Whether preparing artwork for sale or framing a treasured family photo, matting is can enhance and protect the piece. Custom matting is expensive, but with patience, practice and imagination, you can make your own. Experiment and have fun.
Instructions
1. Measure the photograph or artwork to be framed. Allow for at least a 1/8-inch border all around the image.
2. Determine the look of the finished product. Light mats open a small or dark piece up, wide mats add a feeling of richness to the work and weighted mats add balance.
3. Choose the mat board. Mat boards are available precut in standard sizes and popular colors. Buying uncut matting is cost effective and allows more versatility in color and weighting.
4. Calculate the mat opening; it should be at least 1/4-inch smaller than the work being framed. Deduct the image measurements from the mat size and divide the result by 2. This produces the width of the border around the image.
5. Use the width measurement to outline the border on the back of the matting. Review the measurements and placement before preparing to cut the matting. Remember the adage: measure twice, cut once.
6. Cut the opening. Use the edge of the ruler as a guide and cut straight down into the mat board. Cutting with the blade angled makes it hard to get clean edges.
