Professional Presentation Techniques: 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: 

• Each student is allotted 10 full sheets (32x40") of white mat board and 10 full sheets of foam core. Mat board is to be used for the front, to cut your window. The foam core is to be used for the backs of your hinged mats. 
• **** If you are printing on the smaller scale, and you do not anticipate going over 10 full sheets of mat board, you can use the mat board for your backs as well. It is up to your discretion, and how much you think you will need. ***

*** Oh, and make sure you get your cards punched! This helps us keep track of inventory. How much we have left, how much we went through, and how much to allocate for next semester.***