How To Flatten Drafting Mat

I was careful that the mat didn t get too warm.

How to flatten drafting mat.

Leave the mat between the metal sheets until they return to room temperature. But i think there is a solution here this might seem counter intuitive but one way to get a mat to lay flat again is to add back a little heat. Next roll your map or poster around the tube with the image facing out. To flatten a rolled map or poster start by unrolling it facedown on a flat surface and placing a cardboard tube at 1 end of it.

I was able to straighten it flat again by laying the mat on a towel on a table covering it with another towel then using a steam iron on the lowest temperature at which it would still steam ironed over the towel and mat. If your paper is less than 30 inches 1 4 inches is typically fine. Now roll your mat back out. Now your mat is ready for installation.

Place your mat on a smooth flat surface outside in the sun on a warm sunny day until it flattens check it every 15 minutes. Roll the mat back up and read the stop and read. Cut 4 strips of self adhesive linen hinging tape. Even if you think your floor is clean sweep it one more time.

Creating this opposing new curl shape will in effect straighten the curled plastic. The length of the strips depends on the size of your artwork. Make your first hinge. Remove the paper backing from one of the strips and place it in the top corner vertical with the sticky side up.

Keep the same pressure throughout your cut and be very careful not to dip out or in from the penciled line. Keep doing it until entire mat is flat and covered with heavy books. Fight curl with curl unroll the mat as flat as you can get it. Once the item is wrapped around the tube image facing out place rubber bands around it so it won t unravel.

Press the razor down firmly at the top corners of the boards. This will soften it down and then you can try setting something heavy on it to get it to retain its flat surface. Check the mat s flatness and then repeat the process if necessary until the mat is flat. Pull the razor slowly and steadily towards you stopping at the bottom corner.

Use a straight edge razor to cut the backing and mat boards. After it relaxes and is flat move it to a flat cooler area in the shade or indoors until it cools and becomes more rigid. If you have any questions or need assistance please contact us. Not what you want to have happen to your expensive cutting mats.