How do you mat your photos?

Im just curious what other people use to mat their pictures. I currently eyeball it using a cutter. But I am hoping that there is a fool proof way to make sure you have all edges the same.

Thanks for the advice

I just eyeball mine. My motto is, if it "looks" straight and square, then it IS.

You could measure.
Or use the magic matter tool. They are little metal disks, in different sizes, that you use to trace around your element, to get that size all the way around. {I checked the superstore here, and didn't see them. A friend has them. They've been around for a long time.}

All too much work for me.

I just stick the pic on the the paper and cut it by hand.

Eyeball mine too! I hate to measure lol!

I measure the photo and then make the mating bigger than the picture (i.e. 1/4 or 1/2"). I then eyeball the placement on the mat.

I just eyeball it .. sometimes I measure it and add a 1/4.. but I'm not patient enough to do that all the time! Eyeball method is fast!!!

Im not to good of an eyeballer..lol. The ones I have done look pretty good, I was just hoping there was a super simple tool.

Thanks everyone!

Eyeballing accuracy takes practice, so do keep trying. It's the fastest way to matte, besides buying matte stacks, and who wants to spend the extra money on that?

You could buy mat stacks.

I glue the photo onto the mat and then trim the mat, using the guides on my paper cutter to keep everything straight and even.

fool proof ways to get even mats

1) I vaugely remember hearing about some "old school" scrapbooking tool/guides that you would line up on the photo and then it would cut the mat around the photo to the exact same size. But I never knew the details. It was some kind of triming guide/cutter that produced even mats 1/8", 1/4" etc. Maybe it was just a giant ruler or template.

2) and I vaugely remember seeing on a scrapbook show some way that you slide your paper and photo under a guide on a paper cutter and it would stop on the photo edge thereby cutting the mat portion to the exact same size each time as you rotated the photo. But again I never got the exact details.

both of these things are triming the mat portion evenly after you have glued the photo to middle of the cardstock. I wish I knew more ... these may even be the same thing.

I usually eyeball it, but also when trimming with my papercutter, if I push it under the bar that holds it to cut, there's a little "lip" that holds it just about 1/4". and if you do this on all 4 sides they'll be evenly cut. Hope you understand my explanation!

• ASiverson Said:

what brand papercutter is this?

• Gelidy Gelato Said:

This may be the Magic Matter. You use the disks to trace around the edge and then cut by hand.

It's especially good for irregular shaped objects (like a flower).

The trimmer I'm using currently is Tonic Studio's paper cutter, but it was also possible to do this with my older fiskars cutter.

You can also measure easily and accurately with the Purple Cows 2 in 1.

I have a set of those magic matters..I hate them!! The slip up over the picture and then you write on the paper your using for the mat, it's hard to get around the corners. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give 'em a minus 5!!

Just learn to eyeball.

I stick my pic on to the corner of the cardstock, in the corner with the sight size of border that I want around the 2 edges, then I use my cutter and trim off the other two edges to the same width.

• SuperAllyFan Said:

me too!

• kuzatab Said:

same here!

Another eyeballer here!

• Gelidy Gelato Said:

I do this too with my Fiscars and my Cricut paper trimmer

I just use my paper trimmer and place the pic on top to make sure I get it right where I want it and trimm so there is a boarder around it! Then glue it to the paper for my matting.

I stick the photo the the cardstock with herma squares, then use the left lip of the cutter's ruler flush with the photo, and cut on my fiskars trimmer on all 4 sides, and it gives me approximately 1/4 inch all the way around. Since the photo is square, unless it was cropped crooked, this method will make sure the mat come out square even if the piece I'm using is a scrap.

I use the Perfect Layers rulers. They are like rulers (but no measurements) that come in a set of 3. Each ruler has a different-sized lip on each edge (10 sizes ranging from 1/8" - 1 "). You adhere your photo to your mat, butt the ruler up against the photo (catching on the lip), then use a craft knife to trim off the excess. After you've done this with the 4 sides of your photo/mat you have a centered picture on the mat.

