DIY Network

Mount and Mat Pictures From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-140

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Figure A< < < < Figure B< < < < Figure C< < < < Figure D< < < < Figure E< < < < Figure F< < < < Figure G

Certified professional picture framer Kaye Evans gives a lesson in making your own picture mats.

Materials:

Ruler
Artwork to be framed
Calculator
Pencil and paper
Mat cutter
Utility knife
Adhesive transfer tape (a double-sided tape)
Plastic film canisters with coins stacked inside
Acid-free artist's mounting tape

Cutting the First Mat

1. First calculate the measurements for the matte. Start by measuring the design opening of the artwork--the portion of the picture that includes artistic material without any borders. For this demo the design portion measured 6" by 8".

2. Add 1/4" white border space all around the design.

3. Decide on the width of the mat. A wider matte looks more professional. For this demo the mat was 3" wide. Add up all the measurements. For this demo the measurements were 12 1/2" by 14 3/4". That will be the final frame size.

4. Buy mat board in sheets, and cut it down to size with a utility knife. It's less expensive than buying the exact size you need.

5. Draw lines on the back of the mat where the cuts will be, according to your measurements. Make sure the lines intersect at the corners (figure A).

6. To make the cuts, follow the directions that come with mat-board cutters. Some commercial mat board cutters are very heavy and use a cutting mechanism that can't be removed from the frame. Other at-home devices are lightweight and can be reconfigured by moving the ruler in 1/2" increments into precut slots. Cut all four sides of the mat according to the mat-cutter directions. This is the first mat (figure B).

The Second Mat

1. Cut the second mat slightly smaller than the first. There's no specific recommended amount--just a little smaller. Apply adhesive transfer tape to the back of the first mat, and place the second matte on the back of the first. Press the two together.

2. Mark the lines on the back of the second mat where the cuts will be made--1/4" from the cuts on the first mat. Be sure the corner lines intersect. Move the ruler on the mat cutter to reflect the new cutting distance. In this case it was the 3" mark. Make the mat cuts (figure C).

3. To mount the artwork, place it on a piece of mat board or other board. Place the cut double mat over the top, positioning the artwork correctly in the opening. Hold the artwork in position by placing on top of it two plastic film canisters filled with coins.

4. Remove the mat, and place a piece of acid-free tape on each of the upper corners of the artwork, sticky side up, attaching the tape to the artwork (figure D). Don't tape all four corners. The artwork needs to hang freely under the mat to prevent crinkles.

5. Place a piece of acid-free tape over the top of each of the corner pieces of tape, perpendicular to the first pieces and parallel to the top of the artwork. Place the tape close to the top edge of the artwork (figure E).

6. Fold the tops of the first pieces of tape down over the second pieces of tape, creating a hinge (figure F).

7. Place the mat upside down on the work surface, with the upper edge of the artwork board butted against the upper edge of the mat. Place a piece of framer's tape along the entire edge where they join, with half the width of the tape on the mat-board piece and half on the artwork board, creating a hinge. Flip the mat board over the top of the artwork (figure G).