Show Kits for Artists & Art Fairs
Everything you need to display, protect, and sell your art in one professionally assembled kit.
When you are preparing for an outdoor art festival, gallery exhibition, or retail print drop, presentation and protection are everything. Diamond Die & Bevel Cutting provides professional-grade show kits for artists that combine precision-cut matboards, rigid backing boards, and protective clear closure bags into one ready-to-sell package.
Whether you’re looking to protect your inventory from weather and handling or elevate the perceived value of your prints, our art fair display kits ensure your work looks gallery-ready the moment a buyer flips through your print bin.
Need help deciding on the right matboard core, color, or backing material for your upcoming art show? Ask our team for recommendations based on your artwork style, display setup, and budget.
What Is an Art Show Kit?
An art show kit, also called a matboard show kit or presentation kit, is a three-piece display package designed for artists who sell prints, photographs, or original works at art fairs, craft markets, galleries, and retail venues. A complete kit includes:
- A precision-cut matboard
- A rigid backing board or foamboard with options in acid-free or conservation material
- A protective clear bag that holds everything together
Show kits solve one of the most common challenges artists face at markets: how to present work professionally, protect it from handling damage, and make it easy for buyers to visualize in a frame, all without spending hours assembling each piece individually.
Why Artists Trust DDB for Art Show Mat Kits
Diamond Die & Bevel Cutting has been manufacturing custom matboards and presentation materials for over 35 years. Our show kits are built specifically for the demands of the art market to help you sell more and provide a better experience for your customers. We cut every mat in-house at our U.S. production facility in Wheeling, IL, giving artists and photographers access to wholesale pricing, consistent bevel quality, and a wide selection of colors and materials.
Unlike generic craft store kits, DDB’s show kits are designed with the artist’s workflow in mind. Our protective closure bags were made with the artist in mind, with the adhesive strip positioned on the body of the bag, not the flap. This means the sticky edge never comes into contact with your artwork when you slide it in or out, protecting your prints and artwork.
Comparing Matboard Options for Art Fairs
Choosing the right materials depends on the type of art you sell and the expectations of your buyers. The table below summarizes the most common configurations and their best-fit use cases.
| Matboard Type | Best For | Key Benefit |
| Decorative | Standard prints, fan art, high-volume retail bins | Cost-effective, clean presentation in bright whites and smooth blacks |
| Conservation/Archival | Fine art photography, original watercolors, limited editions | Acid-free and lignin-free protection that prevents yellowing over decades |
| White Core | Premium print packages, gallery-style presentation | A bright white bevel edge that adds depth and a clean gallery finish |
| Black Core | Black-and-white photography, dramatic portraits, certificates | A deep black bevel edge that adds contrast and a more formal finish |
| Textured Finishes | Luxury editions, specialty gallery presentations | Tactile richness and a distinctive surface that elevates perceived value |
| Double Mat | Premium editions, fine art, branded print lines | A layered presentation with a visible accent reveal in a second color |
Need assistance finding the right matboard? Our knowledgeable team is here to help! Contact us today to talk through your options.
How to Protect Matted Art at an Art Fair
Selling art at outdoor festivals or busy craft fairs means hundreds of potential buyers will handle your inventory throughout the day. These practical steps will protect your work and maintain a professional appearance throughout the event.
- Use a protective sleeve on every piece. Never place raw or matted prints directly into a browsing bin. A clear, resealable bag is essential to prevent smudges, corner damage, and moisture exposure.
- Invest in rigid backing. Flimsy prints bend and crease when flipped through quickly. A sturdy backing board ensures your art stays crisp and upright in the display.
- Choose bags with the adhesive on the body, not the flap. This is the single most important detail in show bag selection. Bags where the adhesive is on the flap can accidentally stick to and damage your artwork when you remove it. DDB’s bags are specifically designed to avoid this.
- Standardize your sizes. Mat your 5×7 prints to 8×10, and your 8×10 prints to 11×14. This makes it easier for buyers to find standard frames and makes your print bins look uniform and organized.
- Use conservation matting for fine art. If you are selling original works, limited edition prints, or high-value photography, conservation-grade matting signals quality and protects the work from long-term deterioration.
Need something custom? Just ask. We’ll work with you to source what you need or cut what you provide.
