Tricks and tips for the novice picture framer.

One would like, when started in picture framing, do not make mistakes and know all the tricks devised to facilitate the work ... So here, in a jumble , some tips for beginners: How to cut cardboard,How to cut carboard square, how to paper case, how to put a hanging-ring...

Cutting cardboard with angled cutter or 45 ° tool

As the paperboard is easily cut, as when starting framing, it is difficult to cut thick cardboard (2 to 3mm).

We always want to go too quickly and we press too extremely on the cutting tool ... Inevitably, the blade deflects and the cut is not very clear and is also inaccurate. To obtain a poor result, we must then sand the cut with sandpaper ... This is a stopgap that you can prevent!

Remember that for properly cut thick cardboard with the angled cutter, you must first position the heavy rule (which does not move during cutting) at the right place. For some rules (MAPED) the cutting edge is flat steel which will ensure proper position of the blade.

Then you must press on a regular and moderate manner on the tool ... Do not force! Try, whenever possible, to cut by pulling the cutter toward you, it will be easier to control. Also keep your knife right: do not lean left or right!

It will be necessary to pass several times the blade to complete the cardboard cut , but you will obtain a straight and without unsightly smudges cut.

If you work with the rule MAPED and the 45° cutting tool , for example, to open a English bevel ein a mat... first check the installation of your blade. Unlike the simple cutter blades, the 45° blade has a bevel only one side: Place this blade in the tool so that its bevel is apparent!

Place the tool in the slide, set the rule to cut by pulling toward you and make your cut several times by pressing slightly.

If you cut an English bevel in thick cardboard, do not hesitate to exceed the angles of 5mm: the marks of cutter will be then masked during the paper-casing of the bevel..

Paper-casing of an outside corner

We sometimes need to paper-case an outside corner ... and if we cut the flaps starting this corner without taking account the board thickness, the following will happen:

The flaps are not contiguous side face ... this is not usually the most serious ... but in addition, part of the angle is not cased (we see the cardboard) and that, it shows!

So to avoid this, we must make a special small cut in the corner ... ie leave a small flap folding of the board thickness. Once in place, this little flap completely mask the corner ...

Start by gluing and fold the rolled-edged (1) ... Glue the small flap (3) and fold it on the edge of your cardboard.

It'll just glue and fold the second flap (3) ... the folder-tool help you ... your angle is perfect and the rolled-edged sides face are contiguous.

paper-casing the inside corner of a right bevel

Both the English bevel is easy to cover ... as paper-casing of the right bevel is more difficult: often, one can see the cardboard at the junction of the dressing bands ...

With the following technique, you will never meet this problem : the same way as in the paper-casing of an outside corner, the trick lies in creating a small flap which will be folded up on the angle and will thus mask the joint of the bands.

Take the example of a straight bevel cut in a cardboard box of 3mm. Cut in the casing paper somes strips 3cm wide (50cm wide reglet generally serves as a template for cutting).

With the back of your blade cutter, mark, to fold after a line 1.5 cm from the edge and a second to 1.8 cm (3mm below). With the cutter, now cut one end as shown in the photo (using the square with 45 ° angle).

click to enlarge

Approach the band bevel and mark with a pencil its end ... Repeat the same flap at the end. Paste your band prepared.

Make the same band for the opposite side and place it. Build now 2 other bands for the last two sides ... but without leg this time. Put them in place ... Your inside corners are perfectly dressed!

Cut the cardboard square ...

The sheets of thick cardboard that can be purchased in supply stores or framing shops are 32x40 or 40x60... They are approximately "square" and it is up to you to cut the sheets to get "true" square angles.

In fact, if you do not work rigorously, your stacks of mat and bevels do not assemble properly and lag it will follow that will damage the aesthetics of your matting. Therefore "square" your panels when you use them.

The mathematical principle that we use is that if a mat has 3 right angles, then the last corner is necessarily right. Take for example the square cutting of a backing cardboard 32cm of 26 ...

In the sheet of 3mm cardboard, first do the first cut with the angular cutter and the heavy ruler.

Apply now the heavy ruler againt this cut, put the square against the ruler and draw with a pencil the first perpendicular side. Cut with the cutter and the heavy ruler along this line to get your first right angle.

Along this cut, now measure the size of your backing ... 32cm and mark the length.

Put teh square against the mark ... Draw a line then cut: you have 2 right angles!

Measure your second dimension of 26cm along the last cut, mark, place the square, draw and cut ... Third right angle! Your backing cardboard is now perfectly square ... and reassure you: it takes longer to explain than done!

How to put a ring to hang the frame

Of course, there are adhesives rings that perfectly fulfill their role ... they stick to the back of the backing and voila!

But the picture framer tradition is to put by him self his suspension rings ... which, in practice, prove to be much stronger. So here's how.

You need a ring and 6cm of ribbon braid (there is a special ribbon but not essential). On the cardboard background, go to 4cm from the top edge, calculate the balance and made a point of reference.

Depending on the width of your ribbon open a slot with the cutter. Spread the ribbon in the ring and, with the back of the cutter, slip the ribbon in the slot.

Turn over the work and overwrite the tape against the cardboard. With the tip of the cutter, mark the location of the ribbon and then hollow out the cardboard to create a groove.

Glue the groove, apply the ribbon and press strongly. Cover with 2 pieces adhesive kraft in cross.

It is certain that this ring will not move here !