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Matting Techniques

Matting techniques for photos or certificates enhance the framed or scrapbook product. Certificate frames often come with a mat to draw attention to the certificate. You can apply matting techniques for photos to scrapbooking with smaller pictures as well as to framed pictures of virtually any size. You can personalize matting with anything you desire to demonstrate your creativity.

Traditional Matting in Frames
- Framing mats fit the larger size of the frame but have a center cutout to match the size of the picture you're framing.
  
  Traditional picture matting techniques involve a thick piece of card stock, with the center cut out to reveal the portrait. Select a frame larger than the size of the desired photo, and choose a mat or card stock the same size as the frame. If the mat is precut, then the center opening will be the size of the photo; if the mat is not precut, then carefully cut it with a utility knife to the size of the photo. When assembling the frame, place the mat directly behind the glass, and tape the photo, with acid-free tape, to the proper position at the back of the mat.
Customizing Frame Mats
- Customize the mat before inserting it into the frame with the photo.
  
  Purchasing a frame with mat does not mean you cannot change the mat. You can customize the mat. Select the frame with mat in the necessary size for the photo. Remove the mat and decorate or customize it using scrapbook stickers, paint, glitter or in other creative ways. If you're painting the mat, then apply a spray-on or brush-on sealant once the paint has dried to protect from chipping or discoloration. If you're gluing fabric over the mat, then cut the fabric, leaving a 1/2-inch edge on the outer and inner edges to allow the fabric to wrap around and be glued to the back.
Creative Matting Techniques
- You can use colorful ribbon, woven strips of paper, dried and pressed flowers and other items to build a mat without the mat board.
  
  Many creative matting techniques are at your disposal. Choose a frame slightly larger than the photo, and select a piece of plain or colored card stock that fits the frame. Attach the photo to the card stock with acid-free tape on the back of the photo; the card stock goes behind the photo. Use decorative items to "build" a mat around the photo, such as pressed wild flowers, cut-outs from holiday cards or wedding invitations or braided strands of ribbon; or design a mat by interweaving strips of colored card stock or scrapbook paper.
Scrapbook Matting Techniques
- For scrapbooking, matting techniques often involve colored card stock cut into designs that extend slightly larger than the photos.
  
  Scrapbook matting is slightly different than that for framing. One matting technique for scrapbooking is to attach photo corners to the corners of the photo, and stick in the scrapbook; photo corners are often self-adhesive. For more creative displays, cut colored card stock into rectangles or shapes slightly larger than the photos; attach the photos with acid-free tape to the card stock. The card stock goes behind the photos but produces the appearance of an overlaying mat. You can cut the corners with scrapbook cutters to create fancy designs.

Photography