Self healing cutting mat in the Big Shot

[@mariajensen1310]

Thank you so much for this quick clear demonstration, that including watching you use the die cutting machine. it answered all my questions. A lot of demonstrators have the die cutting machine off camera and didnt show the order of the sandwich they used and you did show it! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I am looking forward to trying this later on today. 😊

[@Abbie7301]

I’ve been using a score pal self healing mat with my big shot for years - works brilliantly. I but 12x12 & cut it in half then I quarter the other half for 2 6x6 pieces. No need to replace warped cutting plates ❣️

[@misstorina3]

Hello and thank for sharing. How did you cat the mat?

[@clairegagne6906]

Gosh I am so going to do this. What a gamechanger for people on a limited income!! TY so very much for sharing. Hugs

[@dbustard9825]

Thank you so much for the suggestion!! I had an old DRITZ cutting mat (#1046) that I cut two pieces out of. I then glued them together back to back and it makes a perfect cutting pad! (My husband measured the thickness with a caliper and the 2 pieces glued together are almost the exact same thickness of a sizzix cutting pad.)

[@lindaheithold1613]

I watched this youtube yesterday and had my husband cut up an old cutting mat and tested it. Works beautifully. Love it. Thank you so much for this information. I had room on my old mat for two 3.25 x 6" mats too. I originally got these small cutting plate made by Sizzix but they no longer make them. But the two mats work also. I my old cutting mat is the exact depth of the clear plates so no shims needed. I use these smaller plates/mats for most of my die cutting. No need to buy another machine to cut small dies. Most of the dies we use will fit on the smaller plates and the smaller the plate the less warping. Also by using the smaller plates they go through the BS really fast. You can cut a regular clear plate to a smaller size and use one clear plate and one mat plate. Your choice, with way works.

[@760Randy1]

What did your husband use to cut the mat? I have tried and have no luck, so would appreciate any ideas you could provide. Thank you!

[@lindaheithold1613]

He used a bandsaw but thinks tin snips or heavy duty scissors would work. A carpet knife might work but would take multiable cuts.

[@WendysCraftDen]

Hi Debbie, before i cut another mat down I tried my GoPress and foil machines' metal plate and it works great. xxx

[@florancebb3186]

Great idea, I do a lot of die cutting and I'm always having to buy new plates, so I will definitely try this. Thanks for sharing.

[@vickigoodman1614]

Thanks, Deb!! I am DEFINITELY using this from now on!! Tfs! ❤

[@kathykuhn6403]

I tried using a cutting mat and the mat warped. But it cuts amazingly as well as using a precision mat

[@bwynn3296]

Linda, that is funny. I also had my husband cut an old mat for me too. When I read your post, I thought I was reading my own post, lol.

[@brianchristie4195]

Thanks for video I cut my SHM to cuttlebug size it worked but mat is buckling but have a few old mats that i can cut up and it's still cheaper than buying plates. I live in sa and pay a lot of money for the plates our rate of exchange is horrific thanks . Regards jean

[@1tinac]

Thank you. This is fabulous information. Thanks for the demo.

[@sandy_521lakestreet]

If you wanted to have that die release on it's own try the fabric softener sheet trick, works every time for me! Thanks so much for this tip! So where can you get a self healing mat this size? Sandy

[@DebbieB259]

521LakeStreet i don't like the build up from dryer sheet on my dies and the residue it left on my die cuts affected the coloring methods i use. I did try the Walmart bag method but it was too messy... Lol

[@craftsbypwilli2664]

I need to try that with the fabric softener. 😍 Great tip!

[@scrappyLiz1]

Thx for sharing

[@CardsbyMaaike]

Once I saw the evolution machine, I tried it with a cutting mat, but mine probably wasn;t the right thickness, cos there wasn;t enough pressure. then I had to bulk it up and then it would cut into the self healing mat anyway, been trying to fins a mat that is the same thickness as my plates since a year or 4..kinda gave up ;-) glad it works for you

[@suzieq1024]

I just seen where sizzix is now marketing a self healing mat for the big shot.

[@DebbieB259]

I saw that... I been using them for years and love them

[@dianalambert5466]

So glad to see this, I'm needing a new plate.

[@veronicas-puppy]

Great tip! Thanks so much!

[@Sheilasembroidery]

Great idea. I find that my thin dies slip around when using the acrylic plates. Perhaps a cutting mat top and bottom will be more stable?

[@Kirmann63]

This is great Debbie. ..thanks....

[@jneigler]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@DeborahAdamsCreativeLife]

Just found this tutorial. This is so awesome!! Thanks for sharing. Also I just became a new subbie.

[@acadiestudio]

Brilliant!!!

[@BUNNIFER10]

Wonderful ideas but where do you get the self healing cutting mat?? Thanks Florence your video.

[@DebbieB259]

Mb Arsenault you can buy them at craft shops or order from Amazon, i bought a large one so i can cut it to the size i need, you may still need shims, depending on the die you are using, but for cost, way cheaper than acrylic plates

[@CharChar876]

Now why didn't the manufacturers think of that! LOL

[@mochi_and_me]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@WendysCraftDen]

Hi Debbie. Thank you for this video I noticed you didnt have to use shims. Would that work on all Big Shots? Thank you. Hugs xxx

[@DebbieB259]

It should, but i only have the regular size, i do have to use shims with my other cutting mat that i trimmed to fit, certain dies that are thinner i have had to shim... Can depend on the manufacturer.

