Bobby Berk Classic Staircase III: Mat vs No Mat Compared

Quick answer

Choose the regular mat if you want a quieter, more traditional gallery look and can size your prints to the mat opening; choose no mat if you want the image to fill more of the frame and a cleaner, more contemporary line. On the Bobby Berk Classic Staircase III, the mat version is the safer pick for stairwells where you view the frames from an angle.

What the mat actually changes on a staircase wall

A regular mat adds a visible border between the print and the black frame. On a staircase, you rarely stand square to the wall, so that border does two things: it gives the eye a neutral resting zone, and it makes small print-size mistakes less obvious. No mat removes that buffer, so the print edge sits close to the frame and any size or alignment error reads more clearly.

This is a visual trade-off, not a quality difference. The Classic Staircase III set is designed to be hung as a group, and the mat choice changes how much of each frame is print versus border.

Print size is the decision you cannot undo

With a regular mat, you order prints to the mat opening, not the frame size. That means the visible image is smaller than the frame, and you need to confirm the mat opening before ordering prints. With no mat, the print fills the frame opening, so the same frame shows a larger image.

If you already own prints, measure them first and choose the insert that fits. If you are ordering prints after the frames, decide the look first, then size the prints to that opening. The supplied product information does not list a specific mat opening for every size option, so check the size and option details on the product page before ordering prints.

Where the mat version wins and where it does not

The mat version suits stairwells with mixed lighting, textured walls, or frames hung at slightly different heights, because the border absorbs visual noise. It also suits anyone who wants the set to read as a traditional gallery wall rather than a grid of images.

The no-mat version suits tight stairwells where every inch of image matters, and rooms where the frames are the graphic element. It is less forgiving if your prints arrive slightly off-size or if you hang the set without the template.

Mat vs no mat trade-offs

• Regular mat: Adds a neutral border that softens alignment and print-size errors and gives a traditional gallery look. The cost is a smaller visible image for the same frame size. Measure the mat opening before ordering prints.
• No mat: Lets the print fill the frame opening for a larger image and a cleaner, more contemporary line. The cost is less tolerance for off-size prints and uneven hanging. Use the included hanging template and confirm print size against the frame opening.
• Stairwell viewing angle: Because staircase frames are seen from below and at an angle, the mat border helps the set read evenly. No mat emphasizes the image but also emphasizes spacing differences. If your stairwell has uneven wall texture or lighting, lean toward the mat.

Product facts

• Bobby Berk - Classic Staircase III - Black (Right - Regular Mat): The Classic Staircase III set includes a printed professional hanging template and one large 16" x 20" classic wood frame, and is available in Type, Size, and Color options. The template reduces spacing errors on a staircase, which matters more with no mat because print edges sit closer to the frame.

  

Which should you choose?

Choose the regular mat if

• You want a traditional gallery look and a buffer for minor print or hanging errors
• Your stairwell is viewed from an angle or has uneven lighting

Choose no mat if

• You want the largest possible image within each frame
• You prefer a clean, contemporary grid and will hang with the included template