Proper cutting mat maintenance will help you mat last for a long time. The different levels of tackiness of a mat will depend on the material that is being cut.

Any leftover materials that are not removed right away can stick permanently to your mat. Simply dab a clean cotton shirt on your mat to add just a little bit of fibers to it, making it a little less sticky than before. If you use one that is too tacky it will rip your paper, one not sticky enough will allow your project to shift. Cricuts full sized machines, the Maker and Explore Air 2, can use either a 12x12 or 12x24 mat. And if you are going to try these be gentle! The more lint and fibers left behind the less sticky it will be.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'personaldiecutting_com-leader-4','ezslot_15',614,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-leader-4-0')}; The more a mat is used, the less sticky it will get. Personal Die Cutting is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Its not super sticky but will hold the lighter materials in place while the machine cuts and is pretty easy to remove. You can run the lint roller over your mat to remove dust and bits. Depending on which materials you cut determines the mat you use for the cut.

Then, after the cut is made, the pieces move back together giving the mat a self-healing effect. All Cricut mats are designed with a purpose in mind! It is the only machine capable of embossing designs onto a material, learn the difference between embossing and cutting in my article, Whats the Difference Between Die Cutting and Embossing?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'personaldiecutting_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_16',611,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0')};if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'personaldiecutting_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',611,'0','1'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0_1')};.mobile-leaderboard-1-multi-611{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. I always try to clean my mats after I am done cutting multiple projects. The Cricut mat is the mat you will use for every single cut project because it is the mat that the material goes on to be cut by your Cricut machine! This mat has a super strong grip, but sometimes it needs a bit of help to hold down that thicker material so I always have a roll of painters tape nearby to tape the edges down on the mat to make sure it stays in place while our machine is hard at work! Again these are not the whole lists, but there to give you an idea of what midweight materials it can cut. If the project is a big project, bigger than a 12 x 12, then you will obviously use the bigger mat. Like I stated earlier, each mat is designed for certain materials. They come in many different sizes and levels of tackiness. The best place to purchase Silhouette cutting mats is from Swing Design. The most common size of mat is 12x12 which is used in most full sized cutting machines, such as the Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore Air 2, and Silhouette Cameo 4, that can cut materials up to 12 in width. It is the most commonly used mat and is the mat included with most machines.

They are called self healing because when your blade cuts into the mat the cut left by the blade will close itself up. Clean off little threads that have gotten caught in cuts as these prevent the mat from healing itself. Rinse the mat with cool water to rinse away residue. It is a highly durable mat to withstand the higher cutting force needed as well as designed to be used with the Kraft Knife which is meant for cutting denser materials. *This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience which means if you make a small purchase through my link I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! Some can even cover the whole top of your desk. The material must also be wide enough to fit under the rollers properly so it can be fed into the machine.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'personaldiecutting_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',197,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; The Silhouette Cameo 4 and Portrait 3 can cut paper materials like cardstock without a mat as well. Protecting it from any scratches and giving you the ability to cut very large projects. They come in a variety of sizes depending on the machine they are meant to be used with. The Maker 3 and Explore 3 can cut designs up to 12 feet long. The short answer is yes you could, with the exception of the Fabric mat, but I personally do not recommend it because if for some reason you have an issue with your machine and you re-sticky your mat it voids the warranty with it. Tweezers are an easy way to get rid of debris on your mat. This mat has a stronger grip than the lightweight mat and is the most used mat depending on the kind of materials you are working with. It has the lightest adhesive of all Silhouette cutting mats. Personal Die Cutting also participates in affiliate programs with ShareASale, and other sites. If they do please share the article so it can help someone else! These pieces and pressed together to create a smooth surface. Your Information is wonderful and I appreciate the time you take to write these articles! It is pink in color to distinguish it from the other mats. This is where the tools we discussed in What Supplies and Accessories do I really need vs Later Investments comes in. Silhouettes Cameo 4 and Portrait 3 can cut cardstock without a mat. If your mat is recommended to only be used in one direction, as indicated by load arrows, then you can change the location of your materials and image to be cut to use different areas of the mat. Yes, Of course, you can! The primary use of these mats is to protect the table you are working on from scratches from your cutting tool or needles, but they are extremely essential for making clean, precise cuts. There are many methods like cleaning and rotating to help increase the lifespan of a mat. Keep on crafting those amazing projects! Why your Cutting Mat is Warped and How to Fix It. Some mats are meant to withstand a stronger cutting force than others. This is due to the unique features of the Curio. I do hope my articles help you on your cricut journey! Most mats that have lost their adhesiveness likely just need to be replaced. So, when you cut the mat, you are simply separating the pieces and not actually cutting into the mat. The StandardGrip Mat is used for the most commonly used materials. This less tacky adhesive is best for materials like vellum, patterned paper, and standard printer paper.

