MAT CUTTERS ON THE MARKET |
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Adding a mat is an excellent way to give a framed photograph or artwork a professional, finished touch. Whether you order a custom size matboard from your local print shop, or you decide to undertake cutting it from home, there are many mat cutters on the market that fit a range of budgets and decor styles.
While a regular utility knife is capable of cutting a matboard, such a tool will not give the finished piece the same clean, bevelled border of which a dedicated mat cutter is capable.
The following article outlines the most common brands and styles of mat cutter for both home and commercial use.
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SUMMARY
Depending on the production volume, there are four basic styles of mat cutter.
- Handheld: For home and light commercial use; $50 or less
- Tabletop: For regular home and mid-range commercial use; $100-$1,000
- Wall Mounted: For mid-range commercial use or space restrictions; $500-$3,000
- Computerized: Called CMCs (computerized mat cutters), these machines are self-standing with a built in computer; $9,000-$45,000
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MAT CUTTERS UNDER $100
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The mat cutters in the following table are very basic, most of them a small, handheld tool. A good choice for individuals who enjoy occasionally cutting their own mats, handheld cutters are not ideal for repetative mat cutting, since there is no way to ensure each cut will be exactly the same.
Though these cutters work well for small jobs, they can be difficult to use for extended periods of time. This is because they are designed to run along a straightedge or ruler. As such, manual pressure must be applied to both the ruler and the blade, and any slipping will damage the mat.
Perhaps the most appealing quality of these mat cutters is the price, and the ease with which they can be stored. Because most are no more than six inches long, a dedicated tabletop is not required. A handheld mat cutter is certainly a step up from a basic utility knife, and as long as the blades are regularly changed, a clean, sharp edge is possible every time.
BRAND |
MODELS |
DESIGN |
MAX. SIZE |
SHAPES |
PRICE |
X-ACTO |
Handheld |
- Cuts matboard and foamboard
- 90° cut, attachment for bevel
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Unlimited |
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$12 |
LOGAN GRAPHIC |
Handheld |
- Compact, lightweight
- Push or pull along mat
- 90° and 45° cut
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Unlimited |
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$20-$30 |
DEXTER |
Handheld |
- Adjustable for depth
- Adjustable for angle
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Unlimited |
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$30 |
FLETCHER |
Handheld |
- Adjustable for depth, up to 1/4" thickness
- 90° and 45° angle cuts
- Double-sided blade can be pushed and pulled
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Unlimited |
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$40 |
LOGAN GRAPHIC |
Oval and Circle Mat Cutter |
- Compact, handheld design
- Simple, 3-step system
- Multi-opening, double, triple mats
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4" to 20" diameter |
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$50 |
LOGAN GRAPHIC |
Tabletop, Model 301-1 |
- Long, rectangular design
- Manual sliding blade
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32" |
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$80 - $100 |
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MID-RANGE COMMERCIAL MAT CUTTERS
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Each of the mat cutters listed below is ideal for commercial framers for whom mat cutting is not the primary aspect of the business. While they still require manual pressure to move the blade, a number of additional features make an easy task of cutting multiple mats of the same size, and a fixed blade and base mean slipping is next to impossible.
These mat cutters feature stop guards that can be set to exact measurements, forcing the blade to start and stop exactly where the cut needs to be. In this way, each mat is certain to be exactly the right size, every time. Though the blade is still pushed by hand, the rolling track on which it is mounted eliminates some of the physical effort.
Mid-range, tabletop and wall mounted mat cutters can cut small to very large mats, including a range of border widths and board thicknesses. Wall mounted cutters can be easier to use because the blade slides up and down, instead of side to side, with a vertical dimension of up to 65". Some of the higher quality cutters can also cut foamboard, gatorboard, plexiglass, and even glass.
