Make your own paper cutting mat?

Question

How can i make my own paper cutting craft mat with the dimensions on it?...i mean what kind of material should i use and how to stick the grid on it?

Answer 1

Do you mean something to put down to protect your work table surface when you are working with a craft or Exacto knife?

I would start with a grid I printed out off the computer on regular paper, and then I would stick it to the cover of an old phone book or thick old magazine using double stick tape.

Voila! You've got a marked paper cutting mat!

Answer 2

You may use any sort of tough paper (board) - say, handmade paper, craft paper. You can use tissue tape (That one with gum on both side) or foam Tape. these come in rolls of different thickness - 1/4 inch to 2 inch.

Answer 3

You don't say what you're cutting the paper with.  If you're using an Xacto knife, etc., then you could get away with using a sheet of glass and placing your grid underneath it.

Glass won't dull your blade too much and it won't scratch.  If you use most anything else, it will both dull your blade more quickly and may not be "hard" enough to support the paper properly when you're making the cuts.  

If you don't want to buy a self-healing mat at a fabric store, etc., or in the drafting dept. of an office supply/etc. store (those usually have a grid pre-printed on them), you could use a clear flexible cutting plastic mat (for the kitchen) and still be able to see below it to a grid or you could draw a grid on top of it with a thin permanent marker and a ruler.  Otherwise, use a magazine or non-corrugated cardboard.  Or to still see a grid, photocopy the grid onto paper and use a fresh piece of paper (on a safe surface) every time you cut.

HTH,

Diane B.