We’ve been using our ScanNCut machines for a number of years now and we have a lot of mats all in varying stages of stickiness. Hey, it’s part and parcel of owning a ScanNCut. Honestly, though, I figure that I am already saving money since I don’t have to pay for additional dies with this machine. So buying a new mat every now and then doesn’t phase me.
Even so, we like to find ways to extend the life of the mat and as a result, we are yet to throw any away. We still have the original we got with the first machine. Although to be honest, we really should toss it in the bin, but not because it’s not sticky enough, but because there are so many cut marks on it that it is affecting the quality of the cut.
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The Amazing Zig Two-Way Glue
We have a number of methods that we use to extend the life of our mats but we have found that one of our favorite ways for making our mats sticky again is by using a Zig 2 Way Glue pen. When applied it creates a sticky surface that is perfect for the ScanNCut mats.
Now if you are thinking that this is just another added cost, first of all the glue is under $10. So it’s not a huge expense.
Just keep in mind that a Standard Mat is around $20 in the US and around $30 in Australia so for under $10 it’s worth it to keep those mats going for a bit longer.
So How Do You Use the Glue?
You simply apply it to the mat by running the glue in strips horizontally and then vertically. Watch the video below to see this in action.
You don’t want to use too much however because then it can become way too sticky and you will get your paper sticking to the mat.
You only need to reapply the glue when the mat starts to lose its stickiness again. So far, we haven’t had to reapply the glue to any of the mats we have used this on.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY ZIG TWO WAY GLUE?
Watch the video below to see how to re-sticky your mat using the Zig 2 Way Glue
(Can’t see the video? You may have an ad blocker installed.)
ScanNCut Products That May Interest You:
You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below:
- Brother Standard Cut Blade
- Brother Standard 12″x12″ Mat
- Brother Universal Pen Holder
- Brother Online Activation Card
Shirley Manuel says
Thanks girlies, love getting your tips from “OZ” already done the Zig thing, excellent. Keep the tips a coming. Take care you all.
Regards
Shirl
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Alanda says
Thanks Shirley. More tips on there way.
Beth Williams says
What if you need your mat to be less sticky? I live in so GA. Atrocious humidity. So remnants of my paper and cardstock frequently stick to mat no matter how careful I am in removing them.
Alanda says
It is so frustrating when the mat is too sticky and all your lovely designs tear when you try to remove them. I do sympathise Beth as we have had this happen. What we tend to do when we have a mat that is too sticky is cut thick cardstock, or you can dab the mat with a lint free cloth such as a piece of denim to remove some of the sticky. Another thing you can try is to wash the mat in warm soapy water, and after the mat dries dab it with an old t-shirt. I hope one of these helps Beth. Good Luck
Cyn ;-) Forrest says
Thanks ladies. Have ordered some Zig. Love my SNC! Appreciate all your tips n instructions. Super!
Hello from So California ???
Alanda says
Thank you Cyn. Love the sunglasses and palm tree. We have started winter here in Oz so temperatures are starting to plummet, roll on summer. So happy to hear you love your ScanNCut, it’s such a great machine.
Eleanor Best says
The new DX Machines require the use of the DX mats only. What is the difference and why?
Alanda says
Good question Eleanor. We still don’t have the machine yet – hoping for next week – so at this stage we don’t have all the answers, but it will be one I will be looking into.
Donna Jo says
Hi. There are no differences except you can use the mat only in the DX machines and can be inserted into the SNC one way only. I don’t know why Brother did that, disappointed that they did.
Alanda Craft says
I totally agree. With the older machines if the mat caught in one corner and no longer worked on one end, you could turn it around and load it from the other end. With the DX you can’t do that.
Patricia Freitas says
They have the register marks on it so the machine can ready what mat that you are using and the blade can go trough the thickness of the material. On the other side you do not have this information.
Cyd says
Does the zig thing work for fabric too?