How to Protect Matted Art at an Art Faire
- Use a protective sleeve on every piece. Never place raw or matted prints directly into a browsing bin. A clear, resealable bag is essential to prevent smudges, corner damage, and moisture exposure.
- Invest in rigid backing. Flimsy prints bend and crease when flipped through quickly. A sturdy backing board ensures your art stays crisp and upright in the display.
- Choose bags with the adhesive on the body, not the flap. This is the single most important detail in show bag selection. Bags where the adhesive is on the flap can accidentally stick to and damage your artwork when you remove it. DDB’s bags are specifically designed to avoid this.
- Standardize your sizes. Mat your 5×7 prints to 8×10, and your 8×10 prints to 11×14. This makes it easier for buyers to find standard frames and makes your print bins look uniform and organized.
- Use conservation matting for fine art. If you are selling original works, limited edition prints, or high-value photography, conservation-grade matting signals quality and protects the work from long-term deterioration.
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Who We Serve
- Independent Artists and Illustrators preparing for outdoor art festivals, craft markets, and seasonal pop-up events rely on DDB show kits to present prints professionally without the overhead of custom framing.
- Fine Art Photographers use our conservation-grade show kits to package limited edition prints for gallery sales, collector orders, and high-end retail display.
- Print Shops and Photo Studios that produce work for artists and photographers use DDB as their wholesale matboard and show kit supplier, taking advantage of our bulk pricing and consistent in-house production.
- Gallery Curators and Exhibition Managers use our exhibit-ready kits to present unframed works in a clean, archival format for traveling exhibitions and institutional sales.
The DDB Advantage for Art Show Kits
| The Diamond Die Difference | What It Means for You |
| In-house cutting | Every mat is cut at our U.S. facility – no outsourcing, no quality variation |
| 35+ years of experience | We understand what artists, galleries, and photographers need from a presentation kit |
| Protective closure bags | Adhesive never touches your art – a design detail most suppliers overlook |
| Archival-safe materials | Acid-free mats, backers, and bags that protect your work for the long term |
| Bulk and wholesale pricing | Competitive rates for artists ordering 25 to 2,500+ kits |
| Custom sizing available | Non-standard dimensions, double mats, and custom openings are all supported |
Frequently Asked Questions About Art Show Kits
What supplies do I need to sell prints at an art fair?
To sell prints professionally at an art fair, you need a display bin or rack, clear pricing signage, and properly packaged artwork. The most effective way to package prints is with a matboard show kit, which includes a precision-cut mat, a rigid backing board, and a protective clear bag.
The mat adds visual value and helps buyers visualize the piece in a frame. The backing board keeps prints flat during browsing. The bag protects against fingerprints, moisture, and dust throughout the event.
What are the clear plastic bags for art prints called?
Should I mat my prints for an art show?
Matting your prints instantly increases their perceived value, makes them look gallery-ready, and allows you to standardize your sizing so buyers can easily find off-the-shelf frames. Most competitive art shows also require that all work be “finished” (meaning matted or framed) for hanging or display.
Additionally, matboards add an extra layer of protection to your work, acting as a buffer between your work and the frame. This ensures delicate mediums like charcoal or watercolor don’t smear or transfer to the glazing. DDB matboards are acid-free and lignin-free, neutralizing harmful products and pollutants that could erode your work over time.
Can I order custom show kits in bulk from DDB?
What is the best matboard color for art fairs?
What is the difference between conservation and decorative matboard?
Conservation matboard is acid-free, lignin-free, and designed to protect artwork from yellowing and deterioration for 100+ years. It is the appropriate choice for fine art, original works, and limited edition prints. Decorative matboard is a more economical option that provides excellent visual presentation for standard print sales but may fade or yellow over decades. For most art fair applications, decorative matboard is sufficient. For fine art and photography, conservation-grade is recommended.
What size show kit should I use for my prints?
The most common pairing is to mat a 5×7 print in an 8×10 kit, and an 8×10 print in an 11×14 kit. This provides a 1.5-inch to 2-inch border on all sides, which is the standard for professional art fair presentation. Larger works such as 11×14 prints typically go into 16×20 kits. DDB can also cut custom sizes for non-standard artwork dimensions.