A clean mat opening makes artwork look finished. The right cutter also helps you repeat borders accurately without wasting board on avoidable mistakes.
These 10 options span handheld bevel tools, compact board-mounted cutters, and larger systems. The best fit depends on your mat size, cutting volume, and whether you need bevel, straight, or both types of cut.
Best 10 Matting Cutters for Framers Picks for 2026
Compact 35-Inch Pick
GONYTIA 35-Inch Compact Elite Mat Cutter
- 35-inch cutting capacity
- Bevel and straight cutters included
- Guides, stops, and five spare blades
Best For: Guided cuts in standard-thickness mats
Longer-Board Pick
GONYTIA 39-Inch Compact Elite Mat Cutter
- 39-inch cutting capacity
- 45° bevel and 90° straight cutters
- Guide system and five spare blades
Best For: Longer standard-thickness mat projects
Handheld Bevel Pick
45° Bevel Mat Cutter with 10 Blades
- Designed for standard 4-ply mats
- Engraved scales and adjustable blade exposure
- Ten replacement blades included
Best For: Beveled openings with an existing cutting setup
32-Inch System Pick
Logan 350-1 Compact Elite Mat Cutter
- 32-inch cutting capacity
- Bevel and heavy-duty straight cutters
- Board, stops, measuring bar, and five blades
Best For: Standard-thickness mats within a 32-inch capacity
Versatile Starter System
Logan 440-1 Team Cutting System Plus
- 40-inch straight edge
- Push-style bevel cutter included
- Three-position mat knife
Best For: Framers wanting straight and bevel cuts in one setup
Straight-Cut Add-On
Logan 701-1 Straight Cutter Elite
- Pull-style straight cutter
- Adjustable cutting depth
- No bevel cutting
Best For: Straight trimming with a compatible Logan system
Guided Mat-Cutting Station
Logan 450-1 Artist Elite Mat Cutter
- Straight and bevel heads
- Guides and production stops
- Cuts up to 40 inches
Best For: At-home framing with guided, repeatable cuts
Best for Wide Borders
Logan Simplex Elite 40-Inch Mat Cutter
- 40-inch matboard capacity
- Borders up to 5.5 inches
- Straight and bevel heads included
Best For: Framers cutting larger mats with wider borders
Best for Production Work
Logan Framer’s Edge Elite 40-Inch Cutter
- 40-inch cutting capacity
- Adjustable production stops
- Supports 4-ply and 8-ply with proper blades
Best For: High-volume custom mat cutting
Best Compact Setup
Logan Compact Elite 32-Inch Mat Cutter
- 32-inch matboard capacity
- Borders from 3/4 to 4 1/4 inches
- Stops for repeated mat sizes
Best For: Framers seeking a smaller board-mounted cutter
Compact 35-Inch Pick – GONYTIA 35-Inch Compact Elite Mat Cutter
Among matting cutters for framers, this 35-inch GONYTIA system is a practical choice for cutting standard-thickness mat board with either beveled openings or straight edges. Its guide, scale, and stops help position repeated cuts.
Best For: At-home framers who want a guided 35-inch cutter for standard-thickness mats.
Pros:
- Includes 45° bevel and 90° straight cutters.
- Parallel mat guide, measuring scale, hinged rail, and positioning stops support alignment.
- Adjustable cutting depth and five replacement blades add flexibility for standard mat boards.
Cons:
- Designed for standard-thickness mat board only.
- Its 35-inch capacity is smaller than the 39-inch option in this roundup.
The guided layout should appeal to beginners as well as experienced framers. Follow the supplied cutting instructions and place scrap paper beneath the mat to help protect the blade and board.
Longer-Board Pick – GONYTIA 39-Inch Compact Elite Mat Cutter
If you need more board length among matting cutters for framers, this GONYTIA model offers a 39-inch cutting capacity. It pairs a 45° bevel cutter and 90° straight cutter with a guide system for sizing and positioning standard-thickness mats.
Best For: At-home framers who want a 39-inch guided board for standard-thickness mat projects.
Pros:
- 39-inch cutting capacity accommodates longer matting projects.
- Includes bevel and straight cutters plus five replacement blades.
- Parallel guide, measuring scale, hinged rail, and positioning stops aid setup.
Cons:
- Designed for standard-thickness mat boards only.
- A longer cutting board may take more workspace than a shorter model.
Choose this one when the extra cutting length matters, rather than for thicker specialty mats. A sheet of scrap paper under the workpiece is recommended to help protect the blade and cutting board.
Handheld Bevel Pick – 45° Bevel Mat Cutter with 10 Blades
For framers who already have a suitable cutting setup, this handheld option brings a different approach to matting cutters for framers: it focuses on 45° bevel cuts rather than supplying a full cutting board. Engraved start and stop scales help with alignment.
