Does Cricut Explore AIR 2 Need a Mat?

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a popular cutting machine for crafters, scrapbookers and DIY-ers. It’s an easy to use machine with a range of features that makes it ideal for those who want to create custom designs, decorations, and more. But one of the questions many users have is: Does the Cricut Explore Air 2 need a mat?

The answer is yes! The Cricut Explore Air 2 requires a mat when cutting materials such as paper, vinyl, fabric and more.

The mat provides an adhesive surface that holds the material in place while the machine cuts. It also helps keep the material from shifting or curling as it goes through the cutting process.

The Cricut Explore Air 2 comes with two mats – one LightGrip Mat for lighter materials such as paper, vellum and cardstock; and one StrongGrip Mat for heavier materials such as vinyl, iron-on transfers and leather. Both mats are 12” x 12” in size and have an adhesive backing to help hold your material in place.

When using your Cricut Explore Air 2 with these mats, you should also use transfer tape or repositionable spray adhesive to help adhere your material to the mat before cutting. This will help ensure your cuts are precise and accurate.

Using a mat isn’t just essential for getting good results with your Cricut Explore Air 2; it also helps protect both your machine and your material from wear and tear during the cutting process. It’s important to replace your mats every few months to maintain their stickiness so that they continue to work properly.

In conclusion, while it’s not absolutely necessary to use a mat when working with your Cricut Explore Air 2, it is highly recommended in order to get optimal results from your projects. Using high-quality mats along with transfer tape or spray adhesive will ensure you have clean cuts every time.