Using The Mat Cutter

Before you begin cut your mat board to the size of your frame.

Using the mat cutter.

Use an x acto knife and a metal ruler to cut through the mat board. The square ruler s left edge should be near but inside the left edge of the fabric roughly where you will make your square cut. Always cut away from the important part. To make architectural models use the nt 45 degree bevel mat board cutter for straight lines and cut mat boards into 45 degree bevel edges to join the edges together for a neat corner.

Cut the mat board to the size you need. To cut the mat sides repeat the steps described above. Typically i leave a 1 4 on all sides. A video demonstration of the logan 4000 deluxe pull style bevel cutter.

We especially liked the pivot and pull blade coupled with the ergonomic handle making this mat cutter convenient and time saving. Measure the reveal area you want around your art. Line up the crisp folded edge to the bottom of your mat. It consists of a marker bar system that allows faster marking.

The lines in the cutting. Line up the fold with one of the horizontal lines on the cutting mat or if your mat is unlined use a square rotary ruler. Step 1 take your fabric piece and lay it on your cutting mat so the raw edge is on the right side. Logan s 4000 deluxe is the only handheld mat cutter that we have included in this list as it is the company s most advanced handheld mat cutter.

The mat cutter s blade adjusts angles so turn the knob to 90 degrees to cut straight edges. In this case have your ruler on the mat side and cut toward the center. You can also use hard mats these do not self heal but most do not cut easily so the effect maybe the same. Keep cutting light strokes with the ruler until the center comes away and drops out.

Simply measure off 8 inches one way and 10 inches the other. Don t attempt to tug or pull the center away. Place the fabric on the cutting mat fold near the bottom edge side to be squared on the left. Mat board comes in sizes much larger than you ll need so use your dexter mat cutter to cut out an 8 by 10 mat.

A self healing mat is the best as the rotary cutter blades would not damage the mat. Step 2 the first cut will be to the right edge to square up the fabric. Line up your ruler with the folded edge using the lines to make sure it s straight. A rotary cutter can cut fabric pieces with sharp edges and straight edges very easily when used in conjunction with the mat.