Best For: Cutting beveled openings in standard 4-ply mat board with an existing rail or ruler setup.
Pros:
- Adjustable blade exposure helps match mat thickness and avoid excessive blade depth.
- Includes 10 replacement blades and a storage box.
- Nylon guides glide along a rail and can be removed for ruler-guided freehand cutting.
Cons:
- Not suited to overly thick or specialty mat materials.
- No full cutting board or straight cutter is listed among the included components.
The retractable-blade push-cut design is worth considering if you mainly need beveled openings. Its stated material range also includes foam board, acid-free mat board, and vinyl substrates, but the specified mat-board fit is standard 4-ply.
32-Inch System Pick – Logan 350-1 Compact Elite Mat Cutter
The Logan 350-1 is a complete board-based option among matting cutters for framers, with a 32-inch cutting capacity and separate bevel and heavy-duty straight cutters. Its included measuring bar, mat guide stop, and guiderail stop support controlled layout.
Best For: Framers who want a 32-inch board system for standard-thickness mat board.
Pros:
- Includes both bevel and heavy-duty straight cutters.
- Comes with a cutting board, measuring bar, mat guide stop, and guiderail stop.
- Five blades are included.
Cons:
- Works with standard-thickness mat board only.
- Its 32-inch cutting capacity is the shortest of the board-based options listed here.
This is a straightforward choice when 32 inches of capacity is enough and you want the board, cutters, and positioning accessories supplied as one system.
Versatile Starter System – Logan 440-1 Team Cutting System Plus
Logan 440-1 Team Cutting System Plus For Framing, Matting, Precision Cutting, and Design
Check Price On AmazonAmong matting cutters for framers, the Logan 440-1 pairs a 40-inch straight edge with a push-style bevel cutter, giving you tools for both straight cuts and beveled mat openings.
Best For: Novice or experienced framers who want a portable straight-edge and bevel-cutting combination.
Pros:
- Includes a 40-inch straight edge and 302-1 push-style bevel mat cutter.
- Three-position mat knife has a slip-lock depth feature.
- Knife can downsize standard matboard and foam board up to 3/16 inch thick.
Cons:
- Foam-board cutting is specified only up to 3/16 inch thick.
- A 42-inch-long tool needs adequate workspace and storage.
This is a practical choice when you want long straight cuts and bevel cutting in one lightweight, 2.4-pound setup.
Logan 701-1 Straight Cutter Elite Straight Matboard and Foamboard Cutter For Framing and Matting
Check Price On AmazonIf you are comparing matting cutters for framers specifically for trimming, the Logan 701-1 is a pull-style straight cutter for matboard, foam board, and other creative materials. It does not produce bevel edges.
Best For: Framers who need a dedicated straight-cutting head for a compatible Logan setup.
Pros:
- Adjustable-depth pivot mechanism supports straight cuts and detail trimming.
- Works with multiple Logan systems, including the Team, Compact, Artist Elite, and Simplex series.
- Includes replacement blades and weighs 4.96 ounces.
Cons:
- Cannot cut a bevel edge.
- A standalone straight edge or guide is not listed among the included components.
Choose this cutter for straight trimming or as a compatible-system accessory, rather than as a substitute for a bevel cutter.
For buyers seeking guided matting cutters for framers, the Logan 450-1 Artist Elite offers both straight and pull-style bevel cutting heads. Its guides and stops support repeatable layout for cuts up to 40 inches.
Best For: At-home framers who want an adjustable cutting station with measuring and alignment aids.
Pros:
- Includes straight and bevel cutting heads.
- Parallel mat guide, scaled measuring bar, hinging guide rail, and production stops aid positioning.
- Includes five replacement blades, instructions, and an instructional DVD.
Cons:
- At 7.9 pounds, it is heavier than the other two listed cutters.
- Its stated cutting capacity is up to 40 inches.
- Product details state no warranty.
The built-in measuring and positioning features make this the most station-like option here, provided its size and stated cut length suit your workspace.
Best for Wide Borders – Logan Simplex Elite 40-Inch Mat Cutter
Logan Graphic Products 750-1 Simplex Elite Mat Cutter System, 40 inch Capacity (750-1DS)
Check Price On AmazonAmong matting cutters for framers, the Logan Simplex Elite combines a 40-inch board-mounted cutting system with a mat guide that sets borders up to 5.5 inches wide. It includes straight and bevel cutting heads for sizing boards and cutting openings.
Best For: Framers who want 40-inch cutting capacity and room to set wider borders.
Pros:
- Handles matboard up to 40 inches long.
