Alternative Non Warping Plates for Gemini Die Cutting Machine

Eliminate, minimize, and/or reduce warping and bowing of die cutting plates/mats with my custom sandwich. In this video I share two sandwich, one for regular wafer die and the other for intricate wfer dies. Please explore and experiment with your shims to find a sandwich suitable for your needs. Use my affilate links at no cost to you. Links below. Thanks for watching. Blessings....
Please use with caution and at your own risk as you could void your warranty and/or damage your dies and/or machine. I will continue to use these plates and provide periodical updates.
Sizzix Precision Plate-amzn.to/2SYvaIN
Sizzix Big Shot Cutting Plates-amzn.to/2RJ5nTA
25 sheets - (20 mil) 8 by 10- amzn.to/2hsx4mv
10 Sheets - (20 mil) 8 by 10 -amzn.to/2hsIhU3

[@MaryPoggemann]

I just ordered my Gemini. I watched your video and now I am worried about plates. My Big Shot plates were warping and someone gave me the tip to switch sides every time and that really helped. I am still on the same set of plates that came with my original machine 3 years ago. I ordered the Gemini because a shoulder injury makes die cutting and embossing folders a misery. Thanks so much for your tips! Really appreciate your enthusiasm.

[@MariaNyceDesigns]

Thank you so much for sharing your time and information on non warping plates for Crafter’s Companion Gemini Jr. , I will try a few things out along with the two Sissix plates. Blessings!

[@altamoab]

Oh my gosh thank you thank you thank you! I have the larger size Gemini. Tried to use my big shot plates and the machine would not even try to take it. I must be doing something wrong. I will try again tomorrow. I subscribed to your channel tonight. Thanks again for sharing with us!

[@doramather4729]

You can get your plates to fatten out your putting the clear plate on a cookie sheet then pour hot boiling water on it and put a heavy pot full of hot water on top of plate for 20 minutes. Then after 20 remove plate and put on a cutting board for 20 minutes with a heavy item. You plate will be clean and flatten ready to use. You will get paper dust from the plate.. it works 💪 🥰😍

[@rosynewlun1345]

Thank you for this research! I have had such a headache trying to figure out what on earth will actually cut intricate dies with the Gem Jr. I bought it in December and it drives me batty! I will get two more of the Precision Plates. Woohooo. Please let it work!

[@craftter1]

I definitely want to try this sandwich. I also. Store my plates underneath my gemini jr and that also helps with the warping I guess the weight of the machine kind of presses the plates somewhat back into shape.

[@ruthtrehuba6804]

Thank you! Thank you! for doing all the leg work! I will share your video with my friends who like me are tired of warping plates! Many blessings and keep the videos coming :)

[@barbarawhite2245]

I loved this video, so informative. And you are a ray of sunshine ☀️.

[@ruthportway5198]

Thank you, I have 3 different machines and that doily die is so difficult to cut in all of them. I will experiment more TFS

[@christinethompson8899]

Hi, good tips -- here is another one I have the normal gemini die cutting machine - I use one cutting plate and the white plate from a Grand Caliber place the die to be cut on the white plate and cover with the clear Gemini plate this works with all dies. Keep turning the clear plate as the white one will not warp. Hope this helps.

[@sharon94503]

The chrome precision plate is even better than the black one.

[@sharimiller2315]

Love your tips thanks for always sharing

[@scrapbookingforlife]

LOVE Love Love 💘 this! Hugs and God Bless!

[@tinacostner3069]

You can also keep feeding the Gemini plates in the machine flipping them around and they do straighten out but they seem to be not very strong. I’ve also seen people use the self healing cutting mats instead of the cutting plate. I’m going to try that till I can get sizzix plates.

[@MyCraftyCarousel]

Thank you so much for this❤️❤️

[@madhatterscrafts1233]

Wow, Fantastic, Thank you

[@Firestarter078]

Thanks for sharing such helpful advice and all the testing! On a separate note....is there something wrong with KZbin you got tons of watchers but no thumbs up? I left you a thumbs up let see if it stays. I ask because I have been to other channels that are having an issue. So wondering.