Alanda says
It could potentially work but I would be a bit loathe to use it because it is a glue and I wouldn’t want that on my fabric. Instead you can try using 505 spray. It is made for fabric. We spray the back of the fabric and then lay it on the mat. So we don’t spray the mat itself, just the fabric. You only need a very light spray.
Patricia Karstens says
Hi I am from NZ do you know where I can get the SIG from thank you
Alanda says
I did a google search and this company has zig glue in NZ http://justscrapping.co.nz also craft Online here in Australia ships to NZ https://www.craftonline.com.au/collections/zig-glue-pens
Donna says
need info on how to put the cover on the blade holder so it starts with the 1 not somewhere that I cannot figure out what number I am actually on. I do not see a tutorial for it anywhere.
Thank You
Alanda says
Are you referring to when you are changing a blade and putting the bottom part back on? If so, I normally just wind it back on until it hits the 12 mark and then move it back to the required blade depth that I am after.
Ros says
Thank you so very much for your zig zag glue tip to re-sticky my mat. It worked perfectly, just like said. You ladies are brilliant. Thanks again.
Alanda says
That’s great to hear Ros. We love it. Some of our mats are quite old and have seen a lot of use but thanks to the zig zag glue we are still able to use them.
Abby C. says
Hello from Ohio, USA! sorry if this has been asked and answered but is this only for the standard mat or will this also work for the low tack mat?
Alanda says
It will work for the low tack as well but keep in mind that it won’t be considered low tack at that point. It will be as sticky as the Standard Mat.
Stephen Emerson says
Hi Alanda.
I would like to know how to re-tack the low tack mat so that it is still a low tack mat.
I hope you can help with this, thanks in advance Steve from the UK.
Alanda Craft says
Sorry Stephen I wouldn’t know how to get that light level of stickiness. We very seldom use the low tack mat as most of our work is with card stock and scrap booking paper.
Donna Jo says
Hi. I try to keep one of my mats with only a title stickiness. But I’m like Alanda I don’t really use a low tack mat.
Anita Alessi says
I bought my CM550 scan and cut 5 years ago and never used it because of time working and trying to figure it out by following the manual. So it’s been sitting idle all this time. Retired and decided to give it a try. Following the manual was horrible and in my opinion not user friendly. Tried Brother USA Tutorials and even with the computer next to my SnC had problems. Found your site today and could not be happier. Brother should pay you a fortune to do their job. You are so great at how you go step by step and things actually work. With all your wonderful help I think one day soon I will love my SnC. Thank You a Million times over.
Thanks,
Anita from Florida
Alanda Craft says
lol, it would be nice if Brother did that. I am so happy you are getting to use your ScanNCut Anita. We love ours and use it often. We have training courses available which go step by step through everything there is to know about mastering the ScanNcut, here is a link just in case you are interested in taking a look https://www.alandaonline.com/. Also, just to let you know, we will be having a Black Friday sale on the training courses.
Sandy beach says
A you tube video showed an easier way. Cut a piece of sticky shelf liner. Place shelf liner on mat sticky side up and you have a sticky surface. This is not brother approved, so you are doing at your own risk. But, it worked for me.
Alanda Craft says
I like the idea but how does the liner stick to the mat if the mat is not sticky to begin with?
Sherry says
Oh how wonderful it is finding your page. I did the zig glue and works great. Looking forward to some more of your tips n hints. From ILLINOIS USA, have a great day. Weather here is nice, finally after winter time. ?☀️?☀️
Nick Marino says
I keep seeing “watch the video below” throughout this page but there is no video or link. Can you provide a link?
Alanda Craft says
If you are using an ad blocker, you won’t be able to view the videos. I have checked the pages and the videos are definitely on the page.
Anne Erickson says
This worked perfectly! Thank you!
Janet Rettig says
I don’t see any videos? What do I have to do to see them? Thank you
Alanda Craft says
Do you have an ad blocker on? That could prevent you from seeing them.
Zena says
So glad I’ve found you, I live in the Uk and just bought DX1200. I knew how to do the basics but that was it but you have shown me how to be brave and experiment.
A big Thank you from Blighty.