Should I Cut Mat Board

Turn the board and cut the second side.

Should i cut mat board.

Typically if you cut 2 3 of your own mats your tools will pay for themselves. Measure the reveal area you want around. You ll be using this mat as the window frame for the front of the picture. I have a 36 x 24 olfa cutting mat that i ve been using for the past three years.

Cut the second mat board to the exact specifications of the first. Learn how to cut mat boards by hand on this page. Place the mat board on top of the back of your frame backing and trace around it with a pencil. It will take two more light cuts to be completely through the board.

If you ve selected a mat of a fanciful color or design it should be the one you use for the window mat as it will be front and center in the frame and complement the. Cut the second window frame mat. The logan mat cutter i use runs about 50 for the guide and cutting handle. It now has grooves worn on the most common lines that i use to cut on those that are 2 5 inches apart.

At first your cut will barely penetrate the mat board. Plus it should also remove any surface stains on the mat. On the second and successive cuts the knife it will fall into the groove you established with the first cut. The hand holding the knife should be relaxed and the knife held loosely.

Cutting mat board the 1st cut is the deepest. Add a solution of cup white vinegar per gallon of cool water and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Before you begin cutting mat board learn what kind of frame matting you should use. I started out cutting mat board with a very cheap handheld mat cutter.

After tracing cut out the section of mat board using your x acto knife or other sharp blade. Except for ink stains those are a little tougher to soak your mat place it in a bathtub or container that is large enough so your mat can lie flat. I now use a full cutting system which has been paid for over and over again not to mention the fact that it saves a lot of time. Before you begin cut your mat board to the size of your frame.

Don t be in so much of a rush to save money that you end up having to buy a new table because you ruined one while cutting your mats. I ve turned the board upside down and worked from the opposite end but the grooves are everywhere now. It s perfect for cutting squares triangles diamonds circles or any shape that requires turning to cut multiple sides. The one piece rotating mat is relatively new to the quilting community it has a non slip stationary bottom layer with an interlocking top cutting mat that rotates 360 degrees.

First things first whenever you re cutting mat board by hand make sure you have a foam board or a self healing cutting mat below the mat you re cutting. Make sure the water is cool.