A cutting mat is part of the cutting plotter's basic equipment. If you want to process very different materials, it makes sense to have several different cutting mats. The four different Cricut cutting mats are coated with a water-based adhesive with varying degrees of adhesion. This prevents the materials you are cutting from slipping during the cutting process. Cutting mats with different levels of adhesion are recommended for different materials. The thicker and tougher the material, the stronger it should adhere to the mat. This is why the cutting mats are available in three different categories.
Light
The LightGrip cutting mat has been developed for a variety of light materials and is therefore ideal for standard paper, light cardboard, parchment and much more.
Standard
The StandardGrip cutting mat has been developed for a wide range of medium-weight materials and is therefore ideal for heavy cardboard, textured paper, foils, thermal transfer films and much more.
Strong
The StrongGrip cutting mat was developed for heavy materials. Use it for heavy cardboard, rubber, magnetic foil, wood (veneer), passe-partout, leather and reinforced fabrics.
Cards
If you want to design cards frequently, it is worth purchasing the Cricut Card Cutting Mat 2x2. It offers space for up to 4 cards and is suitable for various card types, including insert cards and adhesive cards. Whether it's a birthday card, thank you note, greeting card or greeting card. Design each card individually - even in a single pass on the four available spaces on the mat.
You can significantly extend the life of your cutting mat - especially the adhesive strength of the coating - by observing the following: Always cover the adhesive side with the protective film when you are not using the cutting mat. This will prevent dust, textile fibers and pieces of paper from accumulating on the adhesive side and reducing the adhesive strength. Also use tweezers, small spatulas and other suitable tools to remove the cut-out parts without touching the mat. This prevents damage to the adhesive layer and avoids getting dirt or grease on the adhesive layer with your fingers. Dust should also be removed from the materials you are cutting before placing them on the cutting mat.