It’s important to keep your mats in pristine condition so that they not only last longer, but ensure good, clean cuts when using your Inspiration. Always remember to keep them covered with the clear protective sheet when not in use and stored on a flat hard surface or hanging flat. You’ll be amazed at how long your mats will last with a little TLC.
I was cutting multiple images and a few of them kept lifting a peeling up where there was little adhesive left on my mat. Why does that happen?
Marcy J. El Paso, TX
Here in our office my coworker and dear friend, Amanda, and I take a lot of pride in how long we make our mats last. As long as the mats are stored in a clean location where they are free of debris, lint and just general dust in the air, they’ll last a very long time. If you’ve been using your mat and you find that certain parts of the mat are no longer sticky you may experience problems with your images lifting and tearing in that location. The reason for that is that is as the blade is working through your paper to make the cut the blade is swiveling inside of the holder. If the paper is not gripped properly to the mat the paper will lift with the blade. I know how frustrating that can be, but once you change the mat you’ll begin to experience better cuts since the mat will be tacky enough to hold the paper firmly in place.
This is all good advice…but I would add that if you are doing multiple cuts of the same item in the same exact location on your mat, then you will cause that particular part of the mat to wear out faster. For, that reason, you should move the items to different parts of the mat after so many cuts, or rotate the mat so that it gets even wear.
But, I too try to make my mats last a long time. It is almost as if I compete with myself as to how long I can get them to last…not knowing that you were doing the same thing…LOL.
my mat is brand new and everytime i cut it just tears. dont know whats going on.am new at this
I don’t understand why on a new mat, my blade does not cut good on the right side or the right side bottom. It doesn’t matter if it is a new blade or a new mat and it doesn’t seem to matter that I make sure the paper or the cut is at least one inch from the right. I am just baffled. I can’t increase the pressure because the other cuts are just fine without leaving those little pieces on. Sometimes I can do another pass around the edge, but with many cuts, this is not good because when I increase the pressure the rest tears and the right side is fine.
Vicki, Amanda and I always brag to each other how long we’ve made our mats last. I even tend to extend them further by using tape to hold down the edges of my paper. 🙂 Nancy, try changing out your blade and using a pressure of about 16 with a blade length of 2 1/2. I use these settings for almost every kind of paper I cut. Regina, the problems you’ve described with your machine, you’ll want to get in touch with me directly via phone to further troubleshoot the issue. 866-729-9537 x1006.
Wow! I learned that one can set blade at 1/2 increments. Thanks, Tatum.
I mostly cut vinyl.
Q: What can I use to get vinyl adheasive off my mats? Also, if I make a mistake and must pull the vinyl off an item, residue will remain. Can you recommend a product that will remove the vinyl without stripping the finish off the item?
Thank You!
Hello, I am starting to work and above all to know my Pazzles and accessories, but I have noticed that my carpet is too sticky and stick cardboard is strong and hard to remove me, I can do or is it so early?
Try patting your hand on the mat before putting paper on it. The oils in your skin will help with the stickiness. You also might want to try a thicker cardstock when you are using a new mat.