Confused about Cricut mats?
I get it. It can be overwhelming.
Learning all about a Cricut Maker is a process. Let’s break down EVERYTHING you need to know about Cricut Mats!!
WHAT IS A CRICUT MAT?
A Cricut mat is a surface you use to cut projects on a Cricut. To create a project with a Cricut machine, you place the project medium (paper, vinyl, fabric, etc.) on the mat and then feed this mat into your machine. You need a use a Cricut mat for each project you create with a Cricut machine. If the Cricut Project you are using requires two different mediums ( for example, vinyl AND Cricut brand leather) you will need to use two different mats.
Each mat is reusable.
With the exception of Cricut 3 machines and Smart materials (more on than in a minute), you will need a mat for every Cricut Project. Cricut mats stabilize the material you are cutting. Otherwise, your materials may bunch and shift while cutting. This can ruin not only your materials but also your mat!
Trust me on this. I have real-life experience!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link in this post and purchase, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
DO I NEED A CRICUT MAT WITH CRICUT 3 MACHINES?
Yes and No.
Cricut 3 machines do not require mat with Smart materials. At the time of this writing, Smart materials come in iron-on, vinyl, and sticker paper. You can cut these materials on a Cricut 3 WITHOUT a mat. In fact, you can cut Smart materials on Cricut 3 machines well beyond the typical 12 x 24 mat!
You will need a Cricut mat with a Cricut 3 machine when using all other materials that are NOT labeled SMART. Be sure to read the labels of your materials before you start and read the directions. Cricut material directions are SUPER helpful!
In summary, with Cricut 3 machines know your materials and what you are using BEFORE you start your project.
BREAKDOWN OF A CRICUT MAT
Each Cricut mat comes with a flexible, transparent cover. This cover sticks to the mat and protects the Cricut mat in between each Cricut project.
Be sure to keep this cover and place it back over your mat after each and every project. This cover will prevent dust and other parties from sticking to your mat in between uses. Dust and dirt that stick to your mat will lessen the stickiness over time. Increase the life (and stickiness!) of your mat by placing the cover back on your mat!
In the upper corner of your mat, Cricut has labeled each Cricut mat for you. This part of the mat is not sticky. The light grip mat is blue. The Standard gip mat is green. The Strong grip mat is purple. The Fabric grip mat is pink.
Each mat is sticky in the middle portion of the mat. Notice that each mat has a one-inch square grid on the interior portion of the mat. The mat is sticky on this grid portion of the mat. You can handle the mat on the exterior portion but try not to touch the interior sticky portion of the mat with your fingers. The oil on your fingers will lessen the stickiness of your mat over time. Instead, use Cricut tools to remove material from the sticky portion of the mat.
The level of stickiness depends on the materials you use. The stronger grip mat is made for heavier material and therefore has a higher level of stickiness. The light grip mat is made for lighter materials (think paper or vinyl). Therefore the level of stickiness will not be as great as the strong grip mat.
Each mat is flexible and not rigid! Flexibility is helpful for removing material from the Cricut mat with ease. In the long run, a flexible mat protects your work!
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DO I NEED A CRICUT MAT FOR CRICUT JOY?
Like the Cricut 3 machines (see above) the Cricut Joy will cut Smart materials. For materials labeled SMART you do not need a Cricut mat. However, for all other materials, not labeled SMART you will need a mat.
Check the material before you cut.
At the time of this writing, the Cricut Joy has three types of mats.
THE CARD MAT. This reusable mat is 4.5” x 6.25” and makes customized cards in minutes. This mat is for the Cricut Joy machine only. It is compatible with Cricut Joy cards. Cricut Joy mats come with a clear cover. Be sure to keep this cover in between projects to increase the life of your Cricut Joy mat.
THE CRICUT JOY STANDARD MAT. The standard mat is green and comes in two sizes: 4.5” x 12 and 4.5” x 6.5”. It is reusable. The standard grip Cricut Joy mat will cut medium-weight materials including adhesive-backed paper and infusible ink transfer sheets. It is compatible with the Cricut Joy only. Cricut Joy mats come with a clear cover. Be sure to keep this cover in between projects to increase the life of your Cricut Joy mat.
