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There are several methods to consider when cutting a mat for your photographs or works of art. Cutting a mat is generally preferable to purchasing a precut mat because you have greater customization and it is generally cheaper.

The simplest way to do this is with an X-Acto knife and a ruler. Using the ruler to measure and keep the straight line, you can produce professional results at minimal cost. It’s a great way to get your feet wet, but you will then want to graduate to a mat cutter.

A simple handheld mat cutter will have a blade at a 45-degree angle for a beveled cut to your mat. Measure and mark the mat as you already have done before and use your ruler again for the straight edge. It takes a little practice, but the results are even better than the X-Acto knife.

If you decide to do mat cutting on a regular basis, or want to do even more sophisticated cuts, consider getting a tabletop mat cutter. Tabletop cutters have guides attached to them, so you don’t have to use your ruler anymore. In addition, most have some form of mat holder that keeps the mat in place, so you do not have to worry about keeping it in place. This speeds up cutting exponentially.

Mat cutting is an art that needs to be practiced. Start small, and work your way up. Your works of art will be complemented by the mats that you can create.