When I lift my images up off a new mat, I noticed that sometimes the adhesive sticks to the image.
Kelly G. Oxdale County, OK
Even though we all love to get out a fresh new mat, you have to remember that new mats are much stickier. Whenever people contact me about trouble with their new mat, I share a little tip with them that I will share with all of you. Don’t press your paper so firmly on to your new mats. The reason you don’t need to is because new mats are so sticky that just gently placing the paper on the mat is enough to hold it in place. I gently sweep my hand across the paper enough to make sure it’s in place, but I never press or rub my paper down. I save this technique for when my mats are getting older and the adhesive just isn’t as tacky. So rubbing the paper firmly on to a mat is a must at that stage, but newer mats don’t require so much pressure to hold your paper. Also, by not pressing so hard on the paper to the mat ensures that it won’t bring up the residue from the mat when you lift up those images. I hope you all try this technique the next time you get a fresh new mat. Post here and let us all know how it worked for you!
Good advice…..and also…..don’t use light paper on a new mat….use the old mat for that and card stock on the new mat until it is seasoned. You & Klo taught me that a long time ago and I still live by that rule. 🙂
My first attempt at cutting on the PI was the word ‘Love’ from the images that came with the software. I was so frustrated as the very lightweight paper just wouldn’t budge off the mat. Ended up with a ripped and curled piece of 12 x 12 lol… Didn’t know help was available back then so gave up and put my machine away… I still haven’t cut out a card shape on my machine but it is about time i did after re reading this great advice:-)
Another tip from Klo – put your hands on your mat to make them not so sticky! Just gently tap your hands all over the mat before you use it the first time!
I wish i knew that before i used my mat the 1st time what a mess it made
So glad I can learn from all these tips. I got my machine a week ago! 🙂
Just got a machine this week! Put in light weight paper, and cut my first image out! Of course, I found out this tip on here AFTER everything stuck to my mat didn’t I?! 🙁 Of course now I’m having to take all the paper off little by little!! ugh!! what a job! I guess we all learn from our mistakes, one I’ll NEVER forget for SURE!
I tried my new machine before knowing these tips as well. Glad I checked here before calling. These are great tips. I’ll definitely try putting my hands on the mat before trying again, and being careful not to put the paper on with a heavy hand. Thanks so very much for these tips! What a help.