Tips & Tricks
For framing related questions and advice, explore our answers and suggestions to maximize your experience with us.
How To Measure For Custom-Cut Mats
Three measurements define a mat: window opening size, mat border widths (for each side), and total outside mat size.
Step 1: Determine Window Opening Size
- • Measure the exact width and height of your art or photo to the nearest 1/8".
- • Subtract 1/4" from each dimension (this leaves 1/8" overlap on each side to hold your art in place!)
- • Example: for an 8" x 10" piece, window opening size is 7 3/4" x 9 3/4"
Step 2: Determine Border Widths and Total Outside Mat Size
- • Choose border width for all four borders
- • For each dimension, add together the two border widths plus the width of the window opening. The sums for each dimension make up the total outside mat measurements.
- • Example: a 4" x 4" window opening with 2" borders on all sides will have a total outside mat size of 8" x 8"
- • The total outside mat size is the size of the frame you'll need, as well as the outside mat size of any additional mats.
Step 3: (Optional) Adding Additional Mats
- • Choose the offset (how much of the mat beneath you want showing) for each side. The border width for the second mat, minus the offset, is the border width of the top mat. Repeat for each side.
- • Window opening size is total outside width, minus both mat border widths, for each dimension.
G" x H" = window opening size
C, D, E and F are mat border widths
A" x B" = total outside mat size
__" + __" + __" = __"
D G E A
__" + __" + __" = __"
C H F B
