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Whether it’s professional crafts or creative kids, tables and other home surfaces can easily be damaged where cutting of fabric, paper, or other materials is involved.
That’s where a cutting mat comes in. Often made of thick, self-healing material, cutting mats are placed on top of your cutting surface, protecting it from damage while you work or play.
Most cutting mats also feature a handy measurement grid, so you can easily “measure twice, cut once”, as the very practical advice goes.
Self-healing and double-sided cutting mats are longer lasting, and so represent a better investment over the long term.
Most cutting mats can be used with a wide variety of blades, including Xacto blades.
The Top 5 Cutting Mats
#5: Fiskars Self-healing Cutting Mat
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This cutting mat comes in a variety of sizes, so, however big or small your project, there’ll be a mat to fit.
It is self-healing, although it seems to struggle to recover from deeper cuts. As these are quite common, and the cutting mat itself is somewhat expensive, this may be a deal breaker for some people.
However, this is a thick cutting mat, and does protect the work surface from deep, heavy-pressure cuts.
Pros:
- Self-healing
Cons:
- Deeper cuts don’t seem to heal
- Expensive
Value For Money?
If you know from experience that your work is likely to leave deep cuts in your cutting mat, you may be better off buying a different mat. The Fiskar seems to struggle to self-heal when it comes to deeper cuts, and this obviously affects the lifespan of the product.
- Quality Tools for Arts and Crafts: From scissors and cutting mats, to rotary and paper cutters, to quilting and scrapbooking supplies,...
- Ample space for all your fabric-cutting needs: Sized for cutting full widths of fabric; Easy-to-read measuring grids on both sides make for...
- Long-lasting and reliable: Self-healing cutting surface lasts longer than other mats and is designed to provide you with precise...
#4: Provo Craft Cutting Mats
Designed for use with the Cricut cutter, but suitable for use with any blade, these cutting mats are cheap, though not particularly durable.
They’re not self-healing, which results in a very much reduced product lifespan.
However, they would be fine for occasional craft work, or to protect surfaces in a children’s craft corner.
Pros:
- Good price
- Versatile
Cons:
- Not self-healing
- Not durable
Value For Money?
For occasional crafts, or children’s activities, these mats are fine, and very affordable. However, they are not durable enough for regular use.
- Works with the Cricut Explore machine, Cricut Expression machine, and Cricut Expression 2 machine
- Includes two 12" x 12" Standard Grip adhesive cutting mats
- To ensure best performance, use the recommended material types on each of the mats: Cardstock, Pattern Paper, Embossed Cardstock, Iron-on...
#3: Double Sided Self-Healing Cutting Mat
This is a thick, double-sided, self-healing cutting mat. Combined, these factors make this a durable, long-lasting product ideal for crafters at every level.
This cutting mat is also marked with a measuring grid, however this seems to be slightly inaccurate, which is an issue, particularly for professional crafters.
Pros:
- Durable
- Self-healing
- Good thickness
Cons:
- Inaccurate measuring guide
Value For Money?
If you already have an accurate measuring guide for your crafting needs, this cutting mat is a sensible choice for the committed crafter.
- SELF HEALING ROTARY MAT - Our rotary mat is self-healing, it reseals surface cuts for a continually smooth cutting surface. Using a...
- DOUBLE SIDED - Our double-sided rotary mat has one side with grid lines and one side without grid lines. Grid lines help with easy measuring...
- 18 INCH BY 24 INCH MAT - This rotary cutting mat is 18"x24" and 1.5mm thick. It's perfect for small and medium-size projects. Great for...
#2: Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
This cutting mat comes in a variety of sizes, so you can choose a mat that’s right for you and your crafting.
The company (Calibre Arts) offers good customer service, being very prompt to replace, for free, any mat that appears to be defective in terms of its self-healing ability. They also engage well with customers generally.
This is a versatile cutting mat, and will work equally well with rotary cutting blades or any other type of blade you may use in a craft setting.
Pros:
- Self-healing
- Durable
- Good customer service from manufacturer
- Variety of sizes
Cons:
- Expensive
Value For Money?
This is an expensive cutting mat, but, for professional crafters, it’s a definite must-have, and well worth the money.
- Cut Marks Heal in Seconds Each piece consists of 15 layers of self-healing compound, so it heals faster and the surface stays smooth for...
- Stays flat, Won't Warp or Crack Our products are made of sturdy, refined material that can withstand direct sunlight and will quickly...
- Certified Safe & Odorless Compliant with EN 71-3, the newest European safety standards concerning Heavy Metals present in products children...
#1: Best Fabric Cutting Board
Not just for fabric, this versatile cutting board can be used with a range of craft materials, and ensures your work surface is always protected.
This is a double-sided, self-healing cutting board, designed for durability.
It comes in a variety of sizes and colors, so not only can you select the size you need, but you can choose a color that reflects your personality and your brand as a crafter.
This cutting board also comes with a free digital guide, to help you get the most from your new craft room addition.
The company (Paragon Crafts) provide good, relevant, and engaged customer service, and at this price, these cutting boards are an absolute steal!
Pros:
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Double-sided
- Self-healing
- Variety of sizes and colors
- Good customer service
Cons:
- None that we could find!
Value For Money?
Definitely!
- FOTEACA Portable Machine for Kids and Adults W123 White Suitable for Indoor Outdoor
- FOTEACA Portable Machine for Kids and Adults W123 White Suitable for Indoor Outdoor
- FOTEACA Portable Machine for Kids and Adults W123 White Suitable for Indoor Outdoor
