- 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
USING A HAND-HELD CUTTER
Trimming matboards to size manually requires a straightedge or T-square, a hand-held cutter, and a sturdy, flat worktable.
Lay the matboard face down on the table. Measure and mark the sizes required on the back of the matboard using a pencil and an accurate rule.
To trim the board to size:
1. Lay a scrap of matboard on the table surface and set the measured matboard face down on top of the scrap board.
2. Set the T-square in place on one of the penciled lines.
3. Set the cutting head on the edge of the rule, insert the blade into the board, and pull the cutter. Be careful as the cutter comes close to the edge of the table.
If a board is very thick, a couple of passes may be taken on the same cut to get all the way through; it is not necessary to cut through a board in one swipe.
4. Check the board for squareness. Trim if necessary. Making a perfect mat begins with a perfect board.
Use the straight cutter to trim matboards.
