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I'm looking into getting a sticky mat to use while stenciling and so far it seems that the Tim Holtz Media Grip Mat and the Brutus Monroe Stick and Stamp Mat are the ones at the forefront.
Which one would you recommend? What are the pros and cons of each? Recommendations for other brands will also be considered. Thanks in advance!
__________________ Shellie G
Aspire to be a better person than you were yesterday
I have the Brutus Monroe mat and cardstock sticks to it TOO well. Peeling off the paper causes it to either tear slightly or curl terribly. This was a big disappointment because I was excited to not have to use magnets anymore.
As for sticky mats, the recommendation I have seen from every person I watch who uses them, you need to remove the cardstock by rolling the sticky mat backwards and then lifting the paper off. You don't lift the paper off of a flat sticky mat...it will always curl up.
Maybe try scrapbook.com brand sticky mats. I don't think mine is sticky enough but you might like the low-tack feel of it. Comes in a few sizes. Next time I order from scrapbook.com I'm going to try a Waffle Flower Crafts sticky mat 8 12" square that should work in my Stamp-a-ratus.
Mary Beth
I saw this vid pretty soon after BM released their mat. Have you seen the frame thing that goes with it? Blending buddy- Supposed to also hold a stencil in place to some degree.
Now this is a year old and he said more products would come out for it. So I looked and sure enough..they have
This is their "Grip Mats." Haven't tried them, but want to! You can get them in bundles too! Be sure to check out the larger bundle, it has stencil guides....
I use an older mat from my Silhouette Cameo, (digital cutter,) and an old cricut mat that I use for messy stenciling with acrylic paints and such.
Dollar Tree also has their own version as well I believe.
I use an older mat from my Silhouette Cameo, (digital cutter,) and an old cricut mat that I use for messy stenciling with acrylic paints and such.
Dollar Tree also has their own version as well I believe.
I have done the same thing with my Scan n Cut mats and have cut them to smaller sizes. I also have tried the Dollar Tree one and it works rather well.
I used the Brutus Monroe and yikes, my card stock literally ripped. I have their spray for cleaning and hoping that would help. Nope. I contacted the company but no response. I am using the Scrapbook sticky mat. I use baby wipes to clean it. I, also, have their rubber mat that is a blessing. I can stamp and stencil with no issues.
I purchased and used the BM mat last year but found it to be a little too sticky at times as some of the above posters mentioned. Recently I purchased one of the Waffle Flower Grip mats (essentially just a large photopolymer stamp) and I have loved using it for stencils. They have several sizes to choose from (two are designed specially to fit in the different versions of the Misti). It grips without being too sticky and is easy to clean.
I also use it in my stamparatus to hold down my cardstock without having to use the magnets which has been a huge timesaver (and allows me to place the cardstock in the center of the platform vs in the corner). Altenew has a similar mat designed to fit in their stamp positioner as well which is also sold separately and would function similarly.
The following 2 users liked this post by holli092:
This is their "Grip Mats." Haven't tried them, but want to! You can get them in bundles too! Be sure to check out the larger bundle, it has stencil guides....
I've been using one for a month or so now and haven't been impressed with it holding onto cardstock in the Misti. I almost always have to also use a couple of magnets to keep my paper from shifting. I'm pretty disappointed.
__________________ Diana B
-We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all. ~John Hughes
I've been using one for a month or so now and haven't been impressed with it holding onto cardstock in the Misti. I almost always have to also use a couple of magnets to keep my paper from shifting. I'm pretty disappointed.
THANK YOU for letting us know! Do you think yours might just need to be rinsed for something. I know how sticky silicone stamps are!!! ESPECIALLY when they are new!
THANK YOU for letting us know! Do you think yours might just need to be rinsed for something. I know how sticky silicone stamps are!!! ESPECIALLY when they are new!
That's what I thought, too, but I've washed it a couple of times as directed and it hasn't made much difference. I'm careful to put the protective sheet over it when finished, too. Oddly, it hangs onto the magnets so hard that I have trouble releasing them, so I've learned not to leave them on the mat itself.
__________________ Diana B
-We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all. ~John Hughes
That's what I thought, too, but I've washed it a couple of times as directed and it hasn't made much difference. I'm careful to put the protective sheet over it when finished, too. Oddly, it hangs onto the magnets so hard that I have trouble releasing them, so I've learned not to leave them on the mat itself.
I wonder if you contacted Waffle Flower & asked them what to do, they might help? They're so nice & might have a solution for you! ;)
I purchased the Brutus Monroe and my yardstick stuck so hard trying to get it off this mat I tossed it. I contacted the company and they reimbursed me for the mat and said they didn't want it back. So I tossed it
I am so thankful for this group. You are a Godsend. I save what is important to me. I always look forward each week for new posts. As for the B.M. sticky mat, tossed, too. You all should look into the Pixi spray.
The following 2 users liked this post by dickiebutts:
When I stencil, I use my Make Art Station and use the large magnets. I have a few stencils that could not be held with magnets as they have no frame. I applied Tombow glue to one of them and let it dry so it was tacky. I took my My Sweet Petunia sticky mats and pressed them to my clothing to add lint and help remove stickiness. I have used them since and my paper did not tear. I understand Scrapbook dot com's mats are even less sticky. I watched a video with Lisa Mears and straight out of the packaging and her work looked great. So, I placed an order. They haven't arrived yet. I really do not want sprays, so I haven't tried the Pixie spray, though all who use it in videos like it. Gina K uses it all of the time.
