Dollar Tree Cutting Mats for use in die cutting machines
Jul 18, 2023 0:00:36 GMT
jediannie, mom, and 1 more like this
Post by paperlovinggal on Jul 18, 2023 0:00:36 GMT
Hi, There has been You Tube videos about using assorted self healing mats and Dollar Tree cutting mats (not self healing) for our
die cutting machines. Most mats probably need to be cut down to fit our die cutting machines.
A few years ago I purchased a few DT cutting mats for the sole purpose of eventually cutting them down to replace Cuttlebug
B cutting mats. Recently, I purchased a few more DT cutting mats and noticed the quality had changed. The mat is much "softer"
and if those mats were not laid on a flat surface they would warp. I've seen them displayed in their styrofoam slotted holders and they were "bent" over. In other words, they were standing on it's side.
Finally decided today was the day to cut down my DT mats. I traced my C plate outlined onto the back of the newer DT cutting
mat (SKU #195464100448). I also traced (& cut) my C plate onto 2 pcs. of Cereal Box chipboards and one 65 lb. M's cardstock for
shims. I didn't reduce the length of the DT mat, and had the same length for the Cereal box chipboards and 65 lb. cardstock shim.
I used my Xacto blade and metal ruler to cut into the DT cutting mat..14 times on the back. Bent the cut line to expose the white
core and flipped over the mat with the printed side up..aligned the metal ruler by the bent cut line and sliced 2 more times til
the 2 sections came apart.
Cuttlebug sandwich used to cut an intricate die (from the bottom UP): A plate, C plate, Die (cut lines face Up), Paper face down, DT
cutting mat and 2 pcs. of cereal box chipboard shims. The sandwich was cranked through twice. The sandwich has to be
carefully lined up before cranked through the Cuttlebug.
The die cut was decent, but didn't cut all the lines. So, I had to re insert the sandwich back into the Cuttlebug. It
should be noted, the DT cutting mat WARPED very badly. I was quite shocked as I noticed on YT videos there was barely any
noticeable warpage on the DT cutting mat. I used this DT mat 4 times and quit. I wanted to see if I could "save" the mat
by placing it in an aluminum pan and pouring boiling water on top. A bowl & heavy mug were placed on top to hold the mat down.
Eventually, I flipped the mat...plied more boiling water. After awhile, I dried it off, laid it on a towel and placed a heavy object
on top..flipped a few times and the end result was it was still slightly warped/bowed, but not as bad as when it was being used.
This afternoon, I got out my older DT cutting mat (SKU # 039277945693). I traced the C plate on the back side. It took "forever"
to slice through this cutting mat. It's more durable. I'd say 50 times using an Olfa Box cutter (blade) and new Xacto blade. When
the white core was finally exposed I bent the cut line and flipped the DT mat over (printed side) and sliced through that bent line
probably another 10 times using my Xacto blade.
I used the same Cuttlebug sandwich as mentioned above and this time used intricate Spellbinder dies and cranked the sandwich
through twice (forward & backwards). It should be noted I also angled the Spellbinder dies in that "sandwich". OMG, pretty good
results. AND that older DT cutting mat DID NOT WARP! The 2nd time I tried out the sandwich using this older DT cutting mat,
I added the 65 lb. cardstock shim and intricate Spellbinder die and for the most part it cut out fine. Again, no mat warpage.
I wouldn't recommend using the newest DT cutting mat in your die cutting machine. If you can still find older inventory of SKU #039277945693 you'd have much better results.
die cutting machines. Most mats probably need to be cut down to fit our die cutting machines.
A few years ago I purchased a few DT cutting mats for the sole purpose of eventually cutting them down to replace Cuttlebug
B cutting mats. Recently, I purchased a few more DT cutting mats and noticed the quality had changed. The mat is much "softer"
and if those mats were not laid on a flat surface they would warp. I've seen them displayed in their styrofoam slotted holders and they were "bent" over. In other words, they were standing on it's side.
Finally decided today was the day to cut down my DT mats. I traced my C plate outlined onto the back of the newer DT cutting
mat (SKU #195464100448). I also traced (& cut) my C plate onto 2 pcs. of Cereal Box chipboards and one 65 lb. M's cardstock for
shims. I didn't reduce the length of the DT mat, and had the same length for the Cereal box chipboards and 65 lb. cardstock shim.
I used my Xacto blade and metal ruler to cut into the DT cutting mat..14 times on the back. Bent the cut line to expose the white
core and flipped over the mat with the printed side up..aligned the metal ruler by the bent cut line and sliced 2 more times til
the 2 sections came apart.
Cuttlebug sandwich used to cut an intricate die (from the bottom UP): A plate, C plate, Die (cut lines face Up), Paper face down, DT
cutting mat and 2 pcs. of cereal box chipboard shims. The sandwich was cranked through twice. The sandwich has to be
carefully lined up before cranked through the Cuttlebug.
The die cut was decent, but didn't cut all the lines. So, I had to re insert the sandwich back into the Cuttlebug. It
should be noted, the DT cutting mat WARPED very badly. I was quite shocked as I noticed on YT videos there was barely any
noticeable warpage on the DT cutting mat. I used this DT mat 4 times and quit. I wanted to see if I could "save" the mat
by placing it in an aluminum pan and pouring boiling water on top. A bowl & heavy mug were placed on top to hold the mat down.
Eventually, I flipped the mat...plied more boiling water. After awhile, I dried it off, laid it on a towel and placed a heavy object
on top..flipped a few times and the end result was it was still slightly warped/bowed, but not as bad as when it was being used.
This afternoon, I got out my older DT cutting mat (SKU # 039277945693). I traced the C plate on the back side. It took "forever"
to slice through this cutting mat. It's more durable. I'd say 50 times using an Olfa Box cutter (blade) and new Xacto blade. When
the white core was finally exposed I bent the cut line and flipped the DT mat over (printed side) and sliced through that bent line
probably another 10 times using my Xacto blade.
I used the same Cuttlebug sandwich as mentioned above and this time used intricate Spellbinder dies and cranked the sandwich
through twice (forward & backwards). It should be noted I also angled the Spellbinder dies in that "sandwich". OMG, pretty good
results. AND that older DT cutting mat DID NOT WARP! The 2nd time I tried out the sandwich using this older DT cutting mat,
I added the 65 lb. cardstock shim and intricate Spellbinder die and for the most part it cut out fine. Again, no mat warpage.
I wouldn't recommend using the newest DT cutting mat in your die cutting machine. If you can still find older inventory of SKU #039277945693 you'd have much better results.
