I am interested in genealogy and have a number of old documents such as wedding and death certificates, plus a number of old photos that are rather fragile. So what I do is scan them and I use my ScanNCut to do this.
Now, of course, I could use a regular scanner but my scanner is limited to an A4 or US letter size. Plus I personally find the ScanNCut easier to use.
Why I Use a ScanNCut Photo Scanning Mat
I use the ScanNCut Photo Scanning Mat because I don’t have to stick the document to the mat, as I would if I was using a Standard or Low Tack Mat. Some of these documents are very fragile and I don’t want them getting stuck on a sticky mat and tearing.
Watch the video below to see how to use this mat.
(Can’t see the video? You may have an ad blocker on.)
This is what a Photo Scanning Mat looks like.
- You can see that it looks like a regular ScanNCut mat only it has a black trim instead of the usual blue or purple.
You can also scan in things like woven badges and thin balsa wood shapes that tend not to stick so well to a regular mat. Some of these have interesting shapes that can be used on a scrapbook page, but you don’t want to damage the back by having it stick to your regular mat.
I also just use it whenever I am scanning images printed on printer paper. Printer paper can stick like glue to a regular mat plus it’s just much easier and quicker to place it in the photo scanning mat.
The machine will see these sorts of things a lot clearer if they are on a dark background.
So you place a dark piece of cardstock in the photo scanning mat, then your stencil on top of that. Then place the plastic cover over the top and away you go.
There are 2 Ways to Save Using this Mat
Just to clarify that the photo scanning mat can really do two different things:
- It can scan through documents and photos and save them to a JPG format for you to store on your computer. Great for keeping digital records of those important fragile documents.
- It can scan through images that you can convert to cutting files.
So the Photo Scanning Mat is great for scanning fragile documents but it can also be used to just scan in shapes that are on a delicate background.
Jean Hislop says
many thanks for all the goodies ,love hearing from you you make every thing look so easy thamk you Jean
Alanda says
You’re welcome Jean, and thank you for the lovely comment.
Pat says
That was a great video for this beginner. I’ve watched a whole lot of videos but none of them showed what you have shared on your video. Thank you so very much for your time. Pat
Wanda says
Thank you Pat for your great feedback.
Lee carter says
What is the cover sheet made of?? If you know
Alanda says
It’s made of thin plastic.
Sharon says
Hi, do I need a special photo scanning mat or can I use the normal scanning mat for photos
Alanda says
Yes you can use the Standard Mat Sharon, however, be aware that it is sticky so don’t use it for delicate or fragile items that you cannot replace. The Scanning mat isn’t sticky and that why you can scan fragile documents with confidence.
Veronica says
Hi Alanda, I want to buy one of these mats. Would the link on your site be for the Amazon Australia? I have never bought from them and was wondering as it is about half the price of buying from Spotlight.
Alanda says
That’s a good price on Amazon Au, Veronica. Our link is to Amazon US. They don’t have an affiliate program for Australia as yet.
Vera Perkins says
Hi Alanda,
When I try to scan my scrapbook page it comes out in an awful color on my thumb drive. Have you had this problem?
Alanda says
I may need more clarification on this Vera. Are you scanning to save as a JPG image?
Vera Perkins says
Yes
Alanda says
We haven’t had that problem although to be honest we haven’t scanned a heap of images. Have you tried scanning other images to see if it makes a difference at all?
Ann Hefner-Gravink says
Make sure you remove the strip at the top of the mat (it is blue) otherwise the color balance will be off.
Alanda Craft says
Yes, good tip Ann.
Bev Crouse says
Hello ladies
I do have a question about the different types of scans. Do you have a video onthow you would use the third option?
Alanda says
The third option “Scan to USB’ is in the video on this page. Just fast forward to about the 4 minute mark.
Edith Lambert says
I have the Brother Scan N Cut Machine, I recently purchased the Brother Scanning mat CADXMATS12. My machine will not recognize the Mat. I have tried all of the suggestions in
the manual and still it will not recognize the mat. Any suggestions???????
Thanks Edie L
Alanda Craft says
The machine had problems with mats not being recognized very early on and apparently Brother have fixed the issue with new mats. I would contact Brother for this to see if they can replace the mat for you.
Stephanie says
Hi, I’d love one of these mats. Can I use it on the new Disney sdx225 scanandcut? Thanks
Alanda Craft says
As long as you get the Scanning Mat that is made specifically for a DX machine then yes it will work.
KathyB says
I am so glad you mentioned scanning plastic stencils! I have 12 applique pattern pieces that I had cut out of template plastic (actually a flexible “cutting board” from the Dollar Store). The main reason I got my DX was to make many applique pillows with my pattern. I was envisioning having to trace over my patterns onto paper in order to scan them in. Now I know that I can use the scanning mat instead. Note: There is no link to the video on this page. I had to go to YouTube to find it. 🙂
Alanda Craft says
The video is on the page Kathy if you have an ad blocker running on your computer that will stop you from seeing it. Making your own stencils will certainly save you money.
Suzan Estrada says
No video shows up “below” as your instructions say. Please help.
Alanda Craft says
The video won’t show up if you have an ad blocker turned on, Susan. The video is definitely on the post.
DIANE FRAYLING says
Thank you for this newsletter, I have recently purchased the sdx 900, have been to nervous to try it as yet .I really must get started soon, and I feel sure your newsletter will be very helpful, I am 81 and a bit slow these days to do as I once did, but I am sure I will get over my nervousness by looking at your newsletter. So thank you again
Alanda Craft says
Lovely to hear from you Dianne. The more you use your ScanNcut the more you are going to love it. We have a free course that will help you be less intimidated by it, here is the link https://www.alandaonline.com/product/scanncut-dx-getting-started/.
Stephanie says
I’m enjoying your videos and trying to make myself try the scanncut again after a disappointing year when it was either too sticky or not enough! Unfortunately this video is missing….it’s showing you reviewing a dream machine?? I’ve been able to watch the others and they are really helpful, thanks
Alanda Craft says
Thank you for letting us know Stephanie. I have fixed the video now so you should be good to go.
Rick says
Hi Alanda, thanks for your guidance and hints.
I am confused, have a legit 600mm scan mat for my CM350.
Am rejected on snan function for this size mat. Is this normal?
If so, why sell the larger mat?
Your assistance will be appreciated.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Rick
Alanda Craft says
The larger mat will only allow for the full scan on certain machines. For your machine, you can only use the full area of the 12 x 24 mat for cutting and not for scanning.
Kath Cox says
Great video. Just brought DX1200 and I watch different video’s to try and learn different things. Love your video’s as very informative and your voice is so lovely to listen to, many other sites have people who do not explain or talk well.
Wishing you well from New Zealand 😁
Alanda Craft says
Thank you Kath. That was such a lovely comment. Glad the video helped.