[@WendysCraftDen]

I saw a you tube today using a magnetic sheet as a short time use while saving or waiting for a magnetic base plate, so that along with your idea I have lots of playtime today. Thank you once again xx

[@cindywilshire8700]

Brilliant

[@joethridge7999]

Debbie, I have the same exact Big Shot that you do. I tried to use a self healing mat in mine, but I can just push the entire sandwich right through without even turning the handle. I don't have the extended multipurpose platform, but I did use the standard plate, the thinlits die adapter plate, the bottom clear plate, the rubber mat and then the self healing mat. I tried to add another plate, but then it was too thick. Any suggestions of what type mat I need to work properly?

[@DebbieB259]

I had the same issues years ago with trying to use all the different thin dies and the original base plate, buying the multi platform made a huge difference, i know the self healing cutting mat must be the same thickness as the acrylic cutting plates, they can be hard to find, be sure and search for the thickness to be around 1/8th inch, i do have to still shim some dies.

[@elainebeard1320]

So... where did you buy the self healing cutting mat?

[@DebbieB259]

I ordered it from Amazon, i still have to shim for some dies but way cheaper and easier to use than acrylic plates that warp

[@pamelaarcos1594]

Hola can you tell us where did you buy your self healing mat? What brand is it? Thank you very much.

[@DebbieB259]

I went to Amazon and searched, i bought one the same thickness as my acrylic plate and i cut it to make 3 regular size mats and a couple small mats, on a few dies i do have to shim, but thats ok because some dies need a shim because of the details

[@pamelaarcos1594]

DebbieB259 Thank you very much Debbie. Have a great day.

[@marcelapasmore9261]

Is this a hard "plastic" type mat or 3 layered self healing mat like Olfa rotary cutting mat?

[@DebbieB259]

Its a layered self healing cutting mat

[@marcelapasmore9261]

hmmm I have a 5x7, We R memory keepers magnetic self healing mat but when I tried to cut on it, the die just left an indentation in the mat...? Oh Well, thank you :-)

[@DebbieB259]

Needs to be same thickness as acrylic plates, thin ones can be doubled to make thickness correct, or shim as needed

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Has anyone used this self-healing mat with fabric and bigz dies? I don't scrapebook, I quilt/applique.

[@DebbieB259]

It will work, you might need to shim or use a layer of text weight paper over the fabric to insure a better or cleaner cut... Especially once it becomes well used... I just cut some cotton gingham using a leaf and first cut was fair, second cut i put a piece of copy paper over the fabric then it cut perfectly

[@soniaguzman762]

will it work with the biggs dies?

[@DebbieB259]

Sonia Guzman yes ma'am, i use it with all my dies

[@christinegoetsch3843]

Debbie, how thick is your cutting mat? I don't think mine are thick enough to replace the acrylic one.

[@DebbieB259]

Christine Goetsch thos mat was the same thickness, i will be comparing to another mat i have and the one i ordered, i understand that shims work great to gain the thickness needed...

[@jeanblencoe6905]

The Olfa and Sewology (Hobby Lobby) cutting mats are not thick enough, so I'm wondering where to get one also. I'll be taking a clear plate with me next time so I can test them side by side.

[@connie8356]

Jean Blencoe Try the ones in the drafting section

[@SherryWolfe]

I tried this the other day and it did cut well but my problem was that as soon as I cut the die it immediately warped my self healing mat and warped the die cut. Are you having the same thing happen when you do yours? TIA - hugs, Sherry

[@DebbieB259]

I will/can cause some warp, mine is a bit bowed, it cuts better than the acrylic plate did.

[@lindahess4423]

Yes, mine did the same thing. Also the "self healing mats" still have the die marks/cuts that I made. Maybe others don't use the various dies as much as I do but after 5 cuts, the self-healing cutting mat was all marked up from the dies. Will it go away eventually?

[@Dania0629]

I tried this and the self healing warps and it gets marked up just as bad as the cutting mat. At first it is great but I don't think all these videos I've watched have given this technique enough test time.

[@WendysCraftDen]

Hi Debbie. I tried this today but my cutting mat was too thin and it embossed the die. I also had a magnetic shim in, I am ruining plates and keep having to buy new ones. Is there a thickness I need to look for in the mats. Thank you xx Wendy

[@DebbieB259]

Yes ma'am, the thickness must be comparable to the thickness of the acrylic plate, approximately 1/8 inch... I searched for a cutting mat of that thickness. I do still have to shim some dies tho. I have seen some use 2 thicknesses of the thinner mats to equal the 1/8th inch thickness required for cutting properly. Just be sure you don't use anything thicker than the acrylic cutting plate thickness.

[@WendysCraftDen]

Hi Debbie. Thank you for replying, I have pulled my Den apart looking for the second half of the one I use with no joy. I will cut another mat down and glue them together once i have tested them. Tanks again xx