How to Cut Mats for Pictures

Mat give framed art and photos importance.

Picture mats provide several important elements for framed artwork and photographs. The mat separates the work from the glass of the frame, acting as a space. The mat also provides a visual separation from the work, giving the art or photo its own space and presence. A mat can make a dramatic difference in the way the work is exhibited. Cutting mats requires accurate measurements and very sharp tools. Mat knife blades should be changed often.

Things You'll Need

• Matting board
• Pencil
• X-Acto knife
• Straight edge ruler

Instructions

1. Measure the artwork or photograph to be framed. Allow for a 1/4 inch border around the work that will be covered by the mat to calculate the mat opening size.

2. Draw the calculated mat opening in the middle of the back of the matting board, using the pencil and ruler. Determine the width of the border and draw it on the back of the board.

3. Practice cutting straight down with the X-Acto knife to get a clean cut on a portion of the mat board that will not be used. Practice achieving a clean cut at corner edges.

4. Cut through the pencil lines using the straight edge and the X-Acto knife on the wrong side of the mat, cutting straight down.

References

• The Luminous Landscape - Matting