genius platform

[starry43]

i finally used my genius I am cutting quickutz cookie cutters in in.
I have the magnetic plate first then the die cutting side up,
paper and mat A. Does it matter which side of the mat I lay done against the die.
When I cut I am getting deep cuts in the mat is this the way I am suppose to use it.

[Susan]

I don't have a Genius platform...yet...but I played with them a little bit back at CHA. if I remember correctly, the texture/consistency of the cutting plate/mat is similar to the Epic Six grey cutting plate/mat. Kind of a heavy rubbery covered plastic mat.

Am I remembering right?

The Epic Six mats got cuts in them too - just because of the type of material they were. Similar to how the Sizzix plates get marks in them, but they are a harder plastic so they just etch a cut line - since these Genius plates are a softer material they will cut more.

BUT - that's how it's supposed to happen. If you remember I used to use and use and use my Epic Six mats and then heat them up in the over to flatten them out and smooth them a bit. I'm hearing that the new Genius plates don't curl like the Epic Six did - are you finding that to be the case???

hope that makes sense - but it sounds like all is well and performing like it should. Hope you're liking the Genius!!!

[Deleted]

It doesn't seem to matter which side of the cutting mat is used...the mats do get cuts in them...just like the "flexible/flatten in the oven" Epic mats.

I used a black permanent marker to write the instructions on the platform (solid turquoise), and also marked the "A" and "B" on the cutting mats, since they appear to be a bit hard to read (turquoise against medium grey).

I'm trying to figure out just why they put measuring grids on one side of the mats, since I don't see a way to actually use them.

Also, I watched a demonstration video from LC...it was somewhat helpful, but I didn't appreciate the fact that the person doing the demonstration made a few "sidebar" negative comments about competing dies, and seemed to be able to identify the brand name of all dies except SB. In my never-to-be-humble opinion, which dies he used made no difference, except to demonstrate which mat to use with which thickness.

That said, I really do like the fact that I can use the Genius system in any tool with a 6-inch width, and it works very well.

[peterpan]

I didn't get a genius platform, but I did use Mom's in her Big Shot over the Thanksgiving holiday and I agree with Diane. I'm sure I used both sides of the cutting mat and didn't notice any issues. The marks in the mat didn't affect the quality of either the cuts or the "good side" of the die cut. I did use a single thickness of card stock as a shim but only because it was already semi-attached to the platform.

I didn't notice any curling either. But I didn't do an excessive amount of cranking for the cards we were making.

I did find myself wanting to flip the whole sandwich upside down though. Many of the cuts I was making were with some new stamp-and-cut sets I got. Cute, cute, cute! But I had to get the die lined up on the stamped image and then flip it over to put it on the platform. Luckily it worked pretty well almost every time because I was too lazy to go find the removable tape to keep things lined up properly. I was afraid to try flipping the sandwich because I figured the cutting mat was flexible enough that the die would probably shift before I could get everything started through the machine.

Good point about the grid, too, Diane. Doesn't seem to be all that useful but maybe there is a reason.

Anyway, now I'm just rambling. Hope this helps.

Christy

[Cat]

Thanks Christy! I tried to reply yesterday and my stuff kept disappearing. After 5 or 6 try I gave up.

I love using the genius for the border dies.


Cat

[crazy4pink]

Maybe they thought a person might use the grid side to line up pieces to be assembled or to use the grid to cut on with a ruler and blade??

[starry43]

thanks Ladies, I was mad cause I thought I used the wrong side and caused cuts. Every one of my platforms I have messed up either using wrong side or putting the die down the wrong with. I agree about the placement grid I dont see any use for it. And agree I watched the video too and all dies seemed great to me.

[Susan]

my guess is the grid is there to line things up for when you're using a NEGATIVE of a shape. For instance, if you want to cut a scalloped heart into the front of a card front. You can use the grid to line up the heart die on the magnetic platform...THEN you use the grid to also line up your paper, so it's straight and centered and at right angels.

Then your heart opening in the front of the card is front and center and well spaced.

Of course I just use my eyes and Scotch Tape...centering is highly overrated in my book! HAHAHA

But I'm guessing that's why the grid is there - for alignment and placement. And I can also see laying down a nesting circle and a cookie cutter flourish and looking at the grid to see that you need to trim a pice of cardstock that's 4.5" x 9" so it will cover both dies???

that would work too!

[Deleted]

To my way of thinking, the grid would be a lot more useful if it were on the platform, rather than on the cutting mats, which go on top of the paper, which is on top of the die(s)...unless you you're using the grid to tape (removable tape, of course) the die to the paper before putting it on the platform. And even then, the paper will cover up the die, and you won't be able to see exactly where all of the pieces are in relationship to each other.

Unless I'm missing something here...

[Susan]

OH....I missed that....

the grid is on the cutting mat, not on the platform...

well that's kind of odd? forget any ideas I brainstormed yesterday, that makes all of them a moot point!

wonder why it isn't on the platform.?!?!?!?!

[peterpan]

Cindy, I think you are on to something there!! It makes perfect sense that you could use the cutting mat with a ruler and blade to make your own cuts. Kind of a two-fer. It hadn't occurred to me the cutting mat is very much like a self-healing mat. Duh!!

c

[yankeegirl]

I use the grids when I am cutting pp and want the edges of the die to be straight across the pattern (yes, Susan, I know---I'm a Type A--LOL). That works well for me.
I still tape the really fine dies, because I find they still slip out of place sometimes. I actually don't use tape...I use 2x2 post its. Over and over.....
Just don't make the same mistake I already did, right when I was first using my Genius platform. I put the platform with the holes facing UP, and then made the mistake of putting my die facing DOWN.......and I cut into that side of the platform. I was soooo mad at myself. But I won't do it again...and it didn't seem to damage the platform. It just doesn't look brand-spankin' new anymore!
I love this new thing because so far I am finding that the cutting mats are not warping like the Sizzix ones did. They might over time, but not yet for me. And the cuts don't seem as prominent as they do on the plastic mats, either. All in all, I love this new system!