THE CRICUT JOY LIGHT GRIP MAT. The light grip mat is blue and comes in two sizes: 4.5” x 12” and 4.5” x 6.5”. It is reusable and made with water-based adhesive. The Cricut Joy light grip mat is great for cutting lightweight materials like standard paper, light cardstock, and vellum. It is compatible with Cricut Joy only. Cricut Joy mats come with a clear cover. Be sure to keep this cover in between projects to increase the life of your Cricut Joy mat.
WHY DOES CRICUT HAVE DIFFERENT MATS?
Each Cricut mat is specifically designed to cut a specific material. It is important to make sure you are cutting the material you are working with the correct Cricut mat. Do a little research before you start! If you use the incorrect mat with your material, you can ruin your material and possibly your Cricut mat too!
Let’s break down each mat in more detail!
Each mat comes in 12” x 12” and 24” x 24”. I use the 12” x 12” for most projects but if you are looking to make bigger projects (like home decor signs) you probably want to have some 24” x 24” on hand!
The light grip mat is light blue. You can use this mat to cut paper, light card stock, vellum, and other lightweight materials including:
printed paper
thin scrapbook paper
washi sheets
wrapping paper
construction paper
The light grip mat is great for numerous Cricut Projects like party poppers, DIY stickers, and paper flowers.
The Standard grip mat is green and made for medium-weight materials. The standard gip mat is perfect for medium weight materials including:
Cardstock
Textured Paper
Embossed Cardstock
Heat Transfer vinyl (also called HTV)
Vinyl
Pattern Paper
Infusible Ink Sheets
The standard grip mat is perfect for Cricut Projects like vinyl labels, home decor signs, t-shirts, and custom tote bags.
The strong grip mat is purple and made for heavyweight materials including:
Thick cardstock
Glitter cardstock
Magnets
Chipboard
Posterboard
Matboard
Fabric with stiffener
Corrugated Cardboard
Faux leather and suede
Thinner wood
The strong grip mat is perfect for Cricut Projects like DIY Leather Earrings, magnets, cake toppers, and wood signs.
The fabric mat is pink and cuts fabrics with the Rotary blade or bonded fabric blade. The Cricut fabric mat has a light adhesive mat so it is made for a variety of fabrics. If you are an avid sewer, this mat is for you! The fabric mat can cut most fabrics including polyester, denim, felt, and canvas.
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HOW MANY MATS DO YOU NEED FOR CRICUT?
It is NOT necessary to purchase all the Cricut mats at one time. I like to purchase Cricut mats as I need them.
If you are starting out with vinyl projects, purchase a standard green or light blue mat. If you want to make leather earrings with a Cricut machine, purchase a strong grip or purple Crut mat.
Grow your Cricut mat collection over time as you learn about your machine!
Speaking of buying Cricut mats, when I first bought my machine I purchase all my mats from the local big box craft store. Where I live, this is NOT the best deal on mats. Learn from my mistakes!
I absolutely LOVE this 3 pack of mats. At the time of this writing, I have not found a better deal on mats. That being said be sure to check the Cricut website for sales and deals!
And remember Cricut Access members get 10% off any purchase from Criciut.com.
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HOW DO YOU CLEAN A CRICUT MAT?
You do want to clean your mat to ensure you get a clean cut every time. A clean mat will increase the life of your mat so cleaning your Cricut mat will save you money over time!
If you’re trying to clean a Cricut mat, you can clean a Cricut mat in 3 simple steps.
Use a scraper or lint roller to gently remove any material off your mat immediately after you finish cutting materials.
If a scraper or lint roller doesn’t work, try using alcohol-free baby wipes. Start in one corner of the mat using a circular motion until you have cleaned the entire mat.
If your mat is still dirty, use Dish soap. Apply the dish soap to the mat. Let is sit for 3 minutes. Using a soft brush, clean in a circular motion.
*** Do NOT do any of these steps above on a FABRIC MAT!***
To clean a pink Cricut fabric mat :
DO NOT use a scraper
DO NOT use your fingers to clean off materials from the mat. The oils in your fingers will affect the mat.
