First published 30 June 2021, updated 11 September 2026
A mat board (or mount) does two jobs: it protects your artwork from touching the glass (which stops moisture damage and mould over time) and it gives the piece some visual breathing room so it doesn't look cramped inside the frame. Most framers fit these for you as standard, but if you've got a mat board on hand and a steady set of hands, you can absolutely cut your own.
Before you grab the blade: this is a satisfying weekend project if you enjoy hands-on work and don't mind a bit of trial and error. It's also unforgiving - one slipped cut and the board is ruined. If that's not how you want to spend your Saturday, skip ahead to how we can cut one for you instead.
What you'll need
- A mat board (museum, conservation, or designer grade, depending on how long you want it to last)
- A precision cutting knife or box cutter, with spare blades - a dull blade is the #1 cause of a ragged edge
- A metal ruler (a plastic or wooden one will get chewed up fast)
- A mat board cutter, if you're attempting an angled bevel edge
- A pencil, for marking measurements
Professional framers use bench cutters or computerised mat cutting equipment to get a perfectly even 45° bevel and no overcuts every time. Doing it by hand gets you close, but expect some imperfection... that's normal, not a sign you've done it wrong.
How to cut a mat board for framing
Measure your artwork: Decide how much border you want the mat to show around the piece - this is largely a visual preference, but 5–7cm all round is a common starting point.
Mark your side borders: Subtract your artwork's width from the mat board's width, then divide by two - that's your left and right border measurement. Mark it lightly in pencil at several points down the board so your ruler line stays straight.
Mark the top and bottom: Same formula, using the height measurements. Many framers make the bottom border slightly larger than the top (5–10mm). It's an old framing trick that stops the image looking like it's "sinking" in the mat once it's hung on a wall.
Cut the outside edges: Line up your metal ruler on the marks and cut with firm, steady pressure - a slow single pass beats several rushed ones. This trims the board down to its finished outer size.
This is where most first attempts go wrong. Cutting the outer edges is fairly forgiving - if it's a few millimetres off, no one will notice because it will be hidden behind the frame rebate. The interior window (next step) is the opposite: it's the part everyone sees, and a wobble, an overcut corner, or an uneven bevel means the mistake sits right in the middle of your frame.
If you'd rather not gamble a good piece of mat board (or your artwork) on getting this one cut right, this is a completely normal point to stop and get it cut by us instead.
Cut the interior window. Mark and cut the opening at least 6mm smaller than your artwork on all sides, so the mat overlaps the edges of the piece and holds it in place without it slipping through. Go slowly, and use a fresh blade - this is not the step to push a blunt one through.
All that’s left is to set the finished mat into your frame and you’re done!
Buy a Pre-Cut Mat
(if you'd rather avoid the risk)
If you've read this far and decided you'd rather not risk a bevel blowout on your one good piece of artwork, that's a completely reasonable call, and it's one we solve for people every day.
Bring your artwork (or just the measurements) into any Frame Today store and we'll cut a mat to size for you on the same professional equipment our framers use for custom orders - a clean, even 45° bevel, acid-free board in whatever colour suits the piece, no wasted offcuts, and no risk to the artwork you're trying to protect in the first place.
What to bring:
- Your artwork, or its exact dimensions
- Your frame, if you already have one you're matting for
- An idea of your preferred mat colour and border width (or ask us - we're happy to advise)
Find your nearest Frame Today store →
Need help with the rest of the frame too?
If you're weighing up a full custom frame instead of just a mat, our team can quote the whole job - frame, glazing, and mat - in one visit. See our custom picture framing services, or browse ready-made frames if your artwork is a standard size.
New customer? Sign up to our newsletter in the footer below and we'll send you a $20 voucher to use in-store - handy whether you end up cutting your own mat or letting us do it for you.
