Mat Cutting 101

Mat Cutting Resources:

Below are instructions from my Photo I handout for positioning a print for mounting using the "golden mean" method. Basically, this method helps determine the lower-right corner at which to dry mount the print or cut a window. I think this produces a placement that some refer to as the "optical center." If you're going to cut a window, use the size of the image only instead of the size of the entire print as shown in the diagram.

MEASURING THE GOLDEN MEAN

According to the golden mean, a print is always mounted centered on the sides and slightly higher than center from top to bottom.

1. Lay print on mount board in upper left corner.
2. Line A-B is a measurement of one-half the distance between the print and the lower edge of the mount board.
3. Line C-D is a measurement of one-half the distance between the print and the lower edge of the mount board.
4. Point E is the lower-left corner where the edge of the print meets the mount board.
5. Point F is the intersection of lines E-D and A-B, and is then the position of the lower-right corner of the print when placed and mounted on the mount board.
6. A T-square is necessary to accomplish this mounting procedure with minimum time and maximum ease. A mechanical pencil is also nice, and dustless eraser to remove any marks from mat. Markings for dry mounting print are made on the front of the mad board; markings for cutting windows in overmats are made on the back of board.

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.

• 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:

• A good rule of thumb is a minimum border, meaning no less than that of 2" on top, left, and right, with 3" on the bottom.