How To Flatten A Warped Cutting Mat: Step-by-Step Tutorial

By using a combination of heat and pressure you can straighten a cutting mat that has curled (warped) and no longer lies flat.
How to flatten a warped cutting mat
● Using a press cloth and a medium heat iron: Press both over the warped surface and the adjoining areas until the mat is hot to touch with your hands.
● Place a wooden cutting board over the warped, heated area.
● Place books or other heavy objects on top
● Let it sit either until the area cools or overnight¨
● Repeat until the mat is flat
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[@janetseager4069]

I just put it under a heavy mat on the floor and walk over it for a couple of days. Works everytime

[@devinlapointe5093]

Didnt have an iron, but i boiled water in the biggest pots i have and put them on top of paper towels on the mat. Followed the heat with a stack of books and it’s working very fast and very well!

[@innhyu]

was in the same boat, followed what you did and worked perfectly :)

[@1946sandilc]

I used my heat gun on low and added weight after to flatten. It took several tries but it worked! Just be careful to not overheat the mat it will melt!

[@alanparmenter]

Hot air worked for me: less than ten minutes to heat an A3 cutting board, heating sections to not quite 40ºC, on a steel table; also flexed the board a couple of times while it was soft. Let it cool, and it stiffened up, flat as a pancake.

[@nancyhunter5819]

Last year I moved from one apartment to another. Of course my family helped. In the process of moving someone had took my mat and just put it in the van and let me tell you it was bent in the middle and the the corners. I thought I had to through it out. I decided to go and lay it in the sun after the initial chock wore off. I left it out for about 2 hrs and checked it. It still was a little out of place. After another hour it was right back where it was. I was so happy. Mine looks like the size you have. I brought it back in and payed it on my cutting table and left. I checked it the next morning and it was ok. Try it you may not have to leave yours out as long as you got most of the bulge out

[@Thelaststitch]

The sun method seem to be very effective indeed, happy to hear it worked so well for you too!

[@dirgniflesuoh7950]

The effectiveness of sunshine might depend on the latitude and time of year?

[@vikmatus519]

i just happen to have a warped mat. i am going to give this idea a shot. thank youso much .

[@madelaine3209]

Wow, I never thought I would be able to repair my matt. What a valuable video. Thank you!!!!!!!!

[@susanroome5020]

You are so wonderfully thorough! Thank you for sharing

[@thomasfoley3566]

This worked out perfectly! Thanks for the tips.

[@gordon6404]

Thanks. Great little break down of ideas. Hadn't thought of wetting it. Worked a treat. It in the shower then iron, heat and pressure.

[@zjedinite]

Makes total sense, gonna try this on rolled cork sheet. It should work as well. TKS!

[@wvbassassassin]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@tanyaellis5433]

Wow I hope I can do this with my cutting mat. I did originally use an iron on the mat that is why it went wavy coz I didnt know I had done that. I will defo try tomorrow. Thank you xx

[@stitchdancing8041]

Stort tack för hjälpen! Verkligen! 😀

[@nancypietrulewicz5513]

Thank you for sharing this great fix!

[@vicsachiriboga5547]

Thank you. I kind of figured it was something so simple as to apply heat, heat is was did it for me, I made the mistake of ironing on my cutting mat.

[@myralorraine]

Great idea Johanna! If that ever happens to my mat, I will definitely give it a try thank you so much for sharing! 🤗🥰

[@Thelaststitch]

Fingers crossed it never happens to your mat, but at least there is a solution!

[@equus22]

Perfect timing for this video! I have 2 mats that I warped, and couldn't figure out how to fix them. Tack!

[@doodictimagineanything1959]

thanks for the tips and encouragement!

[@womanateeetee8882]

You have some of the MOST helpful videos on youtube!! Thank you!

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you! That means so much to hear 😊

[@joellacrouch3829]

Great idea thank you.

[@ronaldann8729]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@ednamuniz3207]

I love KZbin but I think I love you more because I did not expect to find that my mat could be fixed. You explained it so well and gave different ways to fix it. I live in south Texas I’m going to try the sun fix first. Then the iron if it’s necessary. I was using my wool ironing mat on top of my mat that’s what warped it. Many many thanks to you. I’m so happy now.

[@deanalovessewn6117]

Hi Johanna!! Wonderful vlog.. I’ve been lucky so far & haven’t ran into this situation.. If I do I will for sure try your method.... 💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵

[@heidefries1825]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Good to know there is a potential fix if my mat ever begins to warp.

[@Thelaststitch]

Fingers crossed it never happens, but it's very reassuring that we can save our precious mats!

[@neldamurray4357]

I have very small cutting mat only 12x18 was badly warped on one corner. I took all your tips, and seriously within moments I was done! he's not so expensive especially for somebody like me who has no budget, so I greatly appreciate your video! THANK YOU!

[@nancysnyder125]

I had a very warped self healing mat and I tried the iron but it was a pain to get it flat. I decided to leave it outside on my patio glass table on a hot day. I left it all day and to my amazement it is as flat as a board. Hope this helps someone else. I do use the iron method with my small cutting mats that I use in my gemini fabric cutting machine, I have to add the ones I use are super thin, and the iron works great.

