Also, if you want to cut backed materials, like vinyl and iron-on, that are not full width such as when you are trying to use up scraps, then a cutting mat is also required. Keep on crafting those amazing projects! I tend to line 3 or 4 projects to cut one after another, then once my Cricut gets done cutting all the projects I will scrape it clean, and spray it, let it sit for a minute or so, then scrape off all the remaining pieces and particles. All Silhouette cutting machines can cut certain materials without a mat. The FabricGrip Mat should be used for the following materials: The LightGrip Mat is the least tacky of all Cricuts cutting mats. Some can even cover the whole top of your desk. 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! Matless cutting with your digital die cutting machine is a feature that not all cutting machines can perform. 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. It has a special adhesive on it to help release your fabric from the mat but still holds it in place when being cut. I totally know how you feel! If the project is a big project, bigger than a 12 x 12, then you will obviously use the bigger mat. 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 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! If they do please share the article so it can help someone else! All other machines like the Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker require a cutting mat to cut any and all materials. The Curio Embossing mat is made to be used only with the Silhouette Curio machine. If you find your cutting mat has warped check out my article, Why your Cutting Mat is Warped and How to Fix It. Like I stated earlier, each mat is designed for certain materials. Off-brand cutting mats are available and as long as the mat is the same size as the brands cutting mat then it should work in the machine. Smaller mats are also available for the smaller machines. 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! The Light Tack cutting mat is made to be used with thinner materials. 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. You can find all the mats Cricut has available as well including different sizes and sticky levels as bundle packs from Cricut.com, The FabricGrip Mat is a mat made just for fabrics. One of the easiest ways to keep your cutting mat nice and tacky is to rotate is after each cutting session. This is where the tools we discussed in What Supplies and Accessories do I really need vs Later Investments comes in. There are numerous ways to clean your mats-. Then, after the cut is made, the pieces move back together giving the mat a self-healing effect. All Silhouette machines can cut lined materials, like vinyl, iron-on, and sticker paper, without a mat. This mat is designed to be used with the rotary blade and bonded fabric blade only. After a cutting session remove any leftover materials and debris from your mat as soon as possible. Materials that have a backing or lining are cut using a kiss cut. The protective covering is a clear film that covers the sticky part of your mat. There are many methods like cleaning and rotating to help increase the lifespan of a mat. (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 mats allow the material to be properly loaded into the machine and to keep the material in place during cutting. It is green in color to distinguish it from the other mats. The popular Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore Air 2 require a cutting mat for any cut being performed on any material. Fiskars craft Use room temperature water, a few drops of a mild detergent, and a brush with mild bristles to create a gentle lather. 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. These materials include: The StrongGrip Mat is used for thick and heavy duty materials. 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. The mat also lets you upload hand drawn images or other physical designs into the software to be cut. The scraper doesnt exist with this mat! All Silhouette machines can cut backed materials like vinyl without a mat. Your email address will not be published. If cleaning it doesnt help you can reserve that mat for lighter more delicate materials that need less adhesion. Here is my Cricut Beginners Guide to Blades. The Silhouette Cameo can use either a 12x12 or 12x24 mat, while the Cameo Plus needs a mat that is 14 wide. There are two main types of cutting mats, mats specific to cutting machines and self healing cutting mats.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'personaldiecutting_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',615,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; Christmas in July! 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. They come in many different sizes and levels of tackiness. The different levels of tackiness of a mat will depend on the material that is being cut. All mats come with a film cover that is see-through that protects the mat from dust and other particles that are in the air. New to cutting or are you left feeling a bit confused about the different Cricut mats? These special materials have a thicker backing and are the correct width to feed into the machine properly. If you need more details on this please visit my Beginners Guide to Cricut Blades and scroll down to the Fabric Blade. Another important feature of the different mats is strength. Your Information is wonderful and I appreciate the time you take to write these articles! Rinse the mat with cool water to rinse away residue. It has the lightest adhesive of all Silhouette cutting mats. It has a grey border to distinguish it from the other mats. 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. Yes, Of course, you can! Unfortunately, the Cricut Joy Card Mat is only compatible with the Cricut Joy cutting machine. Die Cutting Machine Reviews, Tutorials, and Guides. 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! Some mats are meant to withstand a stronger cutting force than others. The mat you use should reflect the project you are working on. Cutting mats go hand in hand with digital die cutting machines like Cricut and Silhouette. You can try cleaning your mat as described above and hopefully this will be enough to breathe new life into an old mat. It works similar to the Print then Cut feature. Once the mat is clean, moisturize and renew the surface by soaking it in vinegar and water. Keeping your cutting mat clean and using the right mat for the right material will prolong the life of your cutting mat and prevent damage to your machine. Now lets look more in-depth at cutting mats, when you should use one, and how to take care of the mats to give them a longer life. 