Use tweezers to remove materials from the mat. You don’t need to keep this mat super clean. Leave leftover threads on the mat. If you really can’t stand it, try using transfer tape to remove threads or materials from the mat after a project is complete.
It is important to know that messier materials will ruin a mat quicker than cleaner material. When working with messier materials like felt or leather, the life of your mat will not be as long as using a cleaner material like vinyl. Do your best to keep your mat as clean as possible.
When using Cricut brand leather be sure to follow the instructions on the package and cut the leather FACE DOWN. This will ensure you don’t get a lot of residue on your mat which is really hard to clean off a mat!
If you are using genuine leather, consider using transfer tape as a buffer between the leather and the mat. Not only will this keep your mat clean but will also give you a cleaner cut! Transfer tape helps hold genuine leather on the mat (we use a strong grip mat). If your genuine leather bunches or shifts when cutting, try using transfer tape.
When working with messier materials, make sure your mat is really sticky. A dirty mat will lose stickiness. When a mat has lost stickiness, materials tend to bunch and shift during cutting. Bunching and shifting will ruin your materials! It is a super frustrating process so keep your mats clean and sticky!
If you are unsure, replace it! Again, I love these 3 packs of Cricut mats. it is really great deal if you need to replace a mat.
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HOW LONG DO CRICUT MATS LAST?
A Cricut mat’s longevity depends on how frequently you use the mat and the materials you use on the mat.
The average use for a mat is 40 cuts.
However, if you are using messier materials like leather you may not get 40 cuts. It may be less. Be sure to keep your mat clean in between projects to extend the life of your mat.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN A MAT?
How often you clean a Cricut mat really depends on what materials you use for projects. Typically a mat needs to be cleaned after 40 cuts. Pay attention to the stickiness of your mat. If you notice materials shifting or bunching when cutting it may be time to clean your mat.
If you use materials like leather you will need to clean your mat more often, sometimes after 2 to 4 cuts.
Materials like paper or vinyl don’t require mat cleanings that often. Pay attention to how your mat looks and the quality of each cut. Remove leftover materials and debris from your mat after each cut with your Cricut tools. Try not to touch the sticky part of the Cricut mat with your fingers. Your fingers have dirt and oil that can make your mat dirtier. Instead, use Cricut tools.
To keep your mat clean, we recommend the following:
Keep a lint roller next to your workspace. Use it to remove materials from your mat when needed.
Scrapers are another great tool to have on hand when working with a Cricut Maker. Use scrapers to gently remove leftover material from the mat after a project is complete.
Finally, be sure to put the sheet protector on your mat after each use. A sheet protector will keep dust and other debris from getting on your mat in between projects.
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HOW DO YOU KEEP CRICUT MATS STICKY?
To keep a Cricut mat sticky you want to focus on two things. First, make sure you are using the correct Cricut mat with the correct materials. If you are using Cricut brand materials, read the instructions to make sure you place the material on your mat the correct way.
Second, keep your mat clean! Replace the cover on your mat as soon as you are done with your project. Make sure you keep your mat clean of materials after each use! Try not to touch your fingers to the sticky part of the Cricut Mat. You don’t want the oils from your fingers to touch the mat. Instead, use Cricut tools to remove materials from the Cricut mat as much as possible.
You can read so many tips on making a mat sticky again. Remember, once you attempt to re-stick a Cricut mat you will lose the warranty on your mat.
We love this 3 pack on mats. It really is a great deal especially if you are a Prime member. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning a mat, I recommend this 3 pack of mats.
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GET ACCESS TO FREE CRICUT PROJECTS!
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Get access to our library HERE and grab some of our FREE cut files for your next Cricut Project. We add new cut files regularly so grab the password and browse around for Cricut Projects.
Our free-cut files are great for new and experienced Cricut Crafters.
To learn more about our free resource library, head over HERE!
Learn about the Cricut Scoring Wheel versus the Cricut Stylus. What is the Cricut Scoring combo wheel? How do you know when to use the Cricut scoring wheel? Can you use the Cricut scoring wheel with a Cricut Explore Air? And so much more!