Without these mats, we couldn’t do the amazing things we do with our Cricut maker machine. But always knowing which mats are used for the project is not as simple as it seems. At this point, LinkedGo has three different cutting mats – LightGrip Mat, StandardGrip Mat and StrongGrip Mat. But which LinkedGo cutting mats is right for your project? Let’s talk about this and how to keep (or restore) stickiness.
Having the right adhesive cutting mat is very important to the success of your DIY project. In fact, this is my first tip in the DIY Crafts project. Use a sticky mat! Non-stick cutting mats can cause your material to slip, resulting in various types of miscuts. In addition, a sufficiently viscous cutting mat will make the paper-based material easier to remove because all the little bits stay on the mat and your item does not require weeding or fiddling.
If your project is not cut correctly, the first question you should ask yourself is: Is your mat sticky enough?
So let’s first introduce each LinkedGo cutting mat and the types of materials for which they are intended:
(A) LINKEDGO LIGHTGRIP CUTTING MAT
The LinkedGo LightGrip Mat is the go-to mat for many people. It has just the right level of grip to hold your material firmly in place during cutting, we recommends you cut the lightest materials on it—for example, copy paper (printer paper), thin cardstock, vellum, construction paper, and vinyl on the LightGrip mat. This product is expected to be launched in March 2019.
(B) LINKEDGO STANDARDGRIP CUTTING MAT
This Standardgrip Cutting Mat is our flagship product, it is the first choice for all DIY Crafts lovers, three times as many StandardGrip mats as any other types in DIY craft room! I like it best because it remains the stickiest (without being too sticky). This mat is perfect for cutting medium-weight materials, and it also has the perfect amount of grip that makes for easy removal of your material, such as cardstock, pattern paper, washi paper, and vinyl (self-adhesive, iron-on/HTV, and window cling). I still use an StandardGrip mat when I cut removable vinyl or permanent vinyl on my Cricut machine simply because those materials leave a lot of residue. In most cases, I would tell you to use this LinkedGo StandardGrip mat.
(C) LINKEDGO STRONGGRIP CUTTING MAT
We think the LinkedGo StrongGrip Mat is the least-used mat of the three, it offers a strong hold surface perfect for heavyweight materials. This adhesive’s grip is crazy. And if you use it for material that isn’t equally strong, it will tear or otherwise destroy it. LinkedGo recommends you use the StrongGrip mat for heavyweight materials such as thick cardstock, glitter cardstock, magnet sheets, chipboard, posterboard, aluminum foil, craft foam, balsa wood, and fabric with stiffener. I used the StrongGrip mat when I made these adorable photo key fobs using the faux leather cutting material.
OK, SO HOW DO YOU KEEP THE LINKEDGO CUTTING MATS CLEAN?
My first suggestion is to keep your mats as clean as you can by always putting that protective clear cover back over them when they are not in use. Your mats will still get dirty with bits of leftover material, though, so here’s what you can do:
Tips: CLEANING LINKEDGO CAMEO CUTTING MAT
- Use a scraper to remove all of the leftover materials after you finish cutting.
- Run a sticky lint roller over your mat to get the smaller bits that are hard to scrape off
- Wipe your mats down with a non-alcohol based cleaning wipe, such as a Purell wipes
- Wash the mat with water and gentle dishwashing detergent, then allow to dry.
This will keep your mats lasting longer and performing better.
Consider purchasing mats in various sizes. You can find these mats in three sizes: 12x12inch, 12x24inch and 6x12inch.
Let me know what your next DIY CRAFTS project will be? What mat do you use most often? Let me know in the comments below. Also, let me know if you have any questions about which mat to use with your mats. I’d love to hear them!