Picture Mats

Picture mats are the borders around photographs and pictures that keep them held away from the glass in frames. The picture mat serves more than one purpose and there is skill needed when cutting photo mats.

Not only do picture frame mats need to be cut exactly to size, each corner needs to be perfectly square. A guillotine can cut the outside edges of a mat for a picture frame but anyone who has done any craft knows the difficulty in leaning how to cut mats for picture frames with internal corners and keeping the corners perfect.

Scissors don’t rise to the task. A craft knife might if razor sharp and in the hands of a skilled craftsman, but for ease and for low stress framing it can be easier to see a framer because they know how to make picture mats and photo frames to fit the artwork.

When preparing to cut a collage picture mat, remember what sizes is needed for each picture within the collage. Also it is advisable to take into account the subject matter of the photograph or artwork. Does the picture frame mat need to cover the borders? Where does the subject end and what exactly will the mat expose and cover, needs to be worked out in detail before the framer begins to make picture mats.

Free picture mats sometimes come with a ready made frame. These are useful and can do the job. For special work or an effective border for a photo or picture, the framer may want to use custom picture mats. Although not as inexpensive as wholesale picture mats, they can create a personalized framed finish. Wholesale picture frame mats are often paper picture mats. These cheap picture mats are very useful and are often all that is needed to protect a photo from touching the glass.

When deciding on picture frames and mats for or different artworks there is often a need or choice of using more than one mat. The effect of several mats can really lift a picture or give it a sense of dignity. With pastel artwork the extra distance to the glass can offer more protection for the artwork. As with decoupage or quilling or needlework, a thicker mat or several mats built up to keep the artwork away from the glass can offer more protection.

Once the number and size of the mat is decided on, if the craftsman is going to attempt cutting a picture mat, they will need a few tools.
Good light and a cutting board on a cleared table are also useful if not vital to cutting a picture mat successfully.