Flatten Warped Die Cutting Plates With Hot Water

I'm tried of warped plated ruining the die-cutting experience. Flatten your cuttlebug, Gemini, big shot and other plates with hot water. I'm testing out a method that is supposed to flatten warped plates. Come see if it works. Thanks for watching. Blessings...
Frugal Crafter- • how to clean and strai...

[@2cool2bstupid]

I have a anna griffin empress mini and the plates warped after two days of use! The metal shim curved so I stopped using it. I'm grateful for this tip as I cannot continue to buy replacement plates. You are sooo right, about consumerables, the money is made by keeping a machine running. I love crafting but what I don't like is its cost!

[@tessgb9026]

Thank you for this video! I was skeptical but I tried it. I poured boiling water on a shallow pan and used 3 bricks to push the cutting plate down and left it for 3 hours and my Gemini plate is straight as can be! Thanks so much I don’t think I’ll buy another Gemini plate for a long time.

[@phiphi01]

Best tip ever. It worked first time for me last year.

[@jkelley431]

Thank you! I needed this information. I will be doing this tomorrow. I’m so happy I’ve saved my warped plates.... and I do have a few to do.

[@melissaw5812]

I have had complete success with my large Gemini plates, as well as the self healing mat. They all became flat after pouring boiling water in a shallow pan they could all lay flat in.

[@tammyandkiki]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I got a V4 machine yesterday delivered, a 9 inch opening, and after using it twice with just normal card stock, the plates were warped. So I’m boiling water right now to try! I am confident that it’s going to work.❤ I can’t seem to find plates, to fit the 9 inch as replacements or just to rotate. I’m kind of wishing I would’ve gotten a brand-name machine.

[@kylenemalone8213]

Hooray!! Thanks for the great idea! Keep it up!!

[@kristinelouisag]

Thank you so much for this! I just did this and while my plates aren’t totally flat they are so so much better!

[@connieguentner3444]

Thank you so much for testing all these plates. I have the gemini jr and really warped plates, so going to try the hot water method. I think I told you about sending the sandwich through the machine as Crafters Companion suggested and it did help. Probably because the machine gives off some heat, but boiling water would be less work. I have the mini diamond press with very thin plastic folders small dies, they warped right off the bat so might try hot water with them. Diamond press did include a coupon to get free extra plates when I bought the machine, did not notice that until a year later. Gave it a try and got those freebies, when I put in the request they offered 2 more if I would write a review, got 2 more. Think I got my moneys worth.

[@glennistrotman8421]

I'm going to try this, the large cutting plates are expensive in New Zealand and half a dozen cuts and the plates warped to hell. Even the bottom plate gets a bit warped.

[@paradisebyprincess305]

I need to try this. I do need a solution because I spend a lot on plates. Thank you for this video.

[@KathySparkle1]

You’re right, I’ve got my original Cuttlebug plates for 5 years!

[@jenniesebrasky6023]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The boiling water and a brick worked like a charm! I too love my Gemini Jr. My plates are now flat like new. You rock!

[@marionlepley2692]

My Sizzix Big Shot which I have had for about three years still has the same cutting plates, they are nearly bent in two, but somehow or other still manage to work and cut out my dies. However I have just purchased a full sized Gemini (it’s out of the box but not used yet) and I have been watching your videos on keeping the cutting plates from warping and as I have a self healing mat I am going to give it a go, wish me luck 😛😛

[@GinaLovestocraft]

Thank you for this video 💕💕💕

[@deborahallmon]

I have done this with myGemini and Empress plates. Seems to help temporarily but it needs to be done regularly. Still have to buy and have have new plates when starting a new project to get good clean cuts

[@boomartin3495]

Thanks, I will try it!

[@dorisjoyner2710]

This is how I flatten my plates I put them in a cookie sheet pour boiling water on them I place a cast frying pan on them and let them sit over night . Good luck with your exsperiment.

[@strawbrryfld1]

I’ve had HORRIBLE results with my plates for this Gemini jr. I JUST bought 2 brand new plates and one has already cracked. My plates don’t even make it through one day before they are warped. I have an Anna Griffin Cuttlebug which has been reliable. (Unfortunately I have Lupus and my arthritis is making the use of it extremely difficult.) Even though those plates warp, they have never broken on me and I’ve always been able to rotate them. I have also tried the self healing mat and have not had any luck with those. Seems they warp as well. I have also just purchased the Icraft replacement mat and it has warped as well. It seems this machine requires a “hard” baseplate for proper results. I was excited to hear about the Spellbinders wizard plates...that my next move ! Thank you for your suggestions !

[@kathymurach5125]

what can you use instead of a brick to keep the plate down? can you use a cast iron casserole?

[@leslieramsey7762]

Thank you for taking the time to show us this tip. How are you liking your Mini Empress? So far I am underwhelmed. I don't think it embosses very good. But I really like the size. Happy Crafting!!

[@MsCraftlife]

Hi Miss Biblescraps....TRy your heat gun... If you have a good one. I did that this week... they came out almost as straight as I got them. Al did this with my self healing mats. Just pay attention. Took about a minute or so.

[@anastasiasholeinthehollerc8697]

I dont understands why the plates have to be rigid. Could the same results be achieved with soft plates that are much thicker or maybe even flexible thick plates (like the flexible cutting boards you can get everywhere nowadays)?

[@cleo8665]

I used 2 bricks and it worked even better! TFS! :)

[@cristinamartinez4999]

Does anyone know how to fix or extend the life of the plastic dia folders?

