Minimum Mat Width on manual mat cutter?

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
This is my promise to myself:

"I will not cut a mat to less than 1" ever again"
Repeat...
Repeat...

What a pain in the you know what... I can't believe I did this for a walk-in customer - thankfully she wasn't waiting while I did it to hear my numerous outbursts!!!

What is your minimum!!??!

Roz
 
Why not cut the matbd 2 inches bigger, cut a 2-inch mat margin, and then trim the outsides one inch, resulting in 1-inch mat margins?

I have one that insists on 1/2" and 3/4" margins....that's how I deal with it.
shutup.gif
 
I can do a half inch, but I charge extra.

I do tell the customer that a mat less than one inch wide can warp over time, and curve inward. It's true, too! (just doesn't happen very often, until you get down to a half inch.)
 
I had a lady come in on Tuesday and wanted a half inch mat top and bottom and a 3/8 on the sides! I asked why such a measurement and she told me that her boss built a frame for somebody who had a canvas that she wanted framed. She gave the measurements to this gal's boss and he went ahead and built some kind of wood frame without even checking the measurements!

First of all, I told her that you don't normally mat original art on canvas.

Secondly, I told her that a mat that small will hardly show in the frame with the amount that will be covered by the rabbet.

And thirdly, I told her that she would have to pay $25 for this mat, it was some odd size around a 10x12. I suggested that she go back and tell her boss what I said before I cut the mat because it was not refundable if he didn't like the narrow cut.

She brought back the frame and told me that he would settle for a half inch all the way around. The reason for the odd size and narrow mat was the woman's measurements were off and he built the frame slightly too large. So he spray glued the canvas down to a piece of masonite to fit the frame and he was lacking a half inch top and bottom for a fit.

I cut the mat, took her money and had her sign a disclaimer on the mat.

She left happy.

I think if the truth were known it was HER canvas and it was HER husband who built the frame without knowing what the heck he was doing.

Framerguy
 
Originally posted by Val:
Why not cut the matbd 2 inches bigger, cut a 2-inch mat margin, and then trim the outsides one inch, resulting in 1-inch mat margins?

I have one that insists on 1/2" and 3/4" margins....that's how I deal with it.
shutup.gif
And of course charge for the larger size mat and the extra work involved.
 
What kind of manual matcutters do y'all have?? I can cut a 3/8" mat on my Keeton with no problems at all! Sometimes I make them even narrower to use as spacers.

What is the problem???

Are we talking aesthetics or mechanics???
 
1/2". Nothing smaller. Not a big problem on my cutter.
 
I've cut 1/4" inlays on an F2100 (anything less, you leave too little structure around the corners). The reverse bevel around the outside of the 1/4" strip is not harmful - it's the same way that my Wizard cuts the outside of mats.
This is a fast and easy way to accomplish Val's recommendation. I also used this method for spacers before I found those 1/16" spacers.

Pat :D
 
Originally posted by Framar:
What kind of manual matcutters do y'all have?? I can cut a 3/8" mat on my Keeton with no problems at all! Sometimes I make them even narrower to use as spacers.

What is the problem???

Are we talking aesthetics or mechanics???
Mar... Both!!! But the main thing is the mat board can slide a bit and then I have to recut it!!

Val - Good idea - I had actually thought that while I was on my way home last night - duh!!! Would make it much more manageable!!

Thanks y'all,

Roz
 
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