If you often have to cut paper, cardboard or other materials, then, of course, you will need such a wonderful thing as a cutting mat. This useful device helps needlewomen, who work in different techniques : scrapbooking, quilling, paper-plastic and many others. Rug, or, as it is also called, a cutting mat can be used when working with fabrics, natural and artificial leather, stencils, binding cardboard and other materials. So, what is this product?
Self-healing paper and cloth cutting mat
It is a multi-layer mat made of synthetic PVC material with a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm. Its lower layer does not allow the knife to scratch the surface of the furniture on which you work, and the upper one - it masks the cuts, making the mat an excellent reusable tool. For convenience of work on a surface of a rug the dimensional grid is put.
The main advantage of carpets for cutting before other surfaces is its property to self-repair. As already mentioned, there are no visible cuts from the knife on it. In addition, using a cutting mat, it is simply impossible to blunt the tool, as in the case of metal or wood surfaces. The blade enters the PVC, like a knife in oil, very easily and smoothly, not moving anywhere and without getting caught. Roller, rotary or collet knives and paper cutters are convenient in working with a rug - in online stores they usually go as related products.
The rules for caring for a mat for cutting are very simple. You can store it in a collapsed form, if the mat is unilateral, or in a flat, if it is two-sided. Keep the rug away from the hot: even a cup of tea can spoil its surface. Try to cut without getting a knife to the lower, base layer. Also, do not allow small particles (scraps, debris) to enter the fresh cuts on the mat.
Types of self-healing carpets for cutting
Often, the cutting mats are two-sided: on the one hand the contrasting paint is mesh in inches, on the other - in centimeters. Also available for sale and rugs with radial markings (like protractor). Dimensions of rugs are very different, so that the buyer could choose exactly what he needs. The most popular sizes of paper mats are A2, A3, A4 and 30x30.
Mats for cutting such manufacturers as Gamma, Folia, Dahle, Olfa, Hemline, Fiskars have proven themselves among needlewomen.