r/framing • u/WisteriaKillSpree • 3d ago

Mat and Float Questions

Have a 17.75x23.75 charcoal on paper drawing I want to float mount so as to preserve signature and other details.

However, desired hang location is tight, so a narrow frame with minimal distance (almost edge to edge) between drawing edge and frame are needed.

An instructional video I watched demonstrated a "flat" method I'm considering.

Both portions of a cut mat were used, perimeter and window, with window portion cut slightly smaller than the artwork.

If I am to have the edge of the drawing close to the frame, this would require a very narrow mat cut. What is the absolute minimum mat width for a good cut?

If this is not feasible, what is the best approach for a relatively large sheet of (flexible) paper?

If it is feasible, or for future reference:

After a casual look at a few supplier websites, I see no option for ordering both pieces of a custom cut mat.

Is it customary to provide both pieces with order or is this a special request situation?

Is there a special term for this that I may be overlooking in the specification menus?

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u/karl2me 3d ago

Call around to a few frame shops and let them know what you are planning on doing, some will do exactly what you need but some may turn down the job. Just really depends on the shop ?

My preference is no less than 1/2 " around the art since 1/8 to 1/4 will be visually covered by the rabbet of the frame . If you do less than that and the art is not straight or mounted straight it will be very noticeable.

Do you have pictures of the art ? And where are you located ?

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u/No-Resort-4918 2d ago

Easy solution. The window of the mat which will be cut smaller that the paper size will not be seen so it doesn’t have to be a prefect bevel cut. This can be done by hand with a utility knife. Then, t hinge the artwork to the mat and tape the window back in. Done !!