Wednesday, May 18, 2016

How to Cut a Mat for Picture Framing



Cutting a mat requires understanding the material and the know-how to use the tools properly. A mat cutter is an instrument in the hands of a skilled craftsman.
Mat board is made of several layers glued together to make the board. A blade used to cut the board is thin and very sharp. If the blade was too thick and not sharp it would tear the paper. But because it’s thin it will have a tendency to flex, causing the cut to waver.

Even with precaution, blade flex can still occur if the cut is too deep.  In mat cutting, a scrap piece of mat board called a backing sheet is used under the mat when cutting.  Adjust the depth of the cut to just scratch the surface of the backing sheet.

Replace the backing sheet when the surface gets a lot of scores. Also a dull blade can also lead to blade flex.  When the blade is new it cuts through the mat board with ease, as it becomes dull it drags and the more it drags, the more it flexes. 

Changing the blade often eliminates chips and dullness in the blade. It also prevents the patchy cutting and failure to cut through the mat during the entire length of the cut. Make sure the blade depth is properly adjusted. Mat board can vary in thickness so double check the blade depth before cutting. 
  
With firm downward pressure, hold the metal rail firmly in place. Then press down on the thumb depression on the mat cutter to plunge the blade into the mat. Move the cutter along the rail (towards the top of the opening) while applying firm downward pressure until you reach the upper line.  Slowly press the mat cutter about 1/32″ beyond the opening’s top line to insure that the corner is cut all the way through.


 


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