The first step to cutting your custom mat is to measure the inside dimensions of the frame that will hold the final matted art. It is important to measure inside dimensions, as cutting the mat too large will make it difficult to fit in the frame, and cutting too small may allow the mat to shift.
Measure from the inside edges of the frame. Mark the mat size in pencil on the mat to be cut. Align the cut line with the guide on the Logan cutter and place the 90 degree cutter, sometimes called the straight cutter, in the cutting track on the guide. Pull the cutter toward you, cutting the mat. Use a pull motion instead of a push. Pulling gives you more cutting power and reduces the chance of the cutter binding.
Use a ruler to align the final artwork in the center of the back of the mat. Measure to ensure that the art is exactly in the center. Make two pencil marks and use a yard stick or long straight edge to mark the exact size of the art to be displayed. If the art has wide borders, use a piece of paper cut to the exact size of the art to be displayed through the opening. Once the exact size of the piece has been measured, place the mat face down in the Logan cutter. Align the first side of the opening to be cut with the cutter guide and place the 45 degree cutter on the Logan's guide. Use a pulling motion to cut the first side of the opening. Slow down toward the end of the cut and make sure that you don't cut too far. Repeat this with the other three cuts and pop out the center piece to complete your custom mat.
Using two or more mats of different colors and texture can be beautiful. Multiple mats also increase the distance between the art and the glass. Cutting multiple mats is easy. Cut the base mat as above. For a second surface mat, simply increase the width of the opening by 2 or 4mm, or to taste.