Remember when a mat window was just… a square? Those days are long gone.
With the power of Computerized Mat Cutters (CMCs), custom framing has evolved from simple borders into full-blown storytelling. Whether it’s a lifetime of service or a heavy metal memento, modern technology allows framers to push boundaries.
Here are three real-world examples of how the pros are using tech to create “wow” moments.
1. The “Fits Like a Glove” Police Tribute ️
The Challenge: A retired Australian Police Inspector wanted to display 35 years of service, including badges, medals, and epaulets.
The Solution: Framer Darrell Nash used the Draw Mode on his Gunnar CMC to create a massive 43-opening design.
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Why it Rocks: Instead of generic squares, Nash traced the unique contours of every single medal, creating openings that fit each item perfectly.
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The Cherry on Top: He used the machine’s pen tool to draw silver lettering and crests directly onto the matboard for a fully personalized look.
2. The Air Jordan Masterpiece
The Challenge: Frank’s Hang Up in Florida needed to frame a Michael Jordan jersey with a very specific, complex design for a client.
The Solution: Using a Valiani CMC, the shop moved away from hand-cutting to precision engineering.
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Why it Rocks: The machine handled everything from perfect arcs to custom-cut lettering that matched the jersey’s font.
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The Efficiency Boost: What used to take days of manual cutting (and caused carpal tunnel!) now takes minutes, allowing the shop to say “yes” to complex shadowboxes without burning out.
3. Heavy Metal Attitude
The Challenge: A plain rectangle just felt “too quiet” for a high-energy Metallica memorabilia piece.
The Solution: Tami Phillippi of Frame Minnesota turned to the Wizard CMC Template Library to crank up the volume.
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Why it Rocks: You don’t always have to draw from scratch! Tami combined the “Spike” and “Taos” stock templates to create “stiletto point corners”.
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The Vibe: The sharp, jagged lines perfectly captured the energy of the band without requiring hours of custom design work.
The Takeaway?
Whether it’s tracing intricate medals or adding “stiletto” corners to a rock poster, the right tools let us frame the feeling of the art, not just the edges. Got a wild idea? Let’s frame it!
