Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Gather your materials
Step 2:
Cut two mats to fit the frame
Step 3:
Cut one mat to frame the artwork
Step 4:
Hinge the artwork

2torial #0905:
Learn2 Prepare a Mat for a Picture

Mat-maker, mat-maker, make me a mat

Color schemes, mat sizes, precision cuts, "acid-free" materials--preparing a mat for a picture may seem like a job best left to the pros, but fear not. All it takes is the right tools and a few simple steps. We'll guide you through the measurements and methods that'll rescue your artwork from the land of thumbtacks and help you preserve and display it for years to come. Your art, and your walls, will thank you.

Rule number one is to take it easy. Matting a picture involves some detailed work, and one minor mistake can mean starting the project over. Make sure your measurements are precise, and double-check anything you're unsure about. If you stay organized and move one step at a time, you'll get the results you want.

This 2torial will deal with matting "paper" art--photographs, drawings, prints, posters, watercolors and so on. If you have a work on canvas, you should contact your local frame shop.

Note: It's a good idea to buy your frame before you start matting so you can cut the mat to fit the frame's dimensions. Otherwise, the frame will need to be custom-made, or you'll need to re-cut the mat to make it fit. To pick your frame, see 2torial #0906: Learn2 Frame a Picture.