How to Use a Picture Mat Cutter

A mat cutter is able to create beveled edges for picture mats, making it a better choice than the average hobby knife.

Framing a picture with a mat instantly improves its presentation, letting the viewer focus on the most important parts of the scene while appreciating the mat's color complement.



Store-bought mats, which are most often pre-cut to the standard frame and picture sizes (4-by-6 inches, 5-by-7 inches, 8-by-10 inches, etc.), can end up costing a significant amount if you are matting several images at once. For this reason, and because you may want a nonstandard mat size, there are a number of picture mat cutters available for purchase. These have a wide range of intended users, from casual hobbyists to professional framer.

Things You'll Need

• Mat cutter
• Mat cutter instruction manual
• Mat board (can be purchased at most craft stores)
• Cutting mat large enough to cover mat
• Pencil
• Ruler (L-shaped ones, found at hardware stores, are particularly helpful, as are transparent rulers)
• Calculator (optional)
• Scrap paper (optional, for handwritten calculations)

Instructions

1. Install the blade that comes with your cutter. On most manual, hand-held cutters, the blade is fastened and released by way of a hand screw, and the blade can be fastened at either a 45- or 90-degree angle. To begin, set the blade at 90 degrees, so that it is perpendicular to the ground.

   If your mat cutter is one that resembles a paper cutter, with a blade already installed along a sliding bar, you can ignore this step.

2. Determine the size that the mat should be cut. Lay your mat board flat on the cutting mat and place your picture in the center. Carefully trace around the picture with your pencil. Now calculate the difference between the edge of the picture and the edge of the frame, and use the ruler to create another rectangle around the initial one, being careful not to let the inner rectangle go off-center.

   For example, if you have an 8-by-10 inch photograph and are using an 11-by-14 inch frame, then your mat needs to fill 3 inches on the top and bottom, and 4 inches on each side. Measure 3 inches from the edge of the top of the photograph and mark the point. Do the same with the bottom of the photograph, and then each side (using 4 inches rather than 3 inches as your measurement). Connect the points with straight lines to create the outer rectangle, which will measure 11 by 14 inches.

3. Cut out the outer rectangle by placing your mat cutter at one corner and using your ruler to maintain a straight cut as you push the cutter to the other corner. Because this step does not require a 45-degree angle, you can also use a rotary cutter or hobby knife to make the incisions.

   Put the remaining mat board aside. If you need to, remove your cutter blade and switch it to the other side, which should put its edge at a 45-degree angle to the mat board. Just as you did for the outer rectangle, push the mat cutter along the lines of the inner rectangle, using your ruler to keep it steady. Make sure that as you cut from corner to corner, the origin of the 45 degree angle is always toward the center; that is, each inner edge should be sloping toward the center rather than the edge.

4. Place the mat over your picture to get an idea of the finished product. Once you are satisfied, place the picture and mat into the frame and fasten the back of the frame closed. It is now ready to be mounted.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to cut yourself with the exposed blade, particularly while reinstalling it. Always push the mat cutter away from you, rather than toward you. You can rotate the mat board after each cut to make this more comfortable.

References

• The Small Object Steno Pad: How I cut a mat
• Luminous Landscape: Matting
• Art History: Picture Matting and Cutting Mats