Cricut Magnet Advice

[shannonetherton]

I was going to post this in the DiSigns but I had a feeling you guys would know! I want to make mickey magents for my door using my cricut. Do you guys reccomend using the magnet sheets and colored paper glued together before cutting or simply cutting the image twice once in colored paper and once with the magnet sheet? I am leaning toward the latter but I know someone has done it so it would not hurt to ask! I was considering actually making the magnet image a tiny bit larger in order to create a black border for the colored mickey head. I know this sounds pretty basic and I usually just mess around with my cricut until I get what I like but since the magnetic paper is so pricey I thought it best to ask first! thanks
Shannon

 

[clten]

I did it cutting the patterns twice. You need to go at a deeper depth to cut the magnets. And if you do that, sometimes it tears the paper. I found it less frustrating to just cut it twice. Good Luck.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I was going to post this in the DiSigns but I had a feeling you guys would know! I want to make mickey magents for my door using my cricut. Do you guys reccomend using the magnet sheets and colored paper glued together before cutting or simply cutting the image twice once in colored paper and once with the magnet sheet? I am leaning toward the latter but I know someone has done it so it would not hurt to ask! I was considering actually making the magnet image a tiny bit larger in order to create a black border for the colored mickey head. I know this sounds pretty basic and I usually just mess around with my cricut until I get what I like but since the magnetic paper is so pricey I thought it best to ask first! thanks
Shannon

Hi Shannon! It's Kimberly, from your meet thread

I don't have a cricut so I'm not able to give advice specifically to that, but...

we cruised for the first time on dcl back in April and I had made all kinds of magnets using magnetic paper, and you're right, it is pricey!!!

what i did this time, and I actually like the result better, is to print my magnets on cardstock, then laminate the cardstock and put magnetic tape on the back. It's cheaper and I really like the look. Could you use cardstock with your cricut? I got the laminating sheets from amazon, 50 sheets for $20 (the same brand - fellowes - was $10 for 10 sheets at staples! ).

Anyhow, just thought I'd share what we are trying this time. Have fun making your door magnets, however you decide to do them!

 

[LindaBabe]

I second the poster who recommended cutting the shapes from cardstock and sticking a magnet on the back. There's a lot of waste when cutting magnetic sheet, making it expensive, and it's a problematic procedure at best.

 

[owensamo]

Third vote for cutting cardstock, laminating, and gluing magnets to the back. I actually save all of the magnetic extra bits from punch-outs (like magnetic paper dolls and doll houses, magnetic game pieces, etc) and cut those up and glue the scraps. That makes the magnetic "paper" free! All those free advertising magnets can be reused this way as well.

I've also heard you can get business card magnets at Staples relatively inexpensively. I might be going this route later this year.

The other thing I've done in the past is run my magnets through my Xyron with magnetic paper. I then have to cut around the magnet, but it laminates and magnetizes the design all at once. The Xyron magentic cartridges aren't particularly cheap, though.

Amanda

 

[laniesmom33]

We leave on the Wonder on Sunday and I also used my cricut to cut mickey heads out in different colors and plan on taking them to be laminated today (nothing like waiting till the last minute!) I used the magnet paper for some of my magnets, but really wasn't crazy about it (or the price) so I am just going to get some of the strip magnets that I can cut into sizes I need for the back.

 

[shannonetherton]

Thanks guys this is awesome!! Paper I have running out of my ears so this is perfect! I think my husband can laminate them at the office so WHOOOO HOO for cheap magnets!
Kimberly let me know if you want some and I will bring extra. The cricut can cut all day long with the touch of a button! I am a technology freak and I just ordered the cricut gypsy to customize shapes! I see very cool magents in my future!
Amanda I did not know xyron had a magnetic laminate sheet now. I do love my xyron but you are right is is pricey but darn convenient! I was actually thinking of having my husband laminate the paper and then use the cricut to cut from there but I was not sure if the laminate would seperate if you cut it after running it through the machine.
You guys have me thinking of more fun stuff we can do. I really want to do it up right since it is Christmas!! thakns
Shannon

 

[owensamo]

Shannon - I just realized you're on our cruise!! Apparently I'm none too swift when I've been awake for 14 hours already, and have slept 2 out of the last 24!

I'm not very adept with my cricut yet - I haven't gotten the knack of getting the pressure and depth and speed right to cut all different thicknesses of stuff, but I'm learning and experimenting. If you want to laminate, and want to cut the laminate with the cricket, I'd probably cut out the shapes the size you want them, have them laminated, then cut out the laminate a 1/4 inch larger. That way you'll leave some of the laminate to "seal" around all the edges.

If the laminate is adhesive, before you cut the laminate, take the corner or a ruler and go all the way around the paper to get the adhesive to stick together as close to the paper as possible. That should make it less likely to come off. Some adhesive laminates are only adhesive on one side, which means if it comes apart, you'll have the laminate on one side (hopefully the front!) only.

If it's a heat-seal laminate, you need to make sure you leave about a 1/8 inch margin all the way around the edge of the paper to make sure that it remains sealed. If the seal comes open, the plastic will come off the paper as it's not adhered to the paper at all (just the plastic on the other side).

As for the Xyron, I have a 5" model that has had magnetic cartridges since I got it (it came in a pack with a "sample" cartridge of each type - 2-sided laminate, 1-sided laminate + Magnet, repositionable adhesive and perminent adhesive). I usually only by refills with a 40% off coupon from Michael's or AC Moore.

I'm a technology nut myself, and I love my cricut. I just wish I had more time to play with it so I can get good! Maybe you can give me some pointers during the meet.

Amanda