[@so2sassy]

were can we get a piece of that metal that you used ?

[@rikkishowell8339]

Thanks for this helpful info. Rx

[@smeeagain7114]

Could you please tell me if I need to buy two precision plates for the Gemini Jr.? Thank you so much for answering!

[@4551mac]

I started using a used dryer sheet and found the dies cut clean and perfect. Place the dryer sheet against the die, then the paper/cardstock to be cut, and put it in the sandwich. I learned this trick from someone on you tube.... sorry, can't give credit as I do not recall who posted it... works great for me. I cut one sheet to fit the die - the you tube suggested using several NEW sheets, but the used one works fine. thank you for sharing your sandwich...I think I'll invest in a Sizzix precision plate - I bought my Gemini Jr at the launch and have had to replace the plates several times. I do flip and turn with every cut... and I also cut daily...so it gets a lot of work.. Thanks again.. Love your videos !!

[@libbyz.g.8411]

Very cool👍🏼

[@traceybartlam5940]

I do feel that the sandwich sometimes quoted is too much. I don’t need as much of a sandwich and that means less pressure and less warping. Still on my original plates over a year later! (Massively scratched though 😂)

[@tarabeard]

What can I use to just replace one of the clear plates?

[@luv2craftcards]

Your are brave to try different method of cutting wit the plates. maybe you gave CC an idea to change the plating system.

[@biblescraps]

I'm loving my sandwich so far. I surely hope they do and that would inspire other companies to do the same. Blessings...

[@eh2179]

biblescraps as you mentioned in your video, they most likely won’t make stronger plates as it’s a regular income for them. We need to get the word out about your discovery to all users so that they stop buying the ‘official’ plates and maybe CC will create their own stronger ones. I have the large Gemini & a CC demonstrator I watched used the Jnr sized plates in her Gemini to save time (the big A4 plates take longer to go through & when you only have 1 die to cut it’s time consuming), so I bought the Jnr plates. Wish I’d seen your video sooner, as would have used the money to buy a 2nd precision plate instead (I already have one as still have my Big Shot). Thanks for the excellent video! Merry Christmas x

[@CraftyMomma05]

Grat ideas--but be aware if anything happens to the machine while using different plates than what came with it, it will void any Warranty or replacement from the company.

[@ansarlyric]

If you clean the old paper out the die it will cut better

[@TheGrandmashand]

Thanks for sharing! I have the large Gemini which I don’t really like. However, I really like my AG Empress her plates warp really fast 😩. You mentioned that you have the Big Shot Pro so do I and I can’t get my sandwich right using Accucut dies. Would you please do a demonstration using BSP with Accucut dies?

[@sweetsarah9702]

Rosemary, I have been wanting the large Gemini, so am curious as to why you dont like yours.

[@TheGrandmashand]

Sarah Saulsbery I didn’t like how much room it took up on my craft table, the plates and magnetic shim warped quickly and they are very expensive to replace. Plus the cut quality is very good, but not the embossing quality! I really like my Anna Griffin’s new cutting machine, my Vagabond, Fiskars Fuse huge cutting machine (my favorite) and the Big Shot Pro. I have many cutting machines and the Gemini is my least favorite.

[@sweetsarah9702]

I was just wanting an electric one because of my arthritic hands.

[@TheGrandmashand]

Sarah Saulsbery o I see what you’re saying ☹️ well, the large Gemini or the Anna Griffin’s machine would work great for you. Have a fantastic crafting New Years!

[@carolyncormier8402]

Thank you. You answered my question for using sizzix plates. Gemini jr. plates do not last at all.

[@shannonmay6205]

Have you tried yet?

[@sydneygriffin4758]

Great ideas but I'm anxious to know where you found the small green cutting mats, please.

[@1Cheribaby]

Sydney Griffin ...the small green cutting mats are from cutting larger self healing mats to fit into whatever did cutting machine you are using. My cuts are always perfect when using self healing mats...and they don’t warp!

