In my experience, mat-board is as good as any store-bought carrier for small format and 6x6, 6x7 medium format films, the largest film sizes I've ever used them for, or care to, if you take the time to do it right. Make it a one piece unit with a hinged top and include a guide for the negative strip at least on one edge, made with paper tape or whatever scheme you care to try.
I've always used black board for these and and suggest you do the same, just remember to black the cut edges of the negative window on your mat board with a couple passes of Sharpie, if it isn't black throughout.
Eli