Things You'll Need:
- Picture
- Cardstock
- Paper trimmer
- Adhesive
- Ruler
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Step 1
Measure the picture that you are planning to mat using a ruler. You can use a small pencil to mark the size on the back of the picture for future reference.
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Step 2
Examine the picture and choose two colors that you'd like to use for the matting. You can use one solid and one patterned, two solids, or two corresponding patterned papers, but be careful not to overwhelm the photo. Patterned papers work best for black and white pictures, while solids are best for busy, colored photos.
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Step 3
Cut one mat with a paper trimmer to a size half-an-inch larger than the photo on all sides. This will be your base mat. Then, cut your second mat out of your other paper choice to be a-quarter-inch larger than your picture all the way around. You should now have two mats and a picture, all in graduating sizes.
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Step 4
Flip the picture over and apply adhesive to the back of it. Remember to always use a non-acidic adhesive such as mounting squares, and make sure that it is approved for archival use. Flip the picture back over and position it carefully onto the smaller of the two mats. It should be centered perfectly, with the same amount of mat showing on each side.
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Step 5
Apply adhesive to the mat and picture that have already been bonded together, using the same archival quality adhesive. Bond it to the larger mat so that you now have three layers of paper: the picture, the smaller mat and the larger mat.
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Step 6
Remember that you can do as many or as few mats as you want. Adding more mats in larger sizes can give a more playful look, while a few mats can give your scrapbooking projects a more professional look.