A pop-out cut basically leaves tiny pieces of material attached much like a perforated cut. The Strong Tack cutting mat is designed for thicker and heavy weight materials. TheStrongGrip Mat should be used for the following materials: The Cricut Joy Card Mat is the newest of all the cutting mats. While the Cricut Joy uses a 4.5x6.5 or 4.5x12 mat. Two big issues you may run into is finding that your mat is too sticky, causing your material to rip, or if your mat has lost its sticking power your material can shift or fully come off while the machine is cutting, ruining your project. These materials include: The StrongGrip Mat is used for thick and heavy duty materials. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its always good to know which type of mat you need for what materials and your cutting machine software will typically prompt you on which type of mat to use. The Card Mat works by sliding the back of a prefolded card behind the divider on the mat. The standard grip mat is green and is designed for medium-weight materials such as textured paper. There are a few different types as mentioned above. The Brayer will help you lay your fabric down and the tweezers will help you lift it up off the mat. It will depend on the machine you own and the materials being cut. The Cricut Joy, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Explore 3 can also perform matless cutting but only when Cricut Smart Materials are used. (I am super gentle with this) or the second thing is you can try to use a lint roller super lightly where those threads are. The Silhouette Cameo can use either a 12x12 or 12x24 mat, while the Cameo Plus needs a mat that is 14 wide. Smaller mats are also available for the smaller machines. Self healing mats are designed to be used with a sharp blade. It has a grey border to distinguish it from the other mats. Contact me:) I love hearing from my tribe! The Curio Embossing mat is made to be used only with the Silhouette Curio machine. So now I will be going into details about those questions to help you along in your process. The popular Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 require a cutting mat for any cut being performed on any material. Take 50% off materials and accessories Check Out the Current DealsGet Free Shipping with Code JULSHIP. Dry the mat with a soft towel or let it air dry. New to cutting or are you left feeling a bit confused about the different Cricut mats? Another important feature of the different mats is strength. It involves removing the old adhesive then recoating your mat using some sort of repositionable or temporary adhesive. (Maker Only) If you have a Cricut Maker you can use this mat with the rotary blade and if you have an Explore Air it needs to be a bonded fabric, which is backing or stabilizer to it. The fabric grip mat is pink and is the newest mat that came out with the Cricut Maker to cut through the thinnest fabric without the need for a stabilizer. The medium tack adhesive is best for materials like cardstock, chipboard, and craft foam. View all the different Cricut mats here. Reducing the stickiness of a mat is easy. Another great option is using a lint roller, the sticky kind. The Silhouette Cameo 4, Curio, and Portrait 3 require a cutting mat for materials that do not have a backing like fabric and craft foam. Cutting mats go hand in hand with digital die cutting machines like Cricut and Silhouette. If cleaning it doesnt help you can reserve that mat for lighter more delicate materials that need less adhesion. It also works well for vinyl and iron-on. You always want to make sure you are covering your mats back up when you are done using them so that it doesnt collect dust and other particles floating around! Mats used in cutting machines are tacky, this is to hold your material firmly in place while it is being run through your cutting machine. And the Cricut Joy can cut Cricut Smart Materials without a mat as well. It works best for medium weight materials. It is purple in color to distinguish it from the other mats. The PixScan mat has a light tack to it and is all white with no gridlines. Most digital die cutting machines need a mat for cutting but there are some exceptions. Silhouette also has five different types of mats. I totally know how you feel! Your email address will not be published. Let it dry completely before putting the cover over it. Thank you so much Mandi! So you can cut just the front of a card. The mat you use depends on the materials that you will be cutting. Youll want to avoid touching this mat with your hand as the oils on them can interfere with the adhesive. Ample space for all your fabric-cutting needs: Sized for cutting full widths of fabric; Easy-to-read measuring grids on both sides make for double the usage; 30, 45 and Long-lasting and reliable: Self-healing cutting surface lasts longer than other mats and is designed to provide you with precise measurements and results. But there is no guarantee that the no-name brand mat will stand up as well as the brand name mat.