1. A TUTORIAL FOR SUCCESSFULLY MATTING STUDENT ART
MATTING MANIA!
A TUTORIAL FOR SUCCESSFULLY MATTING STUDENT ART

2. THIS TUTORIAL WILL: PROVIDE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO:
SHOW YOU HOW TO MEASURE FOR THE PROPER SIZE MAT
USE OF TEMPLATES
HOW TO ADHERE WORK AND ADD PROTECTIVE BACKING
GIVING “OOMMPH” TO A MATTED PIECE OF WORK
LABELING WORK – FRONT AND BACK
PROPER POSITION OF LABEL

3. HOW TO MEASURE

4. SIZE COUNTS!!
Art work basically comes in the following sizes: 9x12 12x18 18x24 Typically then, your mats should be: 15x18 24x30

5. However!

6. We are working with poster board which, at its largest size is 22x28
We are working with poster board which, at its largest size is 22x28. Also, we must remember that, should these ever be put into a frame, our frame sizes tend to be: 16x20 18x24 22x28

7. Pre-made templates
This is the quickest and easiest way to mat your student art work IF the piece of work is a standard size as listed in slide 4. Simple trace the template onto a piece of poster board, tracing both the outside and inside dimensions. Then, using a SHARP blade in your utility knife and a straight-edge, carefully cut out the middle portion of the mat. The outside portion can be cut with the utility knife or on a paper cutter. NOTE: If you have a mat cutter, you can line up the metal edge with the drawn line and cut BUT be careful not to over extend the blade or you will cut into the frame area of your mat!

8. Odd-sized art/mat
When a piece of art does not fit the conventional mode, do the following:
Measure the artwork
Subtract ½ to 1inch from the length and width (this will let you know how large your opening is to be and allows you to have ¼ to ½ inch of art work that can be attached underneath the mat without if falling out of the mat.
Add 6 inches to the length and width in order to create a mat that has a 3 inch border.
Example: art work in 6 x 10. Opening will be 5x9 or 5.5x9.9. Overall size of mat (adding 6 inches) will be 11x15 or 11.5x15.5

9. Weighted mat:
A weighted mat is when you need to use a standard size mat (such as 18x24) but the artwork is 12x12. The sides of the mat will measure 3” each, but that leaves the top and bottom at 12” each. Instead, make the top 3” like the sides and let the bottom be larger.

10. Adhering work to mat
Using 1” masking tape, place a small piece at the bottom and top of the artwork, attached to the back of work with a small section hanging off. Lay mat on top of art work, centering over piece and then carefully press down to secure mat to artwork with the tape overhangs Carefully turn artwork and mat over Take additional pieces of tape to further secure corners/edges Lay cut out over work and, using masking tape, tape around entire piece to secure protective backing.

11. Want ‘OOMMPH????”

12. Sometimes, a piece needs a little “oommph” to give it a stronger appearance. This can be done several ways:
Floating the artwork on top of another area
Adding a bold line around the work
Using one or two colors of construction paper or other material behind the work

13. labels
All teachers received PDF file for “Release Forms” . These forms are to be sent home for parent signatures, which allows the District to showcase the student’s work with their name, grade, and school on view for the public to see. The form is to include the name of the school, the art teacher, title of the work, medium used, as well as the student’s name and grade. NOTE: WORK WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO NOT BEING DISPLAYED.

14. Labels - continued
Teachers have also received a file with the format for student labels. This is a file that allows the teacher to TYPE in the appropriate information so that all labels are uniform in appearance throughout the exhibition. Both labels are formatted so the teacher may print as many copies as necessary.

15. Positioning of the labels
Parent release form is to be attached to the BACK of the artwork in the center Label for the FRONT of the work is to be positioned under the window of the work with the right top corner aligned with the bottom right corner of the opening.

16. PREPARED PIECES Name of School & Art Teacher
Once your work is prepared, carefully wrap it in butcher or craft paper or secure it in some form of “satchel” for protection Be sure your package is labeled with your school name on it. Teachers may submit SIX pieces of work. Select ONE of them to go to the Downtown Library and keep it separate from the rest of your student work.
Name of School
&
Art Teacher