MattingIntroductionA mat is a border made of paper or illustration board that compliments as itsurrounds an image. Matting a picture is done for protection, ease ofhandling, framing, and appearance. Before displaying or presenting acertificate, a photograph, or a piece of artwork to an individual, you shouldmount, mat, and if possible, frame it. It takes skill to cut professionallooking mats.MatsToolsA mat focuses your attention on the image within the mat. When used in aframe, mats protect image surfaces from direct contact with the glass thatmay trap moisture and cause mildew. When used alone, mats protect imageareas from fingerprints and smudges.To cut a mat requires skill and patience. You need a pencil, a rule, a steelstraightedge, a crafts knife with a sharp blade, sandpaper or an emery board,tape, a matboard, and a backing board. You may be fortunate enough tohave a hand-held mat cutter or, better still, a carriage-type mat cutter.MatproportionsThe width of the top and the sides of a mat are equal. The width of thebottom of the mat is slightly larger in dimension than the top and sides. Agood ratio to work with is 3 to 4.Cutting a matThe key to successful mat cutting is to use a sharp blade in your knife. Theby handfirst thing you prepare should be the blade. Lightly mark the mat dimensionson the surface of the mat. Place the steel straightedge on the mat and cutalong the inside edge. That way, should your knife slip, the cut would be onthe portion of the mat you intended to discard. Begin your cuts at thecorners. Hold the knife at a right angle to the mat to make a square cut andat a lesser angle to make a bevel cut. Maintain the same angle of cut for allsides of the mat.Continued on next page2-32
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