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',617,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-leader-2-0')}; Cricut has five different types of mats. Ill go into more detail on this later.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',130,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; Self healing cutting mats are used when hand cutting items whether with an X-acto/craft knife or with a rotary cutter. These special materials have a thicker backing and are the correct width to feed into the machine properly. When I first started years ago I had so many questions about the Cricut mats, the differences between the colored mats, what mat should I use with that material, and finally how to care for the mats to get a longer life out of them. It has special markings on the mat that allow you to place any material, image or photo on the mat take a photo and import it into the Silhouette Studio software.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-netboard-1','ezslot_21',610,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-netboard-1-0')}; This lets you make precise cuts on existing images like photos or materials. A dull blade wont separate the pieces of material the way a sharp blade will and may actually cut the material which would prevent the mat from healing itself.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-box-4','ezslot_7',131,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-box-4-0')}; The self healing properties of these mats helps you to make very accurate cuts since old cuts and grooves in your cutting mat may cause your blade to slip slightly. The FabricGrip Mat should be used for the following materials: The LightGrip Mat is the least tacky of all Cricuts cutting mats. Fiskars Craft Supplies: Self Healing Cutting Mat for Crafts, Sewing, and Quilting Projects, 24x36 Whats the Difference Between Die Cutting and Embossing? That is why using the correct tackiness is very important. You can visit my Disclosure and Privacy Policy here. The scraper doesnt exist with this mat! Your email address will not be published. They can be used for everything from clay to a simple piece of paper. It has a blue border to distinguish it from the other mats. This cover should be placed back on your mat once you are done using it. Do not ever soak your mat. Learn more in my article How to Clean Your Cutting Mat. The better you care for your blades and mats the longer you can expect them to last. I spend hours, if not days on some of these articles and would love your support! These mats, I know, are compatible with the Cricut explore family and the Cricut maker. The Silhouette Cameo and Portrait can cut projects up to 60 feet long. If those little strings, from the fabric, left on your mat bug you like they bug me you can try two things, but use these with caution! The Standard Tack cutting mat is designed for medium weight materials. It almost ruined the mat, but taught me a lesson that I wont ever forget! There are many tutorials on re-sticking your cricut mat if that is the route you want to go, just make sure you have a good understanding of what it could do to your mat materials and the machine itself. Since the mat should have healed after each cut you will have a clean surface to cut on.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'personaldiecutting_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',607,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0')}; Self healing mats will have measurements scored into them that are used as a guide to cut different materials. Can I use a 12 x 24 mat with a small project? They are such a big help! Check out my Ultimate Beginners Guide to Cricut Design Space. Top 12 Essential Oils for the Crown Chakra-Divine Connection, Selflessness, & Self Knowledge, Top 12 Essential Oils for the Third Eye Chakra- Vision, Intuition, & Imagination, Top 12 Essential Oils for the Throat Chakra- communication, expression, truth, Top 12 Essential Oils for the Heart Chakra- Love understanding, compassion, forgiveness, Top 12 Essential Oils for the Solar Plexus Charka- personal power, self-esteem, identity, Ultimate Beginners Guide to Cricut Design Space, What Supplies and Accessories do I really need vs Later Investments, Lets say you only cut one project and theres nothing really on your mat just. You line the top of the card with the top of the mat, then fold over the front of the card and press it against the adhesive cutting mat. Most cutting machines, aside from those mentioned above, require a cutting mat when cutting any materials.