Mat Cutting 101

Mat Cutting Resources:

How to Measure and Cut a Mat

How to use the Logan 750 Simplex Mat Cutter 

(This is the one most commonly used)

How to use the Logan 650 Framer's Edge Mat Cutter 

‪(This is the one on the back table. It may or may not be working properly. ‬

An order has been placed for a new piece.)‬

                                                       How to use Fletcher Terry 3100 Wall Cutter: Mat, Mount, and Foam Board Demo Video

MORE RESOURCES:

• http://www.reframingphotography.com/content/mounting-matting-and-framing
• This page is very thorough and goes through practically everything you ever wanted to know about mounting, matting, and framing a photograph.

• http://www.fineart-photography.com/mat.html
• Joe Miller has a site that talks briefly about window matting and placement. But the real gem, is that he has a FREE DOWNLOADABLE EXCEL PROGRAM THAT WILL CALCULATE YOUR MAT BORDER MEASUREMENTS FOR YOU.
• Seriously. If you lose the handout I passed out in class. Or you are a little confused about the Golden Mean. Or you were half zombie/half asleep from pulling all nighters the last two weeks, or maybe you were just WAY TOO EXCITED about the upcoming break.              (or excited about printing and matting and photography in general. I will pretend this was the reason) 

• Anyway. Look it up. And when you open the file, it's the 4th tab on the bottom under "Mat Borders."

• http://www.phimatrix.com/matte-frame-golden-ratio/
• This does the same thing as the above link. Only differently. 
• Same end result, different ways to go about it. Just like in Photoshop. And driving. And life... (All about options here)

But what SIZE do my boards need to be?

• General gallery presentation sizes, according to standard frame sizes: 

                                      (ie: if you would like to pop one of these bad boys in a frame when you're done)

IMAGE SIZE                           BOARD SIZE

•        smaller than 8x10"                             11x14"
•        8x10" – 11x14"                                    16x20"
•        11x14" – 16x20"                                   20x24"
•        16x20" – 20x24"                                   24x36" – 30x40"
•        over 30" in any direction                     do not worry about matting

• If you are printing a non-standard size, such as a panorama or diptych, or a really large photograph and are unsure of what size you need, please email me or ask for the opinion of the lab monitor. 

Remember: 

• Each student is allotted 10 full sheets (32x40") of white mat board and 10 full sheets of foam core. Mat board is to be used for the front, to cut your window. The foam core is to be used for the backs of your hinged mats. 
• **** If you are printing on the smaller scale, and you do not anticipate going over 10 full sheets of mat board, you can use the mat board for your backs as well. It is up to your discretion, and how much you think you will need. ***

*** Oh, and make sure you get your cards punched! This helps us keep track of inventory. How much we have left, how much we went through, and how much to allocate for next semester.***