[@debbietramundanas6518]

I found the 6x8” green cutting mat at Michaels, in the quilt making supply area. The price was $6.99 and I used a 50% off coupon. Hobby Lobby sells them too but they are $7.99 there.

[@babskara3911]

Am sorry but i did try the same healing mat you used and it jammed my machine as i saw similar video saying it works. Its rubbush. I also trued the big shot plates and that didnt work either. The only think that helps warping Gemini plates is let them sit in boiling hot water for about 30 to 45 minutes in a wide baking tray. Dont waste money buying other plates in my opinion!

[@dgmlmax]

What is the difference between you 2 sizzix precision plates, one is black rubber and the other backing is metal? Are they the same type of plate or 2 different types?

[@janinemarie631]

Hey sizzix is funny. Honestly I don't think that it's fair to us. So the first precision base plate was the one with the foam then came the metal she has which they quickly got complaints about since it started rusting even in the package without use on the hooks at MIKE'S, so now last year at some point without much talk about it they release the CHROME PRECISION PLATE. Yeah crazy at $29.99 each not nice

[@SylviaCarlock]

Can you use these Sissix plates to cut fabric on the Gemini?

[@biblescraps]

Indeed. Also, I have a couple of updated videos you can check out as well. Blessings...

[@annewoia586]

You can also use a Self Healing Mat - Cut it to size of your plate - Works Great especially on the intricate design dies just one roll through

[@naturalnanat9256]

She did @4:15

[@beckysalazar7841]

Becky Salazar liketoworkathome

[@katev.b.2785]

I use the original and ever I turn around my plates and all is okay are okay ...

[@biblescraps]

Great to know Kate. Blessings...

[@opal777]

I have been using WRMK small cutting mats that I buy at Tuesday Morning for a song and it is already the perfect size for the Gemini JR. In case anyone else wants to try it, keep in mind that there is already a metal shim inside of the mat. It has saved a lot of wear and tear on my reg. plastic plates. However....if you have bowed plates...do not use the WRMK mat because it will bow right along with the clear plate. Here is the thing though. Once the WRMK mats wear out...and they will if you cut like I do....rip the layers apart and you will have a metal shim. It will be ultra sticky though because of the glue...you can either use denatured alcohol to get it off.....or......I finally got tired of using that and just stuck deli paper on both sides and cut off the excess....and it is an extra shim. If I had metal snips, I would make embellishments with it....but I don't have those snips...might have to buy a pair though.

[@opal777]

I almost forgot.....I had some bowed plates and just today decided to try the fix that I have seen on You Tube. I got my 9X13 glass cake pan out and wrapped the inside in aluminum foil. I pre-heated my oven for 350 degrees. I popped one of the bowed plates into the aluminum wrapped glass dish and then poured water into it about an inch high. I put a panini weight on top of the bowed plate and stuck it all into the oven. I left it in there for about 5 minutes and then pulled it out. The original video that I had seen said 40 minutes. After 5 minutes, it was flat! I took it all out of the oven, used a POTHOLDER to take off the panini weight, used a spatula to remove the plate to a flat board and popped the second plate into the dish....and then USE A POT HOLDER to put the panini weight on top because it is super hot. (I forgot that step...DUH!....and have two blistered fingers) ....another 5 minutes...and then I noticed that the first one was still a little bowed on one corner. I popped it on top of the first plate and put the panini weight on top for a couple of more minutes. Both were fusing together!! I had to hold them with the pot holder and pry them apart with the spatula...what was I thinking?! But they did pry apart and were bowing over both sides of the spatula....but flattened again when dropped onto the flat surface. So that 40 minutes would have made a real mess had I listened to that. I figure that it saved me $20 in replacement plates....but I have blisters as a result....LOL. But I already had an aloe plant in the front yard and used it immediately and now one blister is no longer white....but the color of my skin and the other is still white. I heal fast though....no worries. USE A POT HOLDER!!!!! LOL