What color mat(s) should I use to frame a cream-colored diploma?

I have a cream-colored diploma that I would like to put in a decent frame. I don't want to spend $200 through the professional diploma framers, so I am looking to buy a frame myself. What color mat (or mats if double) would look nice in this situation? Would a cream-colored diploma look poor in a black frame with double white mats? Thanks.What color mat(s) should I use to frame a cream-colored diploma?
I would stick to the cream color 'family' .... and use a cream colored mat a shade or two darker than the diploma, with a thin line of Frenching - either hand penned, or applied tape - all around it... I would choose to use a line of Frenching either in black, or gold, or a shade of (pale coffee), darker than the mat ....





.... and for a second mat, inside the larger one, just touching the diploma, I would use a texture .... like an oatmeal colored linen material, or a textured paper to glue on .... ... you can glue it onto a purchased mat: make it larger than the mat by 1/2'; - both for the perimeter of the mat and for the window, too .....slit it carefully at the corners and miter it towards the back of the mat and glue it .........one word of warning: it is not at all easy to cut that angle on the window edge of a frame; you would need a sharp mat knife and a gizmo that will hold your knife at an angle so the cut is at exactly the same angle all around the window, exposing the filler of the mat under the colored paper glued onto the front .... ........ so I suggest you opt for a frame made of matboard, which you can cut yourself with a mat knife and then wrap with another material , unless you just happen to be lucky enough to find a pre-cut mat that is the right size, especially possible for the outer layer, if you are using two





..... as for the double white mats: no ... don't like it ... usually the mats are darker than the object framed, so it draws the attention of the viewer to the object itself.





if you would like, you could check with


Martha Stewart.com


http://www.marthastewart.com


and put into the search space: picture frames....she has all sorts of suggestions for framing articles.... including how to apply fabrics, different things like (leaves was the latest !!!) .....xxx





p.s. if you decide to cover a matboard with paper, make sure the matboard and paper you use are acid-free or they will yellow in time, and in addition will affect the color of your document .......and if using linen, launder it first, be sure to rinse it well, then dry and press out all the wrinkles before you even work with it further ... hey! you could even use Indian silk fabric What color mat(s) should I use to frame a cream-colored diploma?
Olive, Brown, earth tones
i think its better if you use light colors like light blue