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. I know I just told you to for the other mats but NOT THIS ONE!!! There are four different mats as of right now. This excludes the Cricut Joy. It is the most commonly used mat and is the mat included with most machines. Can I use a 12 x 24 mat with a small project? Silhouettes Cameo 4 and Portrait 3 can cut cardstock without a 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 a blue border to distinguish it from the other mats. Youll know your mat has isnt sticky enough if your material shifts and moves during cutting. 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. Keeping your mats plastic liner on it when not in use is a simple way to protect the adhesive from collecting dust, lint, and debris when the mat is not in use. 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. It is as simple as it sounds, a cutting mat is a mat that is used for cutting. I do hope my articles help you on your cricut journey! Why your Cutting Mat is Warped and How to Fix It. Thinner more delicate materials require a mat that is less sticky while stronger, thicker material requires a stronger adhesive. You can always use the big mat for small projects if that is what you want to do! (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. 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 kiss cut only cuts through the top layer of the material leaving the backing fully intact. The Portrait uses a mat that is 8.5 wide and the Curio also uses an 8.5 wide mat. Materials with a backing include vinyl, iron-on or heat transfer vinyl (HTV), sticker paper, stencil material among others. The Cricut Mats are sticky, but each mat has a different stickiness to it which determines the grip of the mat. You can learn how to do this in my article 6 Ways to Clean and Restick Your Cutting Mat. 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. If you want your paper products to be fully cut from your material, compared to the pop-cut mentioned above, you will need to use a cutting mat. It is blue in color to distinguish it from the other mats. The better you care for your blades and mats the longer you can expect them to last. Learn more in my article How to Clean Your Cutting Mat. The PixScan cutting mat is unique to Silhouette. For example, The thicker the material, like chipboard, the stronger you want the grip of the mat (Strong Grip mat). What makes this mat unique is it has a divider that lets you cut prefolded cards. Most digital die cutting machines need a mat for cutting but there are some exceptions. Tweezers are an easy way to get rid of debris on your mat. Its not super sticky but will hold the lighter materials in place while the machine cuts and is pretty easy to remove. Fiskars Craft Supplies: Self Healing Cutting Mat for Crafts, Sewing, and Quilting Projects, 24x36 Whats the Difference Between Die Cutting and Embossing? Keep your fingers off the Mat because the oils on your fingers transfer to the mat which breaks down the adhesive which makes it less sticky and we want those mats to last a decent amount of time! But you always want to scrape to get all those scraps off the mat, then spray or wipe down, and finally cover with that protective covering! Rinse your mat with room temperature water. Also, come on over and chat with me over at my facebook group! For instance, if you put copy paper on a strong grip mat, you are going to have one hell of a time getting it off! This is a common problem with new cutting mats. You want solid projects with clean sharp cuts. That is why using the correct tackiness is very important. This mat comes with just the right about of sticky on it so you DONT want to use the scraper! All Cricut mats are designed with a purpose in mind! So now I will be going into details about those questions to help you along in your process. This mat is a bit different and has different cleaning instructions because the adhesive on this mat is different from the other 3 mats. 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}. Reducing the stickiness of a mat is easy. You can also learn more about the effect of heat on a cutting mat in my article Can You Iron On A Cutting Mat? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',606,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-banner-1-0')};What makes a cutting mat self-healing? A self healing mat is actually made up of many small pieces of material, usually rubber. The Strong Tack cutting mat is designed for thicker and heavy weight materials. Most mats that have lost their adhesiveness likely just need to be replaced. This is not a full list, but it will give you an idea of what light materials it can cut. Machines like the Brother Scan-n-Cut and other less well known digital die cutting machines all require the use of a cutting mat.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',134,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-leader-1-0')}; The type of material you will be cutting determines which type of mat you need to use. It has a white border to distinguish it from the other mats. Protecting it from any scratches and giving you the ability to cut very large projects. Lighter and even medium weight materials can easily rip when trying to remove them from this mat. The medium tack adhesive is best for materials like cardstock, chipboard, and craft foam. Welcome to my site! While the Cricut Joy uses a 4.5x6.5 or 4.5x12 mat. The Cricut mats come in two sizes which are a 12 x 12 and a 12 x 24. The Silhouette Cameo and Portrait can cut projects up to 60 feet long. Design Space does not tell you which mat to use for what but does tell you which blade to use and if you have a good idea of what that blade cuts, you should have a pretty good idea of what mat you should use. Contact me:) I love hearing from my tribe! Brand new to all this? Check out my Ultimate Beginners Guide to Cricut Design Space. So you can cut just the front of a card. But there are several different types of mats available on the market and the one you need will depend on what you are using it for. While the Cricut Joy can cut unique designs up to 4 feet long and repeating designs up to 20 feet long. Dry the mat with a soft towel or let it air dry. Youll want to avoid touching this mat with your hand as the oils on them can interfere with the adhesive. Your email address will not be published. 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. DO NOT THROW THIS COVER AWAY! Silhouette also has five different types of mats. I would love to connect and get to know you! It is designed for thin or delicate materials that need the lightest of tackiness so they are not torn when removed from the mat. Cricuts Joy, Maker 3 and Explore 3 can perform matless cutting using Cricuts Smart Materials.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'personaldiecutting_com-box-3','ezslot_1',128,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-personaldiecutting_com-box-3-0')}; The machine you buy will determine whether you will need a mat to cut every material.
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