You can buy a pre-cut mat.When faced with a piece of art that doesn't conform to commercial standards, knowing how to make it yourself saves time and money.You can cut your own professional, hinged mats using the most primitive of tools, a utility knife and metal ruler, if you follow these steps to the letter.
Step 1: Pick out your supplies.
Take your art work with you when you go to get it matted, mat board, cardboard or foam core board for backing, a pencil, eraser, metal ruler, small piece of fine grain sandpaper, or an emery board.
Step 2: Mat cutting can be done on a sturdy surface.
You should protect it with stiff cardboard if you cut it larger than the mat.The cardboard on the backs of art paper is hard to cut with a knife.If necessary, join one or more with tape to make a larger piece.
Step 3: The pebble surface mat board is white.
Crescent brand can be found in the vertical bins at the craft store.
Step 4: The edges of the mat board are perfect.
Step 5: From the top right or left corner, cut the piece you need.
Measure the inside of the frame and use a pencil to mark the cuts on the mat board.
Step 6: Pick any brand or grade of knife.
The blade needs to be new and sharp.You will need a screw driver to open the handle for a new blade.
Step 7: Don't forget to protect the piece you are using for your mat.
The important part is spared if you make a bad cut.Align the ruler at your pencil mark and hold it against the board with enough pressure to keep it from sliding as you run the knife against it.All of the cuts will be done slowly and with a light hand.The hand holding the knife should be loosened.At first, your cut won't penetrate the mat board.The knife will fall into the grooves you created with the first cut.It will take two more light cuts to get through the board.To cut the second side, turn the board.You might have to approach the table from a different direction in order to keep the proper position for cutting, with the knife cutting away from the good part of the mat, into the center.
Step 8: To make sure the piece of mat board fits in your frame, you need to take the test.
It should be a perfect fit if you have measured correctly.If necessary, make adjustments at this point.
Step 9: If you want to align your art work, place it on the mat.
There are a few inches of white around the art piece.Find a bigger frame if there is less.
Step 10: Measure in from the outside edges of your mat with a ruler.
The hole in the mat should be slightly smaller than the art piece.The bottom edge can be slightly larger if there is a difference.You can reference those numbers by writing them on a piece of scrap paper.
Step 11: It's time to set your art aside.
Measure in from the four outside edges of your mat and use a series of small dots in pencil to plot the shape of the cuts for the interior of a mat or mat opening.
Step 12: The corners should be cut first.
Place the knife on the mat board and press hard, straight down, to pierce the board.On the second side of the corner, turn the work.The corners of your mat will be perfect if you create "L" shapes at each corner.Corner cuts in the board will be starting and stopping points for side cuts.
Step 13: To cut the mat sides, repeat the steps.
Don't let the important part get in the way.If you have your ruler on the mat side, cut toward the center.Light cuts will get you through the board.Don't try to pull the center.Keep cutting light strokes until the center comes away.
Step 14: Sandpaper is used on rough spots.
Sand can be put on one side of your mat or on the outside.Don't rub, tear or pull any flaws.Slow and methodical strokes of emery board are used.
Step 15: All pencil lines need to be erased.
Use an art gum or a pink eraser.The mat board has abbled surface.
Step 16: Cut a piece of cardboard.
This can be cheaper than a piece of foam core board.It should be smaller than the mat's dimensions.Align the top edge of the backing with the mat and tape the two edges with a continuous strip of tape to form a hinge.
Step 17: To reinforce the hinge, fold the mat and backing closed and tape it to the outside.
Step 18: Place your artwork on the backing.
If you close the mat, it will align perfectly.Tape the art at intervals with two inch pieces of tape.Don't tear these small pieces of tape.
Step 19: Check to see that there is nothing between the art and the glass when you set the matted piece into the frame.
New pencil marks will show up when you erase again.Check to see if you have signed your work.Before closing up the matted art in the frame, be sure the glass is completely dry.