How to Cut a Mat Frame

Picture mats add a professional look to framed images.

Mats are thick pieces of cardboard with center cutouts that lay on top of photographs or pictures. The mat adds a professional look to the image and hides the edges of the frame. Mats are available in a wide variety of colors and some even have designs on them. Having a mat cut to size at a professional framing store can get expensive. With the proper tools you can cut the mat yourself at home.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Picture frame
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Utility knife
• T square
• Image or photograph
• Mat cutter

1. Turn the picture frame that you are cutting the mat for face down on a flat work surface. Locate the small metal tabs around the edge of the backing and slide them toward the outer edge of the frame. Pick up the center of the back and lift it out.

2. Measure the length and the width of the glass that is inside the picture frame using a tape measure. These are the outside dimensions that you will use to cut the mat. Do not measure the actual size of the opening itself since there should be a 1/8 inch gap between the perimeter of the mat and the frame.

3. Lay the mat with the finished side facing down on top of the work surface. Use the tape measure and a pencil to draw lines on the mat that indicate the outside measurements.

4. Place a straight edge, such as a "T" square along one of the pencil lines. Cut along the line with a utility knife using firm pressure. Repeat to cut the other three pencil lines until the proper outside dimensions of the mat are achieved.

5. Measure the length and size of the image you are creating the mat for using a tape measure. Subtract 1/2 inch from the length and the width to arrive at the internal window size. This allows for a 1/4-inch overlap all the way around the image. For example, if the measurements were 4 inches wide by 6 inches long your internal window measurements would be 3 1/2 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches long.

6. Place the edge of the tape measure at the top of the mat and measure down until you reach the location of the top of the internal window. Mark the location with a pencil. Continue placing pencil marks around the edges of all sides of the mat using the dimensions arrived at in Step 5. When you have marked all sides, use the straight edge of the T square to connect the internal lines so that you have a rectangular shape.

7. Position the mat on the mat cutter face down. Line up one of the pencil lines with the cut line on the mat cutter.

8. Press down on the handle of the blade, which is located above the cut line. Push down with firm pressure and pull the blade toward you until you reach 1/8 inch beyond the next corner. On some mat cutters, you will push the blade away from you rather than pull it toward you.

9. Remove the mat from the mat cutter and place it finished side down into the picture frame. Lay the picture face down on top of the mat and then insert the frame back on top of the picture. Slide the metal tabs toward the center of the frame to secure the back.

References

• Art Supply: How to Cut a Basic Mat
• Luminous Landscape: Matting