I find it easiest to stand while I'm trimming. If I sit, I don't always have good control & the ruler can slip & you end up with a crooked cut. I also like to use the Fiskar's fingertip craft knife for better control of the craft knife.

As far as I know, the only place to currently get Perfect Layers is through the Home Shopping Network (or E...)

• melissadam Said:

Me three!!!!!

Perfect Layers is a must!! I can't scrap without mine. You can easily cut multiple layered mats. I got mine from QVC but I don't think they have them anyone. Stampin Up also used to sell them.

I just eye ball it using my bypass trimmer.. Works so far!!

• ASiverson Said:

i have the original fiskars and that i what i do

I love my Perfect Layers - you can't mess it up!!

Kathy

Another fan of Perfect Layers here! Makes it soooooo easy.

I mat two ways. I glue the pic to the mat paper and use my fiskars to cut the four sides of the paper evenly. Or, if my hubby is around to help, we use a computer program called paint shop to actually put a colored border around the pictures. I love how perfect they come out although mating without the computer adds a lot more textured feeling to the page.

I have Perfect Layers but I have never used them. I think I will give them a try next time I want to Mat.

• CorrieW Said:

Pretty much what I do... I have an orginal fiskers trimmer and I use the rulers on it it's pretty easy. I eyeball the photo when I stick it on.

Oh but I by mat stacks all the time... I'm addicted. They are great for cutting titles with circut too.

• Bxr-Linda Said:

I've got one even older than that! It came with 4 circles versus three.

I never go without my Perfect Layers. It's so EASY!

I don't have the Magic Matter, but my friend does. I'm sure hers has 4 disks too.

• CommaHolly Said:

Me four!!!

They are selling Perfect Layers on HSN today.

I could not scrap without Perfect Layers!! They are wonderful. I stand to do this too. WONDERFUL product

I do the math. I used to work in a frameshop, so this is easier for me and satisfies my anal eye. I measure my photo and decide on how much of the mat I want to show. If I want an 1/8" then I double it all the way around and cut my cardstock 1/4" larger than my photo. If I want 1/4" then I cut my cardstock 1/2" larger, etc. Somewhere I have a magic matter, but I can't find it. When I could find it I used it for shapes that weren't rectangle or square. I eyeball those odd shapes or go without.

Ann

Eyeball it usually.

Often times I am scrimping to stretch my paper and I will just cut a frame out that is slightly larger than the picture and then glue it on.

That way you have all the middle part (4x6 or whatever size your picture is.) of the paper left unused. It really is a good idea to stretch your paper when you realized you only bought one sheet or you are running out and want to finish that layout RIGHT NOW as I do.

I've got several clear quilting rulers that I use to cut the mat and to line up the photo. I also use it when adding my pics to the page. You can find them at craft stores in the sewing section and if you watch for sales they're a really good investment imo.

• TiggerPooh2380 Said:

I buy the mat stacks and I LOVE them. I usually buy several of them because I mat all my pics. I then punch out the centers before I mat the photo on it, and then I have circles and squares to use too!
If you would like an example of what I mean, send me a message! Thanks!

Another Perfect Layers user here. My set only has two rulers. I bought mine a long time ago. It's a 'must have' tool in my stash.

Use Perfect Layers Tool. Bought mine at qvc but now it's available at hsn. Love this tool!!! Use it all the time for perfect borders-no measuring or eyeballing. It's my most used tool.

Cheryl

Bought Perfect Layers years ago when it came with two rulers. I just used them for the first time yesterday.

• melissadam Said:

Me three!

I totally eyeball...I like my pages to LOOK handmade and not pre-fab so imperfections (like not an exact matting of pics) is great for me!

Depending on whether I want a wide mat or a narrow mat I usually measure my picture and then cut the mat 1/2" or 1/4" wider than the picture. For 4"x6" some one here mentioned before cutting your mat at 4"x6" and then cutting your picture down by 1/4" or 1/2". By doing this one 12"x12" piece of paper will give you 6 mats.

I guess I'm the oddball here. I've repurposed my quilting ruler and rotary cutter.