? About Cricut cutting mat....

[bigbabyblues]

My cutting mat is being used all on one side, the right hand side (DUH!). The left side hasn't had any use at all. Can I put it in the opposite way? That would mean the hanger/hook/hole thing from where it was hanging in the store would go in first.

Can you do this? I don't want it to jam or anything, but I'm cheap! I do have another one but I've only used the thing 3-4 times so far. I made a mistake the first time or two and had the pressure set too high also.

Thanks!! Steph

 

[hopemax]

Yep, you can feed it both directions. I also put the paper (if I'm using something smaller than 6x12) in different areas of the mat so that the whole thing gets used, instead of just the corners.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Yep, feed that little thing in both direction so that you have even wear on the mat.. . I've made a habit of doing that and my mats lost a lot longer..

 

[Lisa]

I rotate my around too, and clean it afterward with baby wipes.

 

[Faerie]

I rotate, clean and use the middle too. Also, don't always use full sheets if you don't need them!

 

[jenr812]

Don't the babywipes wash off the sticky?

 

[ddavis860]

Nope, baby wipes get the lint off. When it's dry, the sticky is still there. I also use a lint roller to get the lint off. I use the ones from BJ's that are non-alcohol.

I also use blue tape to hold paper on mats that have lost their sticky. It works on large cut items like tags, but not so good on things with alot of detail.

 

[disneyamy]

Also, if you wash the mats under cool water and the mat protector... let them dry... they will last LOTS longer too. I also use a lint roller on mine to clear off any little stray bits of paper to help keep my mats nice and sticky.

 

[jenr812]

great tips. thanks