- 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
- 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
- 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
It is helpful to be aware of the standard sizes for the art and framing industry, since mats and boards are often made to standard sizes, glass is often pre-cut to these sizes and many ready-made frames are available in them.
Knowing these sizes will help in choosing the best framing for artwork with regard to availability of framing materials. It is far easier to use a lite (sheet) of precut 16" x 20" glass than to trim the glass to 15" x 19 7/8".
Here is a list of the standard sizes found in the art, craft and picture framing industry. Many of the sizes are based on photography, fine art, or printing paper sizes.
4" x 5" 11" x 14" 24"x 36"
4" x 6" 12" x 16" 26" x 32"
5" x 7" 14" x 18" 30" x 40"
6" x 8" 16" x 20" 32" x 40"
8" x 10" 18" x 24" 36" x 48"
8" x 12" 20" x 24" 40" x 60"
8 1/2" x 11" 22" x 28" 48" x 60"
9" x 12" 24" x 30" 48" x 96"
*Sizes printed in bold are the most common.
Ready-made frames are generally available in the most popular standard sizes.
