How to cut a mat

1. Select the artwork to be matted.
2. You will be using a 3” mat, meaning a 3” border around your artwork.
3. Use cropping angles (hanging on the phone near the paper cutter) to crop your art work to establish the best composition. Also, use the angles to figure what color mat will look BEST with your artwork, BLACK, WHITE or CREAM.
4. Get a ruler and a sharp pencil.
5. Measure the inside measurements for your mat, meaning the width and hieght of the window you will be cutting. Write these measurements on a scrap of paper or in the border of your artwork.
6. Now, here comes the MATH Add 6 to both measurements. The answer to this are the dimensions for the OUTSIDE edge of your mat. Ah, simple math.
Example: I want 14”x 18¾” of my artwork to show. So I will add 6 to both measurements, it should look like this (write it out just like this, it makes it easier to check your measuring and your math):
14” x 18¾” -------> inside measurements
+6 +6
20” x 24¾” -------> outside measurements
7. If your measurements are less than 20”x30” use the half sheet of mat board. If your measurements are more than 20”x30” but less than 30”x40” use the full sheet of mat board.
8. Before you get mat board, make sure the area you are working in is clean You do not want paint or charcoal on the front of your mat. Put your artwork in a safe place. It is never fun when it accidently ends up in the path of an angry mat knife.
9. Now, get a T-Square and a cutting mat (to protect your blade, as well as the table)
10. Now you can get a sheet of mat board. Draw all of your measurements on THE BACK of your mat board. Pencil lines just arent attractive.
11. Use a T-Square to measure the OUTSIDE dimensions of your mat. Measure in a way to create the least amount of waste, meaning the excess is one larger piece of mat board, rather than 2 skinny pieces. That way someone can use your scraps to mat a smaller piece of work. And the trees wont be sad.
12. Get a mat cutter (aka box cutter, mat knife, etc). Make sure the blade is sharp If it appears old or dull, I can snap it off for you or replace the blade all together. Whatever you do, DO NOT use a frumpy knife, you will get a frumpy mat
13. Now, cut the outside of your mat.
14. NO WAIT Measure twice, cut once Double check all your measurements
15. Now, you can really go ahead and cut your mat. Line everything up to the edge of the table and use a T-square to guarantee a square(90°) mat.
16. If you are right handed, hold the blade in your right hand, the ruler in your left. Line the ruler up on the LEFT side of the line you are cutting. The ruler should be on the GOOD side of your mat board, while the blade should be on the RIGHT side of the line, meaning the side you do not need. If you are a lefty, hold the blade in the left hand, ruler in the right. The ruler should be on the right side of the line, on the good side of the mat board. The blade should be to the left of the line, on the side you do not need.
17. Now, the edge of the blade should be flush against the edge of the T-square. Push down and towards the ruler, carefully cutting the mat board. By pushing against the ruler with the blade you will ensure a perfect cut. Make sure you counterbalance the pressure of your cutting hand with equal and opposite pressure from your ruler-holding hand. Hm, simple physics.
18. You made need to run the blade two or three times to cut through the mat, make sure it goes in the same exact line as the first (dont move the ruler and dont take your hand of the ruler until it is completely cut).
19. Now that the mat is cut PERFECTLY, it is time to measure the INSIDE measurements. Measure in 3” from EACH edge of your mat. Make two little marks, and connect them to make a straight line. The line should be parallel to the edge from which you measured in 3” and perfectly perpendicular to the other edge.
20. Now that your inside window is measured and drawn, CHECK IT. Make sure the inside measurements are IDENTICAL to your original measurements. If they are correct, then you may proceed. If not, FIX it MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE
21. Cut the inside of your mat out very carefully, making sure you stop where identified by all your previously drawn lines.
22. If the inside does not easily pop out, do not force it. Carefully recut your edges to help avoid tearing your edge.
23. You have a fabulous little frame, dont you? Ah, yes, because you followed all my directions Good show
24. Now, carefully place your artwork under the mat, line it up perfectly. Place a small piece of masking tape to secure it temporarily.
25. Flip it over, and tape all of your edges completely, using the 3” masking tape.
26. Flip it over again, and check to make sure the work is in the correct spot.
27. Flip it to the back again and carefully center the inside cut out (the equivilent of a munchkin) on the back to make your work a bit studier. Completely tape all edges with the 3” masking tape.
28. Now, flip it to the front and carefully admire your handiwork Sign the bottom right corner of your work (NOT the mat) in the same medium you used for your piece.
29. Congratulations, you are a pro
30. Now, CLEAN UP Scrap mat goes in the scrap mat bin, the rulers go in the drawer, the cutting mats go in the cabinet under the light box near the sink, the knives and tape go back in or on my desk, and tiny scraps or tape balls go in the garbage. Now, a real congratualtions are in order