Mats give framed paintings an extra professional look.
Adding a mat when you are framing oil paintings and other works of art helps improve the overall appearance of a piece by adding a neutral space between the frame and the art. Matting can often be expensive if it is done by a professional framing service. However, you can craft your own custom-fit mats at home using uncut mat board and a cutting blade. The resulting mats will add a special touch to your oil paintings at a fraction of the usual cost.
Instructions
1. Measure the picture frame's window with the ruler. Trim the mat board to size using the mat cutter so that it fits evenly into the picture frame.
2. Determine the desired width of the mat's sides. Mats typically feature at least a 2-inch width (See Reference 4), although smaller paintings can have a frame that is less than 2 inches.
3. Mark the dimensions of the mat on the back of the mat board. Use the ruler and pencil to draw each margin, leaving a box in the middle of the mat board. Make sure that the lines you draw intersect. This will help guide you as you make your cuts.
4. Lay the mat board onto the mat cutting board to create a safe work surface. Line up the ruler against the first line you wish to cut, with the ruler positioned outside of the box.
5. Insert the mat cutter's blade into the mat board, along the box's line. Hold the blade at a 45 degree angle if you want a beveled edge for your mat (See Reference 3). Pull the cutter towards you as you cut. Make sure you do not cut past the corner of the box.
6. Cut the remaining three lines and remove the box to complete the mat. Touch up the corners if necessary using the mat cutter's blade .
