Cricut Mats - how to re-stick and can they be cut?

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I know I saw a thread on this previously but of course now that I need the information, I cannot find it. I have 2 questions regarding the Cricut mats.

1. How do you make the mats sticky again? I got my Create for Christmas but only recently started "playing" with it. I of course had to try out all my cartridges and now my mat isn't very sticky anymore and the paper is moving when it goings to cut.

2. I saw in Joann's that they had 2 sizes of replacement mats. They had the 6X12 and also the 12X12. The price wasn't much more for the 12X12 and I was wondering if I could cut the 12X12 mat in half and then I would have 4 mats instead of just 2. If this is possible it would certaily save money.

I would appreciate any additional tips on saving money as I can see this Cricut becoming an addiction!!!!

 

[hopemax]

I restick my mats with the largest ZigPen. You can get some temporary stickiness by wiping the mats down with a baby wipe after you are done with it for the day. But that doesn't usually last me long. So I will give it a good wipe, let it dry and then use the ZigPen in a very thin layer.

I wouldn't recommend cutting the mats. If you cut it in half, it wouldn't line up right with the rollers. It would be rolling in sticky, and gum up the machine. People with expressions, can get away with cutting 12x24 mats in half and getting 2 12x12, because the rollers would still go where they are supposed to go.

 

[LindaBabe]

I use quilters spray adhesive on mine. Also, it helps to press the paper really firmly to the mat, all over the surface, before cutting, even to the point of using a brayer or rolling pin on it.

 

[Lisa]

I wipe my mats with a baby wipe to get the paper lint residue off. I use the ZigGlue to make it resticky. when the mat has had it, I recycle. I cut the mats, and use them to make mini Christmas albums.

 

[gritzel4]

I use GooGone to remove all stickiness, wipe it clean with Simply Green and then use the largest Zig 2 way glue and spread a new layer of stickiness. Wait for the glue to not be blue - I usually wait a few hours.

I have recycled my old worn out mats to make mini albums and mini calendars.