A mat question

Check this link http://www.alanrossphotography.com/ar20/techForum.html out on Alan Ross's web site and scroll down to the "To Mount Or Not To Mount" heading. I am uncertain what he is referring to when he mentions placing flattened 11x14 prints and smaller in a "presentation/handling mat". If the print is corner mounted to a backing board and a beveled opening is then hinged to the backing board, then what is the "presenatation/handling mat" all about?

I'm sure it would be simple to understand if I had a visual to go by, but the description is a bit confusing to me.

Thanks

Chuck I think what he is talking about is a smaller matt board size for storage and handling for viewing up close. When the print is sold or in an exhibit it is transfered to a larger backing board and over matt. Corner pieces are on both the smaller and larger boards. Some people use 2 ply board and then use 4 ply or larger for exhibits.

lee\c

Me-thinks he's leaving a white border around the print, cuts the window opening in the overmat a tad larger than the image itself, signs his name in the white border area of the print, then positions the print in the window (with photo corners on the backing mat) so it looks like a traditionally dry mounted print.

This way if the mat gets damaged it can be easily replaced and there's no chance the edge of the actual image can be chipped off, like with a print that's been trimmed right into the image.

Murray