[@raulpollomortri7001]

Thank you very much for the tip! I just ordered a pack of mats from AliExpress, and all of them came very warped and bended, i bought them for my Cameo, they are very thin and i was afraid of using the iron. I'm gonna give It a try.

[@nancysnyder125]

I have some small thin mats that I use in my cutting machine its a gemini for quilting fabric. What I do with these is turn the steam high on my iron place a towel over the cutting mat then heat it until it is floppy. After this I place it on a hard flat surface and place a book with a 5 lb weight on top and it will cool flat as a board. I hope this helps and I have heated these small mats at least 10 times.

[@raulpollomortri7001]

@@nancysnyder125 thank you very much for the tip! I'll Let you know how It works for me. Btw the mats i have are Aibecy 12" for Cameo 3

[@charlinegiroud9872]

Glad you fixed it!! It could help to do it on the other side, it how I fixed mine using the same method.

[@Thelaststitch]

That's a great tips!

[@soniaojeda5019]

Thank you, thank you , thank you❣

[@MajitoBoo]

Hello over there! Today I have received my new cutting mat with the big surprise that was rolled by the middle!!! Looking for this tutorial that I have thought it was excellent and helpful... I get notice that while watching was the notebook over the mat and generated heat during a short time that give some flexibility at it. With some books I hope to recover it. Thanks for your video!

[@lynettecarey5066]

Thank you so much, i tried this and it worked a treat, i closed it in my heat press to flatten it, ( not turned on of course) lol, as i don't have anything heavy enough to place on top

[@amy.5351]

What a relief that this is fixable!!! I just warped my mat by ironing on top of it (d’oh!).

[@ednamuniz3207]

I did the same thing and was so close to crying because it took me a couple of years before I was willing to pay the $30 to get one this size one, 24x 36. It is so hot down here in South Texas I’m going to try the sun fix first.

[@makingitthrough190]

I had my cutting mat standing up but not fully supported to it warped over time. I just seem to avoid that section when I’m cutting but may be I’ll be brave and give one of these methods a try. Thanks!

[@CM-8888]

The perfect video for me, happened to my mat too!

[@ericagdesigns]

HOLY MOLY that worked amazing!!!! Thank you for this! I tried a heat gun, but it wasn't working. The iron was the best

[@amyjohoppins1087]

I note this clarification has NOT been made but, there are different kinds of mats that require different modalities to unwarp. Fiskars requires the cold press using something like frozen cooking sheets. Janome's material says to use heat. IDK of other materials but that hits on two of them. Know your mats' producer/company of origin and check their FAQs before applying heat as it can be damaging. If yours doesn't have the name clearly visible on the mat, then try the cold method first as cold does not cause damage. Of course, apply stacks of weights [such as books as she shows] for days to maintain flatness. Remember to store your mat flat; under the bed is a great place.

[@polycosta9179]

Thank you soooo much!!!

[@xstarfruitx]

So grateful for this, thank you for making this video! I was thinking my mat was useless now!

[@nancyhume9956]

Good idea to flatten the mat. Mine also has a short tear which I hopefully fixed by taping over the tear on the underside of the mat with gaffers tape, which looks like duct tape, but isn’t as sticky.

[@ProudGrammaMe]

I tried this method on my Unique brand cutting mat that had been warped by an overheating laptop. I thought it was ruined. I tried this method. Oh my goodness, it worked perfectly after only one try. I left it with heavy books on it after the heating process. After on 2 hours it was as good as new. Thank you so much for this video. I’m now trying it with a Fiskars cutting mat. 👍🏻

[@allyettiene1730]

I will give it a try as my mat is warped on one end making it difficult to use. Thank you for this tip.

[@Thelaststitch]

I hope it works for you too, and it really should since I think all mats are created the same way, just do it carefully and repeat until it's flat 👍

[@shalinisudhakar]

It is very helpful really😅

[@MariSews]

I’ve got a pretty wavy large mat. I think I’m going to give it a go with sun light and if that doesn’t work, I’ll be using your method!

[@Thelaststitch]

Yes, I've gotten several people telling me it helped. But be careful that it doesn't curl more, I think adding weight might be helpful

[@kellysaderholm6741]

I love so much that you used the Chicago Manual of Style for one of your books! That thing is heavy indeed! Thanks for this video, it is very helpful.

[@fredroberts3087]

I like that.

[@cheriwilliams7001]

Thank you for this video. I was using my wool ironing mat while quilting and I did not realize the wool mat was on the lower half of my cutting mat while ironing my quilt pieces and the steam from ironing warped my cutting mat. I purchased a new one before seeing this video. I am certainly going to give try as I never threw the mat away. If this works I will not only have learned a valuable lesson about not allowing heat near my cutting mat but I will have learned how to save a mat. 😀

[@bettymatlock5805]

I warped mine using a wool pressing mat too. I didn't even think about that steam warping my mat. Going to try the boiling pot/iron methods because at this point I don't have much to loose.

