Guide Navigation
Introduction to Picture Framing & Matting
Designing Your Picture Frames and Mats
Color Selection
Matboard Types
Frame Types
Mat styles
Glass types
Measuring and Sizing Picture Frames and Mats
Mats
Frames
Costs of Picture Framing
DIY Picture Frames
Mat Cutting
Cutting mat board sheet to size
- Making the Most of a 32 x 40 Sheet
- Trimming Mat Board to Size
- Trimming Mat Board to Size with Straight Edge
- Trimming Mat Board to Size with Compact
- Trimming Mat Board to Size with Simplex
- Mat Cutting
- Cutting Single Mat Using a Straight Edge
- Cutting a Single Mat With a Simplex-Basics
- Cutting a single mat with a simplex-detailed
- Cutting a double mat
- Cutting a double mat- detailed professional version
- The professional framers secret for cutting a double mat
- How to measure and cut a double mat,
- Cutting a stepped corner mat – basics
- Cutting stepped corner mats – detailed
- Offset (stepped) corner mat
Mat Cutter Choices
Mat Cutting Help, Troubleshooting and FAQs
- Slip sheets
- The importance of using a slip sheet when cutting
- The importance of using a backing sheet
- Why am I getting a ragged cut?
- How to avoid rough or ragged edges when cutting mats
- Dealing with inconsistencies in the bevel edges
- Adjusting your mat cutter for proper blade depth
- The importance of proper blade depth
- Why am I getting a hook in the corners or curve in the bevel cut?
- How come I don't cut all the way through the mat board?
- How to conquer overcuts and undercuts?
- Dealing with overcuts and undercuts
- Why am I getting overcuts in the corners?
- Why are my mats not coming out square?
- Why is my bevel cut going the wrong way?
- How to cut left handed
- How to cut a 40" sheet of mat board on the 32" compact mat cutter
- Is using production stops the fool proof way to get perfect mats?
- Tips for working with production stops on your mat cutter
- Basic mat cutter maintenance
Mounting Your Artwork
Methods of Mounting
- Mounting your artwork
- Grappling with conservation and archival mounting concerns
- Supporting Artwork
- Hinge mounting T, V and S methods
- A simple method to a T-hinge mount
- Trapping methods
- Permanent mounting
- Wet mounting
- Pressure sensitive adhesive mounting
- How to mount artwork using positionable mounting adhesive (PMA)
- Spray adhesives
Glazing with Glass and Plastic
Securing or Fitting your Artwork in a Picture Frame
Finishing Your Artwork
An inlay mat provides a color accent like a double mat, but does not create a second layer. Instead, one board is inlaid into another in a seamless single layer.
1.Cut one board 11" x 14".
2.Cut the inlay board 1/4" smaller.
3.Adhere the mats together by placing a small amount of double-sided tape on the face of the smaller board—towards the outside edges.
4.Set the mat guide and stop to 3". Put the two layers into the cutter, face down, and cut a 3" border on all four sides. The inlay opening has just been cut. The tape will hold the boards together.
5.Remove the stop and set the mat guide at 2 1/2".
