Quick Cricut Question

They make a tool that looks like a spatula. It works very well for getting off the letters. There is also a whole kit that you can buy that has tools in it too.

These machines are great! I too would recommend getting the spatula that you can purchase where he got your machine. Another tip is to use the Xron sticker maker to add adhesive to your creations. This is a quick way to add adhesive, especially for those tiny letters that you may make. Have fun. FYI: Alphalicious is my favorite cartridge!

:) B. Walker
Your Creative Memories Consultant, CM ID 70804151
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The mats are really sticky when they are new. The advice I got was to LIGHTLY press a cotton t-shirt to the mat and the lint would help your mat to not be so sticky but be careful because a mat that is not sticky enought creates its own set of problems. Another option is to only use a heavy cardstock for your first couple of cuts.

Make sure you are using a good card stock. Printed paper is usually too thin to use on a new mat. Once you've had it for a while thinner printed papers should be easier to remove w/out ruining the paper. You can also buy the tool kit and it has a couple different things you can use to pull the paper off easier. Hope that helps!

Courtney has it right. If you use the thin paper on a new mat, even with the tools, it's EXTREMELY hard to get off. I made that mistake as well. You have to use the heavier card stock first until the mat isn't quite so sticky! I did castles.... that was fun getting off the mat! It didn't and I still have little tiny pieces on there! Lesson learned!
Good luck!

Maybe the paper is too thick. There are settings on the side which will make the razor cut deeper and faster. They are two dials that go from one to five. Also, make sure you use a new mat that has lots of stick to it.
Good luck!
E.

Hi R.. Do you have the tools to remove the pieces you've just cut? If not I really recommend getting them. Also - the tacky mats do lose some of their stickiness as you use them and will eventually need to be replaced. Have fun with it and don't get frustrated - it gets easier the more often you use!

Hi R.! I am actually one of Sarah's friends, M., with the twins. I have a cricut too and they do sell a cricut tool that helps to scrap the paper off the mat. But my dad bought my mom and I a simple plastic ice scraper and it works great. I think is better because it is wider so there is a less likely chance the paper will tear. A wide putty knife would work too. The more you use the mat the less sticky it will be. Be really careful when you cut thin paper (less then regular cardstock. Hope this helps!

M.

There is a tool you can buy that goes with the cricut products that slides under the paper and gently peels it away. Just look with the cricut products! I love mine!!

I just use my xacto knife and a lot of patience. I thought of buying the toolset but decided that I have just about everything I need just with my existing tools. Perhaps some waxed floss might help if the xacto does not. Also, don't worry but the mats are very sticky for the first 2 or 3 times you use it, then it becomes much easier to remove your pieces.

I too have a cricut but have never had trouble. When you start with a new mat (super sticky) it is a bit harder but usually the spatula will dig right up under it. I'm assuming you are using the spatula? We have the best luck by using the spatula to pull the whole piece of paper off first, start at one corner. After you get the whole piece off, all that's left are the cut outs. We just go very slowly and "dig" the spatula into the mat as hard as possible. You can wiggle it a little too as you are lifting. I found that the really tiny words and especially cursive are hard to lift off. I don't use those fonts very often because they tear. I'm not sure if this is any help, but wanted you to know that we too have trouble sometimes; we just have to go slowly and really apply alot of pressure to the spatula. They do make it look super easy on the infomercial, but it takes alot of patience and practice. Really thin paper makes a mess. I stick with regular scrapbook paper and even cardstock (just adjust the pressure and speed accordingly).