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The DIY Matting thread.
Supplies:
Basic supplies that you buy once:Basic supplies you buy for each mat:
- mat cutter
- cutter guide
- 45º cutter (for the opening)
- 90º cutter (to cut to size)
- Eraser (to clean the mat when done, this will remove any scuffs/smudges/fingerprints)
- T-square ruler to draw straight lines (a sheet rock square would honestly work here).
- a centering rules is awesome if you're bad at math, not needed but a huge help and makes everything MUCH faster
- white cotton gloves (no as crucial if the print is mat/lustre finished)
Here's a shot of 3 of my images framed above my TV:
- mat board (archival?) I buy 30" x 42" boards and cut to size.
- foam core (archival?) I buy 30" x 42" boards and cut to size.
- frame (or at least the INTERIOR size so you know how big the mat needs to be)
- archival tape (you can skip archival elsewhere, but make sure the tape is, I but what looks like black masking tape [like the blue painters tape, but in black])
- spray adhesive?
- fresh/new blades for the cutter (If I'm selling the print, new blade for every other mat (you can use each one twice by flipping it)
- pencil to measure where to cut
http://www.benjacobsen.com/wp-conten...r/IMG_3246.jpg
those are black "gallery" frame, then white matte board with black core so it leaves a tiny black line next to the image where you see the exposed core on the bevel cut. Looks really good IMHO. They also make black matte with bright white core or the standard off white (creamy) if you want to reverse the colors. See if you have any sort of art supply store near you as they should have EVERYTHING you need, matte board, foam core, frames, cutters, everything. I know Micheal's and A.C. Moore both do, but with limited frames and matte board. I go to Jerry's Art O Rama because it's local and has an excellent selection. The hard part for me is the 18" x 24" frame because that's not a standard size, but it's my preferred size (I'm a 2:3 whore).
Links:
links are to Jerry's Art O rama. They were a local no name store for me and it's where I get my stuff. They were bought out by Jerry's who is a chain and has good online prices. Feel free to find this stuff elsewhere and I have zero affiliation with them. It's just one option.
Here's Jerry's matte cutting section (all options):
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discou...art-supplies/3
here is the exact unit I have ($109 with both 90º and 45º cutters, PITA for halving 32" x 40" sheets, but I'll live with it):
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su.../0045843000000
If I ever have a dedicated space, I'll upgrade to one of these 2:
same thing with a 40" cutter ($149):
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su.../0048550000000
60" cutter with a 90º rail at the bottom to help make sure your cuts are square ($299):
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su.../0051632000000
these are the 18" x 24" frames I buy:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su.../0071538000000
B&H carries logan cutters but I'm not finding my unit there. I would recommend this book if you're considering this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ting_Book.html
from there you need mat board and foam core and a frame. Some tape and an eraser will get you started. Expect to throw out the first few attempts. Buy a 32" x 40" sheet of both Foam Core and Mat Board and try some small prints (matte 4" x 6"s in a small mat for practice) until you get the hang of it. Measure twice cut once. Once you've got the hang of it you can have some fun... I did two 9 image 3x3 arrays with 4" x 6"s for my parents last winter... It took an hour or so to layout and cut each one but they look awesome.
Process:
Here's the basic steps:Process with pics:
- Cut mat to exterior dimensions needed
- cut core to exterior dimensions needed
- draw out what you're cutting
- measure it out
- draw it out with the T-square
- lay the print on the "hole" and make sure it's right
- double check that last step... (I sucks wrecking mat)
- cut with the cutter in the box (ie the "edge" goes under the "rail", the "window" is at the edge of the "rail" and the cutter sits INSIDE the window while cutting
- place the foam core face up towards you
- lay the cut mat above it so the top edges are touching with the "insides" both up (like a sandwich)
- tape the top edges together so it's a hinge (with the black archival masking tape)
- put the image on the mat where you think it goes
- close the sandwich on the print
- adjust the print (I wear white cotton gloves for this part)
- hold the print in place with your hand in the window
- open the mat
- once the window is "up" hold the print with your hand on the other side
- fasten the print to the foam (this depends on how you're doing it)
- if taping, tape the edges
- if spray adhesive, tape one edge, fold it back spray, then roll it into place
- if stuck on another board already, tape that board to the foam core, then put in some scrap of the same thickness around the edges so the front mat doesn't get bent
- of those options, the lowest is best. Depending on print size you can get away with taping (under 8x10/12 no problem, 8x10/12 is where you start to need better, see what you like)
- close the sandwich again to make sure the print is straight
- open again
- put double sided tape where ever the mat will touch the foam core (if I'm doing these for me, then I'll make tape loops wit the black archival tape so it will come apart easier, if I'm selling/gifting it, I use double sided tape, but you wreck the mat taking them apart)
- close the mat on the foam and press hard at the edges to make sure it's bonded well (use gloves if you have them)
- use an eraser to make sure the mat is clean
- sign and date it
- profit?
Measure and cut mat to size of frame (frame can be seen against the wall behind me):
cutting mat to size:
somehow we're missing all the measure mat "window" and cut "window" steps, as well as the assemble the 2 halves.....
this is how the mat should look once assembled with it's too parts. You can also see my black tape, and eraser.
layout newspaper before spraying adhesive. You can also see how the 2 halves are attached here with tape.
after you've lined up the photo with the mat, tape the top edge in the center and the sides (we did the first one with just the center, and it had 1 wrinkle and 1 bubble). Then spray the adhesive under the print. Also not the glove for moving/adjusting the print w/o getting finger prints all over it:
I use a poster tube to roll the print onto the spray adhesive w/o getting bubbles:
continued:
flop the top half down for a look see (if it's going into a frame, I don't tape the 2 halves together, if it's going to be displayed as just a mat, double sided tape will stick them together nicely):
finished product:
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by jacobsen1
Now I am glad I did not find some one and ask them where I could find it. 
and most importantly risking getting residue on the TV.
Epson makes the paper if you're printing at home though. Because of that sometimes I'll goto whatever print size is next after 12x18 so I have a border but that can get expensive. It depends on how poor I am honestly. If I'm printing for a customer I ALWAYS print one size up and add a small black edge (~1/8"?) then white for another inch.
