Guide Chapters
INTRODUCTION
Picture framing and matting can be an “easy”, quick process; but also can be a longer, elaborate process as well. Depending on the types of outcomes you’re wanting to achieve, there are a few steps, or many, that you will need to know and follow to obtain the best results. The following sections will present to you all the “in’s and out’s” of picture framing, mat cutting, and more.
Section 1: Introduction to Picture Framing & Matting
Designing Your Picture Frames and Mats
Color Selection
- Reading Artwork
- Selecting a Color
- Tips on Choosing Colors in Matting
- Color Trends in Picture Framing
Matboard Types
Frame Types
Mat styles
- Mat Styles
- Determine Window Size
- Designing Mats for Standard Size Frames
- Designing with Standard Sizes
- Mat Size and Proportion
- Mat Proportion
- Should Mat Bottom be Wider?
- Trends in Matting Design
Glass types
Measuring and Sizing Picture Frames and Mats
Mats
- Measuring and Sizing Picture Frame Mats
- Border Finder
- Measuring for Mats
- Calculate Border Size
- How to Calculate Border Size (VIDEO)
Frames
Costs of Picture Framing
DIY Picture Frames
- Measuring for Frame Making
- Cutting Picture Frame Moulding
- Sanding Picture Frame Moudling
- Joining with Studio Joiner F300-1
- Joining with Pro joiner F300-1
- How to Get Perfect Corner Joints
- Tips for Joining Using Pro Joiner
- Types of Wood Used in DIY Framing
- Can You Use Hardwood Nail on Soft Wood?
- DIY Framing
- F300-1 Studio Joiner
- F300-2 Pro Joiner
- F200-2 Sander
Mat Cutting
Cutting mat board sheet to size
- Reducing Mat Board to Frame Size
- Making th 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
Cutting a single rectangle mat
- Mat Cutting
- Cutting Single Mat Using a Straight Edge
- Cutting a Single Mat Using a Compact Mat Cutter
- Cutting a Single Mat With a Simplex-Basics
- Cutting a single mat with a simplex-detailed
- How to cut a single mat
Cutting a Double rectangle mat
- Cutting a double mat- simple version
- Cutting a double mat- professional version
- Cutting a double mat- detailed professional version
- The professional framers secret for cutting a double mat
- How to measure and cut a double mat,
- How to cut a double mat
- 12 steps to an easy double mat, video
Cutting a stepped corner rectangular mat
- Cutting a stepped corner mat – basics
- Cutting stepped corner mats – detailed
- Offset (stepped) corner mat
Cutting an Inlay Mat
Cutting a V groove mat
- Cutting a v groove mat with the trim –and-tape method
- Cutting a v groove with the tape – and –flip method
- Cutting a v groove using a logan V groover (discontinued)
- Cutting a v groove
Adding decorative ink lines to rectangular mats
Cutting multiple opening mats
Cutting oval and circle mats
Mat Cutter Choices
- Understanding the differences between mat cutters
- Choosing the right Logan mat cutter
- Mat cutter comparison chart
- Exploring the differences between mat cutters
- The crucial importance of a squaring arm in mat cutting
- Model 2000 hand mat cutter
- Model 4000 hand mat cutter
- Model 5000 8-Ply mat cutter
- Model 201 Oval and Circle mat cutter
- Model 250 Craft and Hobby mat cutter
- Model 301-1 Compact Classic mat cutter
- Model 350-1 Compact Elite mat cutter
- Model 401-1 Artist Classic mat cutter
- Model 424-1 Team System mat cutter
- Model 450-1 Artist Elite mat cutter
- Model 500 Mat Knife straight cutter
- Model 550-1 Simplex Classic mat cutter
- Model 650-1 Framers Edge Elite mat cutter
- How the new and improved model 650-1 mat cutter is better
- Model 701-1 Straight cutter
- Model 704-1 Glass cutter
- Model 709-1 Plastic cutter
- Model 750-1 Simplex Elite mat cutter
- Sorting out the differences in the new simplex mat cutters
- Model 850 Platinum Edge mat cutter
Mat Cutting Help, Troubleshooting and FAQs
- Slip sheets
- The importance of using a slip sheet when cutting
- The importance of using a backing sheet
- What is a slip 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?
- How to adjust blade depth
- Why are my mats not coming out square?
- How to square a mat board
- Why is my bevel cut going the wrong way?
- How to avoid the reverse bevel cut
- How to cut left handed
- How to cut left handed (VIDEO)
- 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
- How to do 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