QA

How To Cut Photo Mats

Can you cut a picture mat with an Exacto knife?

Cut the mat size using your exacto knife. You can score the mat and cut again if that’s easier for you, sometimes the mat boards are thick.

What do you cut matboard with?

Step One: Place the mat board on top of the back of your frame backing and trace around it with a pencil. After tracing, cut out the section of mat board using your X-Acto knife or other sharp blade. Step Two: Place your artwork in the center of the mat to measure the location of the opening.

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.

How do you cut a picture mat without a mat cutter?

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. Typically, if you cut 2-3 of your own mats, your tools will pay for themselves!Mar 10, 2014.

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).

Can a rotary cutter cut mat board?

You’ll also need a pencil, a cutting mat, a ruler, archival double-sided tape, and two cutters: a rotary cutter, a heavy-duty circle cutter. Using it as a guide to cut the square into the mat board, place the chipboard down on top of the mat board and mark a light pencil line along all four edges.

Why is my knife blade cutting through my mat?

When your Cricut cuts the mat, it means there is an error in the settings or that you’re using the wrong blade for your material. If the pressure is too high for a material, the blade will push through. An easy way to avoid this problem is to do a small test cut before cutting out your whole design.

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.

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.

How big is a sheet of mat board?

Most matboards are available in the standard 32″ x 40″ size. But the actual size of the board will probably be a fraction larger to allow for changes in humidity during shipping and storage. A full sheet of matboard may be squared by trimming off the excess, creating a true 32″ x 40″ board.

Do I need a cutting mat for rotary cutter?

Whenever you are doing any project using a rotary cutter or a utility knife, you will require a cutting mat. The purpose of the cutting mat is to safeguard the work surface from getting damaged and keep your knife from getting dull. They work great while sewing, printing, crafts, quilting, and several other projects.

How long do cutting mats last?

I’ve been buying cutting mats for four years now – always on Amazon – and I can tell you they usually last at least 3-6 months depending on how often you cut and what you’re cutting. These mats had lost their stick so quickly, even the cover sheet was not sticking to it.

How do you cut an angle mat?

You want to do it the other way (mat cutter facing the outside of the mat) or else your bevel will be cut the wrong way. To cut the mat, you simply push down the thumb lever and slide the mat cutter up the line while applying pressure. Stop when the mark on the mat cutter reaches the next line.

What materials can the Cricut knife blade cut?

What materials can I cut with Knife Blade? Balsa wood. 1/32″ 1/16″ 3/32″ Basswood. 1/32″ 1/16″ Cricut Chipboard. Craft Foam. 1.5mm. 2mm. 3mm. Leather. Garment Leather, Soft 2-3 oz. Garment Leather, Soft 4-5 oz. Tooling Calf Leather, Stiff 2-3 oz. Tooling Calf Leather, Stiff 4-5 oz. Matboard. 2 ply. 4 ply.

What happens if you use the wrong mat for Cricut?

A “Cricut Mat” is the surface where you cut all of your projects. If you don’t use the correct mat for your project, you risk running your materials and then have a tough time removing them from the mat. Note: If you are still deciding what Cricut machine you should buy, make sure you read this article.

What is a Cricut Brayer used for?

Eliminates every last wrinkle, kink, bubble, and pucker with ease. It firmly adheres material to your cutting mat and is perfect for pressing down fabric, vinyl, or iron-on, as well as inking blocks for printmaking.