QA

How To Cut Picture Mat

How do you cut a custom mat board?

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.

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.

Can you cut mat board with a Cricut?

The Cricut Maker and the Knife Blade are qualified to cut both 2-ply and 4-ply matboard. Matboard goes all the way up to 8-ply, but that’s too thick to cut, so stick to 2-ply and 4-ply matboard that is less than 2mm thick.

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.

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.

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 happens if I cut my Cricut mat?

Using a mat that has been cut through may affect the quality of later projects. Your machine may not cut your material properly in that area. Using a new mat will help prevent further frustration of blade cuts.

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.

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.

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.

What is double matting?

If you’re new to the world of custom framing, you may not have come across double matting before. It’s a pretty simple technique, done by layering one mat on top of another so that the bottom mat acts as a decorative border around your framed artwork.

What surface do you use an exacto knife on?

To use your exacto knife properly, you will also need a surface to cut on and a straight edge or ruler. The best cutting surface is a self-healing cutting mat.

How do you mount a picture at home?

Place your photograph upside down and spray the adhesive on it. Be sure to overspray the sides, top, and bottom edges. Position the photograph on the mount board and smooth it down from the center to the edges using your hand or a brayer. Typically the spray adhesives are not as permanent as dry or wet mounting.