Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Any place I can buy Cricut mats like the one that came with the machine?
That was light green and a nice thick and sticky mat I had no problems with, but it eventually broke. The only mats I could find in the craft stores are darker green and thinner, and paper won't stick to them right. I gave up even trying to cut SU papers as the blade always snags those off the mat and destroys the papers, but even the thinner ones won't stay on there right.
This is on brand new mats too, so no paper fuzz or anything on the mat yet to make it not stick right. Love my Cricut but it's been more frustrations than fun lately due to the mats.. :(
I haven't had any issues with the replacement mats I had purchased. One set came from Walmart.com and the other from Amazon. Sounds like you might have gotten a bad batch.
__________________ Leslie Harnish
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Canada
I have also purchased those dark green mats, and very unhappy with them as well. I *think* they were Imagine mats, which accounts for the difference in looks (but def should not account for the lack of stickiness!!!). But I have recently purchased the older mats at Joanns, they had them in stock.
But in all honestly, I use Aleene's Tack it Over and water to re-sticky my mats after they have been used for a while. I just soak it in some soapy water first to try to get it as clean as possible, then apply a thin layer of the mixture and let dry. Works so much better, and so much cheaper too!
I buy the 12x12 matts (i have the expression) and cut them in half for 12x12 mats. When they get unsticky, I use quilt basting spray to restick them. I have been using the same ones for 2 years and teach classes with them.
As for the su paper, make sure you have a sharp blade (no chipboard cutting), I have my pressure on highest and the dial on the blade at 6. Hope this helps
There is this spray can called STICK AWAY by Crafter's Companion. It lifts off the gunk from the Cricut mats. After that, I spray with a repositionable adhesive spray like Krylon. I've been using these two products, and now I can't remember the last time I bought a new mat. HTH
I've had the same problem with the new style mats I've purchased. I think ProvoCraft has a major quality control issue! It makes no sense to me that the stickiness would need to differ for the Imagine. The PC rep that I spoke to said there was no major change in the mats...
that said, they don't work -- so there's been SOME change, right?
Unfortunately, mat issues are an ongoing thing with PC. Save yourself a lot of grief and buy the Quilt basting spray at WalMart. I think a can is $5-6 and will last you forever. Wash the mats with dish soap and a nylon scour pad, dry, tape off edges, spray with basting spray, let dry. PC isn't going to FIX this issue.
I've never dealt with a company that had more quality control issues than Provo Craft. Honestly, they have faulty products on the market all the time! They seem to release products before the bugs are worked out.... I've had it.
I too am a basting spray user. I have been using the same can for years got it at walmart for like 6 bucks. You just have to remember to tape off the edges and not over spray. I am one that has a tendency to over spray and then my mats are definitely too sticky. When that happens I just stick them to my shirt a couple of times and that seems to help.
Have any of you used the GooGone or whatever other adhesive remover you use on the small rollers on the metal bar inside your cricut? They also collect adhesive and will pull your paper or cardstock off your mats!
Every time I restick my mats, I clean the feed rollers. Just be sure to clean the adhesive remover off with a paper towel.
I only use the genuine Cricut mats in my Cricut and Expression. I toss out the mat when it is no longer sticky. I have no problem with any rollers getting adhesive on them. I would not recommend putting any kind of product on the inside workings of the machine.
I only use the genuine Cricut mats in my Cricut and Expression. I toss out the mat when it is no longer sticky. I have no problem with any rollers getting adhesive on them. I would not recommend putting any kind of product on the inside workings of the machine.
Patti
I agree with not tinkering with putting strange products inside the machine but extending your mats serves two important purposes. 1. It helps keep things out of the landfill by reducing, reusing and recycling. That's good for the planet no matter which way you look at it. My kids would say I sound like an environmental tree hugger LOL! 2. Extending the use of your mats helps the budget in difficult economic times. Anything that keeps money in my pocket longer is also a win-win.
Done properly, resticking your mats will not harm your machine. I've never had any adhesive get on my rollers so far so I'm not sure what those users are doing to cause this issue.
__________________ Leslie Harnish
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Canada
I restick my mats all the time. Much much cheaper and I have had no problems. There are several things you can buy to restick them, from the spray, to zag glue, to Aleene's tack it over and over, to the slice glue. all of them work!!!!
I tried cleaning my older mats with baby wipes- just the generic brand from Walmart. Worked so incredibly well - I was quite surprised.
Today I just noticed that these mats have a white border, not green. I recently purchased a bunch of mats from an online craft shop at a song - but these are green. The mat that came with the machine was green too. Does anyone know why the border colours are different? The white ones worked great and with the baby wipe cleaning, are back to near new.
lharnish....I guess I'm not a recycle person. I seem to get the use from my mats that suits me. If I can get 50-65 uses from one mat, that works for me. I can't see purchasing another product to use on them.
My thoughts are just that....mine. Others disagree and that's fine. We each do as we feel is best for us.
lharnish....I guess I'm not a recycle person. I seem to get the use from my mats that suits me. If I can get 50-65 uses from one mat, that works for me. I can't see purchasing another product to use on them.
My thoughts are just that....mine. Others disagree and that's fine. We each do as we feel is best for us.
Patti
Patti, you're quite brave to admit you're not a recycler. That's a no-no in today's politically correct society and people could jump on you like crazy. There are ways I don't recycle as well as I should as well because I simply don't have the room or the time. My kids are of the era where recycling has been ingrained in them, just like not drinking and driving is a way bigger taboo than it was years ago (and that's a good thing), and they think it is blasphemy when I put something in the garbage bag that should have gone in the blue bag LOL! I do my best to help the planet but I'm not 100% compliant. I hope you don't think I was insulting you.
__________________ Leslie Harnish
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Canada
lharnish....I'm not insulted by your comment. But I'm also not afraid to admit my comment either. I just have my reasons for not being much of a recycler. But I won't go into it since recycle in off topic for this website.
Cricut Mats
