Picture mat can help protect your delicate pieces of artwork and create an attractive boarder. You can cut the mat into all sorts of shapes to create varying boarders ranging from basic shapes to highly decorative boarders. When you put the picture --- framed in a mat --- inside a frame, the mat keeps the artwork separate from the glass. Ensure you are ready to place the artwork onto the mat before you do because it will be difficult to remove afterward.
Instructions
1. Cut two pieces of mat board 2 inches wider than your artwork on all sides. On one of the pieces of mat board, draw a light pencil line on all four sides that is a half-inch smaller than your artwork. Cut out the middle of this mat board with a craft knife.
2. Place the cut piece of mat board on top of the whole one. Lightly trace around the inside of the cut section and onto the surface of the whole board.
3. Lay out newspapers on a flat surface. Set the uncut piece of mat board on the newspapers and lightly spray it with adhesive. Center your artwork over the pencil mark square so all sides of the artwork overlap the tracing by a half-inch and press it firmly in place to avoid bubbling.
4. Lay down a second set of newspapers on a work surface. Set the cut piece of mat board face down on the newspapers and spray it with adhesive.
5. Hold the cut piece of mat board over the artwork so that the mat board overlaps each side of the artwork by a half-inch. Press the cut mat board firmly in place over the artwork. Run your hands over the mat board to avoid bubbles or wrinkles.
