How to Cut a Picture Mat. Mats are used in framing photographs and artwork to center the focus of the picture and give it a sense of spatial depth. The addition of a sleek, well-cut mat can greatly enhance the look of any framed picture, but having a mat cut and frame made commercially can sometimes cost more than the picture itself. A cheaper solution is to learn to cut your own mat frames using a handful of basic materials that allow you to fully customize the look of your framed picture for a fraction of the cost.
Take a look at the picture and get an idea of what size mat and/or frame you’ll need. The completed project will consist of your picture sandwiched between two uniformly sized mats, with the center of the frontal mat cut to display the picture. You’ll need at least two pieces of mat board: one to serve as the backing for the picture and the other to cut a “window frame” that wraps around the front side of the picture. Larger pictures, like artwork headed for exhibition, will obviously require larger mats, but the exact specifications of the mat will also depend on how much of it you want to be visible around the picture.
Mats come in many different colors, designs and thicknesses. Pick a mat (or a number of mats if you choose to utilize multiple layers) you like that is a good look for the picture you’ll be framing, then decide whether the mat will go around the edges of the picture in the frame or serve as a frame itself. If you think the picture you’re framing might benefit from the added depth of multiple layered window frame mats, select the mats in color and texture combinations that complement each other.
To cut the mat, you’ll need a sharp blade capable of cutting perfectly straight lines. The most readily available and least expensive option is a standard razor blade or box cutter with a fixed handle. You can also purchase a specialty sliding mat cutter tool, but these tend to be more costly and require more of a learning curve to use without making mistakes.
The ruled edge will be used to measure the mat to fit the picture and frame and to assist in cutting straight edges. The T-square has the added benefit of enabling you to measure precise angles. You’ll also need the ruler or T-square to keep the width of all sides of the mat consistent.
Use the ruler to measure the height and width of the picture you’ll be cutting the mat to fit. Both of the mats you cut should match the dimension of the picture exactly; the inner area of the second (window frame) mat will need to be cut at least a half inch smaller than the picture itself to hold it in place. Write down the picture’s dimensions and set it aside for now.
If you have a frame picked out that you want to use, remove the glass or plastic from the front and extract the backing board. The backing board is what you will be using for reference as the mats will be measured and cut to fit the inner part of the frame where the picture sits. Copy down the dimensions of the frame, making sure to differentiate what the various measurements are for.
With the dimensions of the picture or artwork in mind, decide what size will work best for cutting the window mat. The window mat will be placed around the edges of the front side of the picture and will usually overlap the picture slightly, so settle on a window mat size that doesn’t obscure too much of the picture. On the back of the second mat board, trace the measurements of the picture where you plan to cut the window frame.
Refer back to the dimensions of the frame backing board you measured earlier. Using these measurements, place the ruler or T-square along the first edge of the mat and mark with a pencil on the back side of the mat where the cutting edge is to be. Start at the top edge of the mat and make a small notch every few inches. This will give you a dotted line to follow as you cut, and can help you realign the cutting trajectory if the ruler is to slip at any point.
Take the razor, box cutter or mat cutter tool and line it up with the edge of the ruler. Make sure the cutting edge is flush with the ruler; if you’re using a mat cutter tool, it will be a sliding attachment with its own ruled edge to ensure that the cutter doesn’t slip. When cutting manually, be sure to press firmly against the ruler or T-square to keep it from moving as you cut. Cut the mat with a slow, steady motion, applying equal pressure throughout the whole movement. Repeat the cutting process on the remaining three sides of the mat, checking again that the length and width are accurate and that you’re cutting the right amount.
Cut the second mat board to the exact specifications of the first. You’ll be using this mat as the window frame for the front of the picture. If you’ve selected a mat of a fanciful color or design, it should be the one you use for the window mat, as it will be front and center in the frame and complement the aesthetic of the picture. Once again, let the ruler edge guide you as you carefully cut out the four sides of the window frame.
If you want to create a more complex layered look, cut multiple window frame mats, each approximately .5″ to 1″ smaller than the previous one. Arrange the mats concentrically around the picture. When using layered mats, you can alternate various colors or designs, making the space around the picture deeper and more ornate.
Place the picture against the backing mat and then center the window frame mat over it. Once you’ve lined up both mats and made sure the picture is centered, take small strips of artist’s tape and lightly stick the mat halves together. Flip the matted picture over and tape across the back edges. You can then remove the strips of tape from the front and the mats will be secured around the picture. That’s it! Insert the newly-matted picture into the frame or let the mats act as a rough frame themselves if you prefer.
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