Holiday buyers shop with their hearts. Led by emotion, presentation can play a major role in how they choose what to take home. Clean, professional matting gives your artwork structure, reinforced with protection and a polished look, helping customers imagine the piece already hanging on their wall or being gifted.

Three reasons matboards make a difference at holiday shows:

• They increase perceived value — a matted piece often sells for more than an unmatted equivalent.
• They reduce handling damage, especially in crowded booths and high-traffic markets.
• They make gift-giving easier, offering customers a ready-to-frame artwork experience.

For both new artists and seasoned exhibitors, investing in the right matboards for framing can maximize your holiday sales potential.

1. Mats for Artwork (Your #1 Show Essential)

The cornerstone of your show setup, mats for artwork provide a clean border that draws attention to your piece. They help stabilize prints, protect edges, and create a professional presentation that customers trust.

When selecting mats, consider:

• Color (white and black remain top sellers)
• Core type (black core adds drama; white core keeps it classic)
• Thickness (standard vs. premium)
• Opening size (custom window openings give your work the perfect reveal)

2. Art Frame Mats (Pre-Cut for Speed & Consistency)

If you’re selling high volumes of small-format artwork (5×7, 8×10, 11×14), art frame mats are your best friend. Pre-cut mats let you prep inventory quickly and maintain consistent sizing across your booth.

Benefits include:

• Faster production before the show
• Cleaner edge finishing
• Uniform presentation that improves booth cohesion

3. Precision Bevel Cutting (For a Professional Finish)

Bevel cutting creates a polished, gallery-ready look that sets your work apart from DIY or hobby-grade mats.

Professionally cut bevels help:

• Elevate the perceived craftsmanship of your display
• Prevent fraying or uneven edges
• Improve customer trust and sales conversion

4. Backing Boards & Protective Packaging

Your artwork needs structural support, especially during loading, unloading, and customer handling. Pair every mat with:

• Custom matboards or foam core boards (available in 1/8″ or 3/16″)
• Clear protective bags
• Labeling or branding inserts

These elements not only protect your work but help create a professional, premium unboxing experience.

5. Show Kits & Show Bags (A Holiday Essential!)

Holiday events are hectic, and buyers naturally gravitate toward items that are easy to gift or frame.

Show Kits give you a ready-to-sell setup that includes:

• A matboard
• A backing board
• A protective gallery bag

Show Bags offer pre-packaged solutions designed for retail displays and artist booths. These are perfect for holiday markets where customers want “grab-and-go” art.

To maximize your holiday sales, match your most common print sizes with the most common retail frame sizes:

• 5×7 print → 8×10 mat
• 8×10 print → 11×14 mat
• 11×14 print → 16×20 mat

Pre-cut standard sizes make it easier for customers to gift or frame your artwork immediately.

If your project requires a unique mat size, we can custom-cut mats to your exact specifications — ensuring every print fits perfectly.

Holiday show season moves fast, and with high-quality matting materials, your inventory will too. Ordering your matting supplies early ensures you have the mats, backing, and display essentials needed to keep your booth stocked and sales-ready.

DDB offers:

• Fast turnarounds
• Archival-quality materials
• Custom sizes
• Bulk pricing
• Precision bevel cutting

If you’d like help choosing the right mats for artwork or prepping for holiday shows, our team is ready to guide you.

Request your free quote today and get $50 off your first order.
Your best-selling holiday season starts with better matting!

Get Our Full Crescent®Select Color Catalog

Get instant access to our downloadable color catalog — learn about our materials, finishes, and what sets DDB Cutting apart. Just enter your info below to receive your free copy.