cricut mats

[scraphappysue]

I have also cleaned my mat with stamp cleaner...I've never have used adhesive though. It helps to use a brayer to roll over the paper to make it still extra well on the mat. The one thing I do now is use Pazzles mats. They cost a bit more, but they are super sticky!! And last forever!!...well worth it. Just cut a little off one side of the mat (as they are a little wider than the Cricut mats). Best for heavier paper...as the paper really sticks!! Definitely don't use a brayer.

[craftycreationz]

Darn! I wish i had read this before i went and bought some 12x12 mats to cut in half, I didn't realize they would be too small to fit under the rollers.. I'll try using the tape on the edges, I live 30 minutes from town, so i can't drive back tonight to exchange the mats, and can't wait til my next trip to play with my cricut! LOL

Thanks for all the tips you guys are awesome!!!!!!

[hbennett]

I also clean mine with baby wipes.

I run them through my Xyron and have had a lot of success. Combining this idea with the baby wipes, my mats stay sticky for months. Xyron repositionable adhesive is the best thing I have found. I have tried the tape idea and the repositionable glue, but this one is by far the longest lasting (in my humble opinion).

My Xyron 900 can only do the 6x12 mats, so I can not use it on my E - only my baby bug.

[lovebeingamom]

The 6x12 inch mat is actually almost 7 inches wide. The cutting area is 6 inches wide so if you cut a 12x12 mat in half, you won't have anything left on the edges to fit under the rollers to push it thru. I tried that myself. Ended up having to glue an extra inch of another mat to the 6x12 mat to make it a 7 x12 " mat. Now it works fine. The things we do to save money! Walmart has the best prices on mats as well as the tool kit and spatula. Joann"s will let you use your coupon on Cricut accessories like the tool kit but Micheal's coupons say no to anything Cricut.

I'm SO SORRY I mentioned cutting the 12 X 12 mats now, I had seen it posted several times on the "other" site and thought it sounded like a great idea, guess I should try something before I post it. I have purchased the 12 X 12 mats and have them sitting here waiting to be cut, maybe I'll just have to hold on to them if so if I ever decide to get the bigger machine I'll have them. Again, I'm sorry it messed some of you up, not my intention at all!

[whimpysue]

i think what some people mean by cutting the mats is they are buying the 12x24 inch mats and cutting THOSE in half. you would get 4 12x12 mats for about 13.00. hth
wendy

[smseabrook]

Clean the mats by rubbing liquid dish washing soap all over and then let dry. I then spray Krylon Easy Tack over it. IMPORTANT: mask off the edges of the mat that are not suppose to be sticky with masking tape. Let dry and you have a new mat.

[papasue]

After all the sprays and glues and soaping the mats clean I found that BLUE painters tape is my best friend. Just be sure that the tape doesn't overlap the edges cause you have to scrape it off the rollers, but it is cheap and effective!

[wreed06]

I tried using tape to hold my paper in place for a cut and my cut was a total disaster. The paper did not stay in place at all during the cut. Maybe it would work for a simple rectangle, but it was a mess when cutting swirls and other detailed designs.