[@jeanettep3642]

Just a side note: Lindsey scrubbed her plates with Dawn to get rid of cutting debris before trying to bend them. The plates were smooth to the touch even though they were scratched. She tends to maintain them with hand sanitizer. Thanks for sharing :)

[@jenspen1978]

I tried mine with heatpress after doing my heatpress work, when its already bit cooler i will put all my used cutting plates and all were flatten.just dont heatpress when its very hot or else it melts to your acrylic plates

[@kristinelouisag]

Actually I just did it a second time. I used a 9x13 pan and three bricks. They are almost totally flat now!

[@ASoulsHeartbeat]

I’ll be anxious to have you share how long the plate stay flatter, how many passes through the machine until your back where you were? I have the large Gemini and am totally disheartened with how quickly the plates warp. And I tried the rotate and flip method Sarah toots and it doesn’t make any difference. Patti

[@leslieramsey7762]

I have binder clipped mine together when not in use to keep flat. Happy Crafting!

[@cassandras1688]

I have the big shot and my plates warp terribly. I’ll try the hot water and weight method. TFS

[@colleenhathaway64]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I have this machine and I am so upset because one of my plates actually cracked in half when I was using it 😧 and I can't afford to buy anymore because I just sent my son off to college. I would love to be making so many cards and things for my friends and family but I put all my money into the machine and dies and embossing folders that I can't use now. But thank you so much for helping others out with this problem! Have a wonderful, blessed holiday!!

[@leslieramsey7762]

I don't know if you have a Plastic Shop in your area. When I lived in California there was a place called Tap Plastics, my husband had a couple shelves made for my Costco industrial shelving. Maybe a place like that could make a plate. Just give them the dimensions. Also reach out to Crafters Companion. It's possible they could replace your broken plate. Happy Crafting!

[@colleenhathaway64]

@@leslieramsey7762 thank you for your idea but unfortunately I don't think I have a place that does that and I tried to reach out to Crafters companion but they never got back to me. I will try again. I just want to make cards so bad and it breaks my heart that I have this machine and everything else but the plastic cutting plates... it's so annoying because of the amount of money we spend on these items and I feel ridiculous that I can't afford to pay for new plates 😡😡...but thanks so much for responding to my message. Have a great, blessed holiday!! And happy crafting!!

[@leslieramsey7762]

Contact the office in America.

[@colleenhathaway64]

Leslie Ramsey I tried contacting the office in America and I got no response...well, sorry...I got an email saying that they will contact me when they can because they are busy with there birthday week 🙄...I am trying so hard not to get upset and understand that they are busy but as big as the company is, you'd think they'd have someone that is able to contact me and try to help me. But thank you so much for your replies. It makes me feel so happy that someone is responding and trying to help. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

[@leslieramsey7762]

I would write a letter explaining your frustration at not being able to use your machine. I would put in the the mail, yes snail mail. A well written letter can go a long way. Explain how disappointing it is to not be able to use their excellent machine because one of the plates broke after so many uses. The plates should not break after a few uses. I really hope they can send you a replacement. It would bode well for their customer service. This is the Holiday season so they may be closed till Monday. You may not get a positive response until the New Year. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@MaestraEva]

You used less water than the Frugal Crafter did, which is a good thing.

[@zulumalo413]

My big shot plate is very bowed. Will try hot water

[@KathySparkle1]

I have the Gemini and Jr. which both are unusable. Bad design? I’ve been using self-healing mats in the Jr but they get destroyed by the machine, too. To see the way the plates and mats come out the back of the machine is the things that make you go Hmmm. The plates and mats make a vertical turn rather than horizontal. I feel like spending the money to send both machines back to the California HQ so they can bust it open to use it for parts!

[@MsCraftlife]

They were so bowed that I couldn’t get them to go through the machine and I was flipping them like they suggest. Also after they straightened I just let them cool off.

[@NessysSanctuary]

A year later and I think know why its the pressure the plates are under. Crafters Companion are coming up with better plates that can stand more of the pressure since the launch of the Pro

[@gregnsrae4689]

And yet they still have nothing a year later plus

[@silverdawnintx]

THESE COMPANIES NEED SOME PRIDE IN THEIR PRODUCTS NOT JUST MONEY AS THE BOTTOM LINE. NON WARPING PLATES ARE A MUST FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT MACHINES. I HAVE TAKEN A HEAT GUN TO HEAT THE MIDDLE OF MY WARPED PLATE AND THEN PUT IT ON THE FLOOR WITH A HEAVY BOOK ON TOP. I EVEN STOOD ON IT FOR AWHILE! THIS HELPED. NOT PERFECT, BUT A LOT BETTER.

[@createinspain]

Of course it is not in the interest of the company to give us decent plates. They want us to keep buying.

[@susie207]

PLEASE READ1111111 I have a big gemini -hate their big cutting plate- worst ever ever ever----solved my problem ---use purple plate white plate card stock for sandwich and then magnetic mate--------now I took old trash can cut out the side to fit and i'm in heaven----kid you not---used over and over again---it is not cut into and if warps it flattens it self back just by itself. or in hurry your heat gun A LITTLE1-yes hard to cut out but worth it-----I wish I could tell the whole world about this, it is too good to be true, but it is.

[@introvert22]

What kind of trash can? I'm intrigued.

[@ClearlyCards]

I don’t understand what you suggested here??????

[@cristinamartinez4999]

I wish you could explain this better.