BRAND |
MODELS |
DESIGN |
MAX. SIZE |
SHAPES |
PRICE |
LOGAN GRAPHIC |
Tabletop: Compact, Artist, Simplex, Framer's Edge, Platinum |
- Rectangular, tabletop design
- Cut foamboard and up to 8 ply mats
- Up to 8" border width
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From 32" to 60" |
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$150 to $850 |
FLETCHER |
Tabletop: F-60, GeminiPro, 2200, Titan Wall mounted: 3000, 3100, FSC |
- Rectangular design
- Some models cut PVC, foamboard, glass, etc.
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From 40" to 65" |
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$700 to $2400 |
ESTERLY |
Wall-mounted: Starter, Standard, Production, Advanced |
- Cuts glass and foamboard as well
- Multiple stops mean no marking the mat
- Attachment cuts oval/circle mats
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40" width |
- Rectangular
- Square
- Circle/oval
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Leased at $80-$200/month |
KEENCUT |
Tabletop: Artist Plus, Ultimat Gold |
- Stop guards and detachable squaring arm
- 45° and 90° blade heads
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Up to 62" |
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$950-$1,700 |
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Logan Platinum Tabletop |
Fletcher 2100 Tabletop |
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COMPUTERIZED MAT CUTTERS (CMCs)
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CMCs are heavy-duty mat cutting machines that are ideal for companies that cut hundreds of mats a day, but not practical for smaller-scale production. Fully automated, these machines usually come equipped with a computer and software dedicated to creating every type of matboard imaginable. General computer knowledge is useful, but physical effort is limited to placing the uncut matboard on the table.
In addition to basic rectangular and square, straight edge mats, many CMCs feature a 360°-capable blade head that can cut circles, intricate corner designs, and even shapes derrived from complex digital images. Some also include a stylus, which moves an ink pen in a pre-programmed design around the face of the mat to create French lines, and other line decor. Very specialized cutters even have a deboss feature. The opposide of embossing, this creates slight indents in the mat - designs, letters, or other images.
Because the blade head moves up and down and back and forth, the mat does not need to be rearranged for each cut. Rather, multiple mat openings can be made from one stationary piece of matboard. Though this does limit the length of board that can be used, most matboard is not available in sizes greater than 60".
BRAND |
MODELS |
DESIGN |
MAX. SIZE |
SHAPES |
PRICE |
ESTERLY |
Esterly CMC |
- Cuts 20" per second
- 45° cuts
- Up to 6 ply matboard
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40x60" |
Software allows for many shapes |
$9000 to $10,000 |
WIZARD |
8000, 8500, 9000, Eclipse |
- Debossing and drawing capabilities
- 45° and 90° cuts
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32x40" |
Software allows for many shapes |
$13,000 to $25,000 |
TRUCUT |
Elan, Excel, Alpha |
- Cuts double and triple mats
- 45°, and 90°, reverse bevel cuts
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48x66" |
Software allows for many shapes |
$22,000 to $40,000 |
GUNNAR |
AiOX, 4001, F1, SPT32 |
- Cuts 20" per second
- 45° and 90° cuts
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49x74" |
Software allows for many shapes |
$24,000 and up |
VALIANI |
Plus, Geminus, Libra, Gto, Supreme, Pro Ultra |
- Also cuts gatorboard and foamboard
- 45°, 50°, and 90° cuts
- Stylus for drawing
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up to 40x60" |
Software allows for many shapes |
$22,000 to $50,000 |
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Wizard |
Gunnar 601 |
Valiani Mat Pro |
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Whatever your artwork and photograph mat requirements, there is a mat cutter to suit your budget and production needs. From a small, palm-sized push blade to a fully computerized design system, any mat style you can image can be created. For more information on picture matting, read our in-depth article All About Mats.
At KeenART Media, we use a high quality Fletcher tabletop mat cutter to create matboards with sharp, clean edges and beautiful bevels for all your picture framing needs. To see our full selection, visit our Matboards product page.
We also offer uncut, 32"x40" matboards, which you can find in our Product Store.
If you have any questions about our services or products, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to help.
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© 2002-2024 - KeenART Media Ltd.
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