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    Calculating Border Sizes - Sam Cook

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    hompf
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    Calculating Border Sizes - Sam Cook

    Uploaded by

    hompf
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    five

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    five

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    13 views2 pages

    Calculating Border Sizes - Sam Cook

    Uploaded by

    hompf
    five

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Calculating Border Sizes

    Knowing what size to cut your mat borders to is a mystery to some first
    time framers. But in reality a perfectly cut mat that proportionately surrounds your artwork can be done
    without needing a degree in physics. Unless you happen to own a $50,000 computer programmed,
    automated mat cutter, some simple mat skills are still required when figuring border sizes of mats. But
    don't worry, it's not that difficult. The following show the steps on how to measure your artwork, decide
    on the overall mat size, and identifying each of the border widths.

    1. Measure your artwork

    Use a reliable ruler and measure both the left to right and top to bottom dimensions of your picture.
    Measure exactly at the edges from where you want to the image to show through the mat. In this
    example the overall photo size is 8-1/2" x 10-1/2" (21.6cm x 26.7cm) but the actual image size
    measures to exactly 8" x 10" (20.3cm x 25.4cm). This tells you that the opening of your mat needs to
    be 8" x 10" (20.3cm x 25.4cm).

    2. Decide what frame size to use


    An average border size for mats is from 1-1/2" (3.8cm) to 3" (7.6cm) so deciding what frame size to
    use can be easy. Add three to five inches to the outside dimension of the photo to see what the closest
    standard frame size to use would be. Example, your photo size 8" x 10" (20.3cm x 25.4cm) so add
    three inches to these numbers and you get 11" x 14" (28cm x 35.6cm) which is a standard frame size.
    To figure out what the border sizes for this mat would be simply subtract each dimension of the photo
    size from the frame size and divide by two. Example: 11" - 8" = 3" (28cm - 20.3cm = 7.7cm). Divide
    3" (7.7cm) by two which leaves 1-1/2" (3.8cm) to be used as the left and right mat border. Use the
    same steps to find out the top and bottom border.
    3. Put it all together

    This project consisted of a photo with an image size of 8" x 10" (20.3cm x 25.4cm) that was placed into
    an 11" x 14" (28cm x 35.6cm) frame. It used 1-1/2" (3.8cm) borders on the right and left and 2" (5cm)
    borders at the top and bottom. Now all that’s left is to attach the photo into the back of the mat and pick
    out a nice 11" x 14" (28cm x 35.6cm) frame to finish your piece and hang it on the wall.

    Standard U.S. Frame Sizes:


    4"x5"
    4"x6"
    6"x8"
    5"x7"
    8"x10"
    8"x12"
    8-1/2"x11"
    9"x12"
    10"x13"
    11"x14"
    12"x16"
    14"x18"
    16"x20"
    20"x24"
    22"x28"
    24"x30"
    24"x36"
    30"x40"

    Framers Corner, Tel: 01530 516925


    Cedar Court, Fax: 01530 516929
    Walker Road, Email mailto:sales@framerscorner.co.uk
    Hilltop Industrial Estate, Website: http://www.framerscorner.co.uk/
    Bardon, Leicestershire,
    LE67 1TU

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