QA

Quick Answer: How To Cut Mats For Frames

Will Michaels cut mat board?

But did you know that you can get a mat cut… any size and any layout in any of the mat materials available…at Michaels? (And probably other framing stores like JoAnn Fabrics and Hobby Lobby…. And they can probably do it while you wait (depending on how busy they are and if they have your preferred mat in stock).

How do you size a mat for a frame?

We typically suggest a mat border size that is larger than your frame width, so for example, if you had a 1″ wide frame around this print, you could use a 1 1/2″ mat border, making the outside of the mat 9″ x 7 3/4″ in this case.

Can you cut a mat with an Exacto knife?

If you don’t own a mat cutter, you can cut your mat window with an x-acto knife, but you won’t achieve a good clean bevel.

What size mat goes in 16×20 frame?

Standard Mat Board Sizes Artwork/Print Size Suggested Outer Size Mat Board Width (centered) 11×14 16×20 top/bottom: 2.5” right/left: 3” 11×17 18×24 top/bottom: 3.5” right/left: 3.5” 12×16 18×24 top/bottom: 3” right/left: 4” 13×19 18×24 top/bottom: 2.5” right/left: 2.5”.

How thick is a 4 ply mat board?

The thickness of a mat board, indicated as “ply,” is often an afterthought when it comes to selecting a mat board. In general, 4-ply (1/16-inch thick) and 8-ply (1/8-inch thick) are the most common, but 6-ply is also available.

What size mat do I need?

The Most Common Matting Art Size Typical Use Typical Matting Up to 5″ x 7″ Small photos, Instagram prints 1″- 1 1/2″ Up to 8 1/2″ -x11″ Medium phots, small prints 1 1/2″ – 2″ Up to 11″ x 14″ Large photos, small posters & prints 2″ – 2 1/2″ Up to 18″ x 24″ Medium posters & prints 2″ – 3″.

How do you size a mat?

Follow These Steps to Get the Right Dimensions Artwork Size : measure the visual area of the artwork you want to mat. For example 11×14″. Opening Size : subtract 1/2″ from the artwork size. For example, (11-1/2) x (14-1/2), 10 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ for the opening size.

How wide should a frame mat be?

As a general rule, your mat should always be 1.5 times as wide as your frame, or wider. If the mat is smaller than the frame, you run the risk of the artwork appearing stuffed into the frame.

Can you cut mat board with scissors?

The cutting technology’s the same and it works well. For finer work and initial cuts in a large sheet I use plain scissors; the largest pair I own. You might want to experiment with some scrap pieces because you might not like the edge when it’s done. It tends to pinch the matboard.

What is a mat cutter?

A mat cutter is a tool specifically designed for cutting the cardboard mat, or matting, used to mount art pieces. For artists, a mat cutter is a vital tool in the studio, allowing them to mount and frame work much more cheaply than a professional framing company.

Is 16×20 A standard frame?

11×14 and 16×20 are standard picture sizes and will give you a nice 2 1/2-3″ border which is about right IMO for a 11×14. Typically, the larger the size the larger the mat anywhere from 2 1/2″ for 11×14 to 5″ or more for a 20×30.

How much bigger should a frame be than the picture?

Often times the standard rule is to select a frame that is an inch wider and taller than the print, or poster. The frame shouldn’t be any bigger than the standard as it will make the picture or print look odd.

What does 11×14 matted to 8×10 mean?

For example, an 11×14 (which refers to the inside perimeter of the frame) used to frame an 8×10 image could be referred to as both an 8×10 frame or an 11×14, assuming the complete frame package contains the appropriate mat board. If the frame size—not the mat opening—says 11×14, it is referring to the inside dimension.

What can I use instead of a mat board?

Depending on the thickness of the frame, foamcore board can be substituted for mat board. Foamcore typically has a colored top ply, an inner white foam ply, and a white back, but some foamcore is colored all the way through. These boards come in large sheets and can be adapted to large projects.

Why is mat board so expensive?

Simply put, the larger it gets, the more materials are used and of course, the price goes up. As size increases, larger and larger pieces of glass are needed and because of fragility, our actual costs per square inch go up as well. Mat boards come in basically two different sizes 32″ x 40″ and 40″ x 60″.

Is mat board the same as Mount Board?

Much like mat board, mount board serves to protect a framed photograph or piece of artwork by providing a rigid, sturdy backing to keep photographs and artwork from moving or warping in the frame. The location of mount board is basically the opposite of mat board.

What size frame do I need for a matted 8×10?

A typical store-bought ready-made frame for an 8×10 photo will have a mat opening of 7.5×9. 5. This will allow the mat to overlap the image by ¼ inch on all 4 sides. It also helps to hold the image down.

How do I choose a mat and frame?

Here are some things to consider while choosing the right kind of mat for your picture: Step 1: Determine The Size Of Your Picture. Step 2: Select A Mat Board For The Picture. Step 3: Pick The Right Thickness For Your Picture Frame. Step 4: Measure The Size Of Your Picture Plus The Matting. Step 5: Choose The Right Effect.