Matting
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Mat Cutting Worksheet-Use this worksheet to calculate your mat size and border widths. |
Instructions
Each student in Printmaking I, II or III must mat at least one print.
Make a mat that has at least 3” around the picture on the top and both sides, and 4” on the bottom. Usually, there’s about ¼” around the picture, but sometimes the mat comes inside the picture 1/4”.
Rules about matting
The job of the mat is to protect and isolate the artwork. If you don’t use a mat, the artwork, if unframed, cannot be easily and safely handled. If framed without a mat, the work is pressed against the glass, which also damages the artwork. Fine art mat is almost always white, off-white or gray. Other colors are not neutral and change the color balance of the image. Don’t pick a green mat to “accent” your art. Put the accent in the art itself, and make the mat neutral.
Cheap mat has a yellowish core that is acidic and ugly. Avoid this mat whenever budget allows, and use museum quality mat instead. Acid causes paper to deteriorate prematurely.
Take your time and use new sharp blades. You cannot cut mats with dull blades. You’ll just get frustrated and ruin a lot of mat. Wash your hands and work only on the clean table. Put your coffee somewhere far away from your artwork. Pay attention.