I purchased and used the BM mat last year but found it to be a little too sticky at times as some of the above posters mentioned. Recently I purchased one of the Waffle Flower Grip mats (essentially just a large photopolymer stamp) and I have loved using it for stencils. They have several sizes to choose from (two are designed specially to fit in the different versions of the Misti). It grips without being too sticky and is easy to clean.
I also use it in my stamparatus to hold down my cardstock without having to use the magnets which has been a huge timesaver (and allows me to place the cardstock in the center of the platform vs in the corner). Altenew has a similar mat designed to fit in their stamp positioner as well which is also sold separately and would function similarly.
Thanks for this info. I'm looking mostly for a grip mat style I think because I want it specifically for stenciling and I don't know that I want an adhesive sticky mat because there are some techniques I want to try that have a high water content and I don't want a sticky mat to wear our quicker because of it. But if I can also use it with my stamp platform that would be a bonus. Waffle Flower sounds like it might be a good fit.
If you look on Youtube, you can also find other ways to use the Waffle Flower Grip Mats! One I really liked, is putting your die cuts on the grip mat & then color blending them with the blender brushes.....And they didn't move! CAN'T WAIT for my grip mats to arrive! Used in the Misti's, you remove the black foam mat. ;) The video I watched, even showed how you can use it in your Misti to stamp with unmounted Stamps! SO MANY GREAT USES! (I'm not able to find that video, otherwise, I'd link it up!)
The Altenew sticky mats, similar to the Waffleflower grip mats, are listed on their website as “ultra” and “low tack”, 7” x 7”, so would fit the Stamparatus or Tim Holtz stamp positioners.
This is their "Grip Mats." Haven't tried them, but want to! You can get them in bundles too! Be sure to check out the larger bundle, it has stencil guides....
Hi! I have the Waffle Flower Grip Mats and they're great. It holds my card stock in place very well, but isn't overly sticky. It's easy to remove my card stock, with no curling.
I have the opposite experience with the Brutus Monroe sticky mat. It hardly sticks! I have the cleaner somewhere and maybe that will help. I just use the magnets but would love to try the waffle flower mat.
I have the opposite experience with the Brutus Monroe sticky mat. It hardly sticks! I have the cleaner somewhere and maybe that will help. I just use the magnets but would love to try the waffle flower mat.
I have the same experience as you with the Brutus Monroe sticky mat - I need the magnets with it too.
For those that might want to spend their craft money on other things - one can make their own sticky mat by wrapping some press n seal around the MISTI foam with the sticky side out. Just tape it closed on the back and add a piece of plastic or some packaging on the back so it doesn’t stick to the misti itself. Actually, if one only uses photopolymer stamps in their misti, it wouldn’t matter if the foam was stuck down.
__________________ Pam
PJBstamper2
The following 5 users liked this post by PJBstamper2:
For those that might want to spend their craft money on other things - one can make their own sticky mat by wrapping some press n seal around the MISTI foam with the sticky side out. Just tape it closed on the back and add a piece of plastic or some packaging on the back so it doesn’t stick to the misti itself. Actually, if one only uses photopolymer stamps in their misti, it wouldn’t matter if the foam was stuck down.
This is genius! I've been using Press 'N Seal for a few years now to pick up arranged die-cuts, apply glue, then to lay the pieces back down in their original layout - why would the reverse not also work? Wow, thank you so much for sharing this tip!!!
__________________ Nicole
The following 2 users liked this post by cnsteele:
Depending on how much I've sprayed onto the stencil, I may or may not have enough sticky left to adhere the stencil to another piece of cardstock & stencil again. But whenever I'me finished, I just plop the stencil in the sink & run water over it while rubbing with my fingers. Let it dry & it's like brand new! Use caution if you use a towel to dry it, as fabric will catch on the pointy parts & things get testy.
For those that might want to spend their craft money on other things - one can make their own sticky mat by wrapping some press n seal around the MISTI foam with the sticky side out. Just tape it closed on the back and add a piece of plastic or some packaging on the back so it doesn’t stick to the misti itself. Actually, if one only uses photopolymer stamps in their misti, it wouldn’t matter if the foam was stuck down.
Your tip reminded me of a video on YouTube where the Press 'n Seal is attached to laminating pouches.
I've been using one for a month or so now and haven't been impressed with it holding onto cardstock in the Misti. I almost always have to also use a couple of magnets to keep my paper from shifting. I'm pretty disappointed.
My daughter and I each got one for our stamp positioners too, and have run into paper not sticking. I am so bummed because I bought the whole bundle for over $100. I've cleaned with water and with baby wipes.
Well, I have purchased & tried out my new Waffle Flower Grip Mats. I am pleased with how they've been working. I got the ones that fit the Misti's. I too have had to add a magnet at times--like if I'm stamping on die cuts. (I keep the die cuts in the main card stock it's cut from in-case I need to stamp again, for perfect alignment, & put the magnets on the main card stock to hold it in place. ) But, when you lay the die cut on the mat & color blend, it does stay put. I think it has to do with the pressure applied when working, & they not being a slick surface. You wouldn't want your paper to stick so well, that it rips the paper. I am pleased so far. I keep mine in my Misti's & the carrier sheets with it. Although, I did have to cut little areas out of the top carrier sheet, for the hinges of the Misti's, so I can close the Misti's. When cleaning, I use Simple Green. It's what I use on my stamps & Misti's as well & they clean up nicely! Over-all, I am HAPPY! ;)
I got my Waffle Flower Crafts sticky mat yesterday and here's a quick review:
works great for stenciling
does not work in the Stamp-a-ratus
quite sticky, thicker than I thought (think slightly thinner gelli plate)
it was expensive IMO and I don't think I will be getting my money's worth out of it
still on the search for a sticky mat to use in the SAR
Mary Beth
This or That?
