2 x 6 1/2". This would allow you 1/4" on all sides to mount your photo.
Is your double matting flush?
Yes for most mats in our Presentation Packages and regular mat orders.We do use a smaller mat for the bottom layer of a double mat in our rainbow packages. For example, an 8 x 10 outer mat will normally have a 7 x 9 inner mat. This does not affect the size of the opening in either mat.