Using New Inspiration Mats

I’ve found that the best time to use brand new mats is when my projects have a lot of intricate designs or have very small pieces. When the mat is at its maximum tackiness it helps to hold all of those pieces firmly down on the mat but it can also cause the paper to curl as it is being lifted off the mat because as you pull on your design to lift it off you are putting extra strain on your paper and causing it to curl. The best way to avoid this is to minimize the amount of stress you are putting on your paper by using tweezers or the Pazzles Chizzel to gently release the mat’s hold on your paper. Work your way around the edges of your design gently moving inward until your design is free. You’ll find that once the tackiness has subsided some from the mat that you won’t have the problem with the images continually curling. Always remember to take care of your mats and make sure that you cover them when they aren’t in use with the protective sheet.

Another problem that you may experience is the mat being too sticky. If this is the case, gently take your hand or a clean white tshirt, or jeans and pat it across your mat. It will eliminate some of the tackiness from the mat, and you'll have an easier time releasing the paper from the mat.  Here is another great video on taking care of your mat