Cricut - which mat to choose?

The mat is essential for cutting paper and other materials that do not have a backing. Before you start cutting, you need to stick the prepared material on it. This will ensure that it is properly immobilized during the operation of the machine. Mats have different applications mainly depending on the strength of the adhesive covering them. However, this is not a rule, as I will discuss shortly.

Standard mats

Standard mats are ideal for cutting paper, thin cardboard and film. The adhesive may prove too strong for projects made of delicate materials like tissue paper or very thin paper. On the other hand, it will not hold fabric and thicker materials firmly enough.

In our store you can buy mats in 30x30cm, 30x60cm - compatible with Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Explore One, Explore Air 1, Explore Air 2 and Explore 3 plotters and dedicated for Cricut Joy plotter in 30.5cm or 16.5cm length.

Mats with weak glue

For cutting in tissue paper, transparencies or thin papers, a mat covered with weak glue will work best. this will allow even openwork designs to retain their shape and prevent tearing and stretching of the delicate design taken off the mat.

The mats with weak adhesive are available in our store in 30x30cm, 30x60cm sizes. They are suitable for Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Explore One, Explore Air 1, Explore Air 2 and Explore 3 plotters. There is also a mat suitable for Cricut Joy plotter with a length of 30,5cm.

Mats with strong glue

If you want to cut straight cuts from fabrics without backing with a rotary blade, a pink mat with strong glue is ideal. Thanks to the fact that the mat is made of harder plastic, it is resistant to the pressure of the blade and holds the fabrics glued to it firmly enough.

You can buy fabric mats from us in 30x30cm and 30x60cm sizes. The mat fits Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Explore One, Explore Air 1, Explore Air 2 and Explore 3 plotters.

Mats for cards

For those who are mainly involved in cutting greeting cards and invitations, a mat dedicated to this type of work will be a great solution. Especially if you use ready-made card bases. The mat has pockets into which the back half of the card should be inserted, and then closed so that the front is on top. This way the plotter will make a cut on the front side. This saves space on the mat and you can cut as many as four cards at once!

The mats are available in sizes compatible with the Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Explore One, Explore Air 1, Explore Air 2, Explore 3 plotters, and in a format suitable for the Cricut Joy, with room for one sheet.

The card mat can be used to cut paper with dimensions of:

• R10 – 3.5 in x 4.9 in (8.9 cm x 12.4 cm)

• R20 – 4.25 in x 5.5 in (10.8 cm x 14 cm)

• R30 – 4.5 in x 6.25 in (11.4 cm x 15.9 cm)

• R40 – 4.75 in x 6.6 in (12.1 cm x 16.8 cm)

• S40 – 4.75 in x 4.75 in (12.1 cm x 12.1 cm)

See how a card mat works

Hopefully, thanks to this article, the differences between the different types of mats have become clear, and making the right choice when shopping will not be a major problem. However, should any doubts or questions arise, our team will be happy to answer them and help you choose the right equipment and accessories.