How to Cut a Matte
1. Decide how much of a mat border you want to leave around the art. As a general rule, leave at least 3 inches on the sides and top and 4 inches on the bottom.
2. Calculate how much art you want to show through the window. For example, if you are framing a photograph that is 5 inches by 8 inches, you could cut a 6-inch-by-9-inch window and reveal the edge of the photo (and a 1/2-inch border all around) - or, you could cut a 4-inch-by-7-inch window and "crop" the photo.
3. "Float" a small piece on a large mat - revealing the entire piece of paper plus a border - for a very dramatic look. This works particularly well for art that bleeds off the edge of the paper.
4. Cut a piece of mat board to fit your picture frame. Measure the interior of the frame and mark these dimensions on the back of your mat.
5. Measure and mark the back of the mat, drawing the window that you'll cut out.
6. Cut the window from the back using your mat cutter. Place the straightedge along one of the lines, hold it steady and run the cutter down the edge.
7. Make sure the bevel is slanted out away from the window you are cutting so that the bevel will be visible from the "right" side of the mat.
8. Stop right at the window's corner so you don't overshoot.
9. Finish the cut with a razor if necessary.
Notes on Matte Cutting
1. It is best to leave about ¼ of an inch more at the bottom of the matte to avoid the optical illusion of the picture sitting low in the frame.
Matte Info
Decorative Mattes
o Acidic, made from wood pulp, not the best for matting
o Ok for prints, reproductions, but nothing of value
o Burns artwork, fades, turns yellow
o Is much cheaper
Conservation Board
o Colored in small variety
o 100% cotton – safe for artwork
o Most expensive mattes with colored faces
Museum Board
o Same color all through the board
o 100% cotton
o Non-acidic
o Long lasting
o Best for preserving artwork
More about Matte Cutting, see this Demo
How to make Fabric Mattes
1. Using a ruler and marking pen, draw around mat onto fabric adding about 1/4" on each side. Draw an "X" (from corner to corner) on the fabric that peeks out from the center of the mat.
2. Cut out fabric along the lines you've drawn including, the center "X".
3. Brush or roll a thin layer of glue (PVA) over the mat front. Center fabric over mat, and smooth over with fingers.
a. Fabric can be added to the matte while the glue is wet, or to avoid glue bleeding though, wait until the PVA glue is dry and then iron the fabric onto matte board.
4. Flip mat over. Fold center pieces of fabric over through the center and over the mat back. Cut excess fabric and glue down.
5. Fold the fabric edge over the mat back; glue down. Let dry.
Notes on Fabric Mattes
1. Avoid letting fabric touch the art work – to do this you could –
a. “float” the art work so it avoids contact
b. Place a liner (transfer paper) between the fabric and art
c. Best to use pH neutral fabric
d. If using silk, glue can bleed through easily
e. Wash and iron fabric before use
f. Unbleached muslin is the best
How to make a French Matte
1. When creating a French matte, one can use either inks, paints, or a combination of the two.
2. When using a wire tip pen, ensure the tip stays clean from buildup.
3. Take off the area that you will not be painting but ensure that you only press the tape lightly to ensure that matte does not get damaged when removing the tape
4. Create the desired design using sponges, shaped erasers, brushes, etc.
Notes on French Mattes
1. It is always a good idea to practice your matting design before applying the design to your actual matte for your artwork.
Extra Notes
1. When planning a French Mat, do not be confused by individual colors found in the picture. Do not make water colored band yellow simply because there happens to be a spot of yellow in the picture.
2. The colors used in the French Mat are proportionate to their appearance in the picture. Therefore, a picture that is predominantly green is going to look best with a French Mat that has light green water colored band.
3. Picture framers have different ideas as to the use of color. However, whatever color is used for the major water colored panel should not be of greater intensity than the color it is repeating in the picture.
4. French Matting is an embellishment to a work of art. It can increase the value of the artwork and compensate for the time used in creating it. Properly used, it will never detract from paper-borne art.
See some examples of French Mattes Here