[@elliemcgettigan4366]

@@bettymatlock5805 I sorry to say, that I am happy to see that I wasn't the only one to have my cutting mat under my wool pressing mat. I'm going to start with a warm sunny day and if that does work; I'll move onto one of the other tips.

[@ViviCicioni]

Mine is very damaged I hope I can fix it😊thank you good tip

[@runswithscissorsfull]

I have the same sewing book! Haha

[@cbjk2929]

I live in Texas and when mine got warped in the car I just left it on my porch and it worked perfect.

[@maryannratcliffe7859]

I found a faster and easier way to do it. My mat is rather large too. I put the it in the oven... I had to curl the sides a bit so it would fit, and the oven door didn't quite close. Then I turned oven on pre-heat to the LOWEST temperature I could (170 degrees). When the pre-heat timer went off, (4 MINUTES, 15 SECONDS) it was perfect temperature. Any longer and it would have started melting. With oven mitts, I took it out and aid it on a piece of wood (particle board). I happen to have a moveable hearth in front of my fireplace and placed that on top of the mat, but I'm sure a stack of books would do. When I checked it in half an hour and it was cool and flat but I don't think I had to wait that long.

[@mzelster]

how about a heat press? i have one for t shirts and was wondering if thatll work for my warped healing pad any thoughts

[@ninaev2]

Great tips! What size is your mat? I have two A3 mats but it creates a ridge where the two meet and it’s not ideal flat surface as I would like. Is there a link you can share to this one you have? Thanks in advance 😊

[@stardomee]

mine arrived slightly wavy (despite being brand new) so I put a heavy lamp on it that did the trick

[@nanachavis]

Would a hair blow dryer work better ? Mine got warped because I had my mini iron on a rubber Mat setting on top of it. Hope it work tomorrow.

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Would turning the mat over before heating it, then put the board and weights on the board, work?

[@robertblack7352]

I used a space heater placed on the floor 6 inches from the warped area for an hour then placed a wooden board with an iron skillet on top overnight. Worked great but my mat is no where near as large as yours.

[@antonnewton1534]

My Matt got warped because I put a heating pad on it but I didn't think it would be hot enough 2 warp the mat so I think I'm going to try to use the heating pad and weights to try to flatten it

[@cressidaaaaa]

Can you link where your purchase your large mat please

[@DinovanderMerwe]

What caused mine to warp in the first place was I accidentally left mine on the kitchen table in direct sunlight all day. I’m so OCD and I can’t rest until it’s flat again. Will definitely try the iron. Please don’t let me ruin it and make it worse than it is. Ha ha

[@eviforopoulou]

This hapened to my mat whitch is a small one when I accidently ironed something over it! I used the same method right away but I ironed the under side of the bum! If yours isnt glued on the table justs turn it over and do the same method! It will be absolutely flat!! Good luck!!

[@Thelaststitch]

That's awesome to hear! I did get that tip but forgot to try it, sounds like it's more effective!

[@eviforopoulou]

You did ok to do it from the one side but you should firstly iron it from the opposite side so that the bum that will occure neutralizes the damage!!

[@wendyhedgcoth522]

I don't have a iron can I put it in the dryer

[@bellaswan1459]

have to try it on my mom's. Don't want to toss it as I only have several things after she passed years ago.

[@BADRUBULDURA]

🙂🙂🙂

[@AnnaB-oo5bd]

What size is this cutting mat? I cannot find a mat as large as this one!

[@chodeshadar18]

Looks to be about 18X24. I'm sure if you can't find one locally, you can order it online from any good art supply store like Dick Blick or Michael's!

[@conorhulgraine]

I have the same problem I'm so disappointed in my mat why are they making mats that are not tolerant to heat from the sun?? The mat is always going to be beside a window for light it's crazy that they can't make a mat that just stays flat

[@jessicaoconnor6704]

Tried and did not work. Corners just won’t flatten out and now have bubble Ugh

[@cossok12]

I had my brand new mats from the box under very heavy items for 5 weeks and it made zero difference. I ended up having to replace them.

[@magdalenaalenar5705]

Did it happened all of a sudden, or it was over a long period of time?

[@Thelaststitch]

It was a gradual thing, first it started at one spot and then I got another bend a bit later on, not sure what caused it, some say the mat being too close too heat (iron, sun etc) can be a culprit and moisture can also be factor

[@MooSaidChicken]

Protip for prevention: DON'T use a laptop, or device, that tends to run hot atop the surface. Mine warped when I was using my laptop for 3d modelling and intensive uses, which gets very hot on the bottom.

[@vikmatus519]

arent they collecting data for their country?

[@tracyfrost]

I don’t think the sun is good for these mats

[@Thelaststitch]

Yes it sounds contraproductive and a bit risky, but I've had a few commenters say it helped

[@gillianwhaites5974]

What can you lose? A warped mat is useless so give the sun a go. In an Australian summer on a hot day, you wouldn’t leave it more than a couple of hours!