- Squaring arm helps with material downsizing.
- Includes both cutting heads and five extra blades.
Cons:
- The listed warranty is “No Warranty.”
- The mat guide sets borders only up to 5.5 inches.
The wide border range is its clearest advantage; check whether its stated warranty and guide limit suit your workflow.
Best for Production Work – Logan Framer’s Edge Elite 40-Inch Cutter
Logan 650-1 Framer’s Edge Elite 40 Inch Mat Cutter for Framing, Matting and Hobby Use
Check Price On AmazonFor framers comparing matting cutters for framers who make repeated cuts, the Logan Framer’s Edge Elite is a heavy-duty, 40-inch option designed for production use. Its quick-change squaring arms and adjustable production stops support consistent sizing and alignment.
Best For: Professional or high-volume framing setups cutting repeated custom mats.
Pros:
- Supports 4-ply and 8-ply boards with the appropriate blades.
- Two quick-change squaring arms help with alignment.
- Start/stop indicator and adjustable stops aid repeat cuts.
- Aluminum channels allow custom border widths.
Cons:
- 4-ply and 8-ply cutting require different blade types: #269 and #268, respectively.
- Its listed 50-by-14.5-inch size and 30-pound weight call for dedicated workspace.
This model prioritizes repeatability over compactness, making it a practical fit when mat cutting is a frequent task.
Best Compact Setup – Logan Compact Elite 32-Inch Mat Cutter
Among matting cutters for framers with smaller work areas, the Logan Compact Elite offers 32-inch matboard capacity in a board-mounted design. Its hinged guide rail holds the board during cutting, while separate straight and bevel cutters cover sizing and openings.
Best For: Framers who need a 32-inch cutter for mat openings and board downsizing.
Pros:
- Mat guide sets borders from 3/4 inch to 4 1/4 inches.
- Square bar and measuring arm help size material from 1 to 20 inches.
- Guide-rail stops support repeated mats of the same size.
- Includes five 270 blades.
Cons:
- 32-inch capacity is shorter than the two 40-inch cutters listed here.
- The straight cutter is specified for standard 4-ply matboard and 3/16-inch foam board.
Its sizing tools and repeat-cut stops make it versatile within its 32-inch capacity; choose a longer system if your mats require more room.
How We Picked the Best Matting Cutters for Framers
We organized these Matting Cutters for Framers around practical purchase decisions: cutting capacity, handheld versus guided operation, bevel versus straight-cut capability, and the amount of space each setup requires. The selection includes compact cutters for occasional framing, larger board-mounted systems, and specialized tools. Listed features and model names are a starting point, not a substitute for checking the current product listing and included accessories before ordering.
Quick Comparison: Which Type Fits Your Work?
A handheld bevel cutter is the simplest choice if you already have a reliable straightedge and cut mats only occasionally. A board-mounted cutter adds a fixed guide and measuring references, which can make repeated openings easier to align. Larger systems suit framers who regularly work with bigger boards or need more room to position a mat. A dedicated straight cutter, such as the Logan 701-1, addresses straight cutting; confirm what you need for beveled window openings before treating it as an all-purpose mat cutter.
Key Buying Factors for Matting Cutters for Framers
Capacity and Workspace
Match the cutter’s stated capacity to the mat sizes you actually use, then check whether that measurement refers to overall board size or cutting length. Allow space around a board-mounted system to feed, rotate, and inspect a full sheet. A compact model may be easier to store but less convenient for oversized projects.
Cut Type and Repeatability
For traditional framed-art openings, look for a bevel-cutting setup and a way to hold a consistent border width. If you also trim matboard or foamboard to size, check for straight-cut capability or plan on a separate straight cutter. Stops, guides, and clear measurement markings become more valuable when you make multiple identical mats.
Blades and What Is Included
Sharp, compatible blades matter more than a long feature list: dull blades can snag board or leave uneven edges. Check replacement-blade availability and verify whether the listing includes a baseboard, guide rail, stops, or spare blades. Similar model names and bundled versions can differ; the Logan 350-1 appears twice in this selection, so compare listing condition and contents rather than assuming two different cutting systems.
Who Should Buy Which Matting Cutters for Framers?
Occasional framers with a suitable straightedge can start with the handheld bevel cutter. At-home framers who want a guided setup should compare the compact 35-inch and 39-inch cutters with the Logan 350-1 and 450-1, focusing on capacity and included components. For frequent work or larger mats, consider the Logan 650-1 or 750-1 after confirming their fit in your workspace. Choose the Logan 701-1 when straight cutting is the priority, and look at the Logan 440-1 if a broader cutting and design setup better matches your projects. Whichever you choose, make a test cut on scrap matboard before cutting a finished mat.