Crescent Brands matboards are manufactured under controlled conditions and inspected to maintain consistent quality. The following specifications outline acceptable tolerances for surface condition, dimensional accuracy, flatness, thickness, and recommended storage practices.
Surface Quality
Matboard surfaces should appear clean and free from visible defects when inspected under normal framing conditions.
- Free of fingerprints, dirt, scuffs, bubbles, knots, or abrasive particles
- No separation of plies or surface papers (delamination)
- Corners should be free of bends or structural damage
Fabric-covered matboards may exhibit natural variations in color, weave, and fiber characteristics due to the inherent properties of textile materials. These variations are normal and not considered defects.
Handling Recommendation
Matboards should be handled with clean white gloves to help prevent fingerprints or surface marking.
Dimensional Accuracy
Matboards are precision cut to maintain consistent sizing and squareness.
Standard Tolerances
| Length | 0" to +1/8" |
| Width | 0" to +1/8" |
| Diagonal (squareness) | ±1/16" |
Matboards are intentionally never cut short to maintain proper sizing tolerance.
Lay Flatness
At the time of manufacture, matboards are produced to maintain a maximum curl tolerance of 1/8" per linear foot when measured on a flat surface.
As a paper-based product, matboard may respond to environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and handling once it leaves our facility. Changes in these conditions can impact flatness over time.
Recommended Storage Conditions
Proper storage will help maintain optimal flatness and performance.
- Store matboards flat on shelves, not vertically
- Maintain relative humidity between 45–60%
- Avoid exposure to excessive moisture or rapid temperature changes
Our manufacturing facility is climate-controlled to stabilize materials during production. Temperatures are maintained around 72–73°F, with ventilation used to regulate humidity.
Product Identification
All standard matboards (excluding specials or promotional items) include product identification.
Identification may appear as:
- Back printing with product name and number
- A removable product label
Thickness Specifications
| Ply | Thickness |
|---|---|
| 4-ply | .050" – .055" |
| 6-ply | .090" – .095" |
| 8-ply | .130" – .135" |
A ±5% tolerance may apply due to normal variation in raw materials prior to lamination.
Note: Fabric-covered matboards may vary slightly due to the thickness and characteristics of specialty fabrics.
Material Characteristics
While we take all necessary steps to ensure quality, matboard is made from natural paper fibers and specialty surface materials, including fabrics and textured finishes. Minor variations in color and texture are inherent to these materials and are not considered defects.
Quality Assurance
Crescent Brands maintains strict quality standards to ensure all matboards remain within the tolerances outlined in this specification. Surface papers, core materials, and backing sheets are inspected upon receipt, monitored during production, and reviewed again prior to being placed into finished goods inventory to maintain consistent product quality.
These specifications represent acceptable manufacturing tolerances for Crescent Brands matboard products.
