Reviving your Sizzix cutting plates

[@HFDay-qi6yc]

Hi there, I have another tip.. if you would like to try this as well.. What I was told to do.. to prevent cutting plate to not bend like this... was to label cutting plate. one side A and on back side B .. Take turns using each side. for every project. The A & B labels will help you remember which side you use last in your last project. will totally solve your problem. I have been doing this for over 2 years. it works great!

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Thank you, I will give it a try. xxx

[@pixieann1000]

Thanks

[@hannyzwanepol1190]

L Mendoza

[@sassy1970sy]

Thank you so much for sharing this. This is by far the best video I’ve seen on straightening plates, brilliant idea! I tried pouring boiling water on mine and it bent back on itself making it more flat, it also got rid of all the imprints on the sheet which is great but I’ll definitely try this method next time.

[@MsDreamerGeek]

I use a combination of this technique with another technique - and have never had the issue with over heating that is shown. I take 2 casserole dishes that fit inside each other. I fill the smaller one with water and heat it in the microwave until its boiling. Then I set the plate in the larger dish, pour half of the water in the larger dish, then set the smaller dish (still half full) on top. I let it sit until the water has cooled. The heat levels the plate and even smooths it out a little.

[@patkennedy2310]

Hi Keren, thank you for that great tip. I for one am always grateful to get hints on getting more out of our tools, after all they aren't exactly cheap. Pat

[@kayrestad187]

Thanks so much for this very informative video! I did all 4 of my plates & they turned out great! I didn't leave them in the oven to cool, as I was in a hurry to do the others & they were fine! YEA!! I try to turn them so they don't warp, but they still seem to. I'm so glad I'm able to use these old ones longer, as they're expensive to replace so often. THANKS!! :-)

[@geegeebean8576]

Wow! I am totally impressed! I use my Big Shot all the time; and, I am having to replace the plates all the time. What a great video! Thank you; so much, for the tip! I'll be trying it very soon!

[@sammuggles]

Wow! What a fantastic way to liven up my old (and bent) plate! You’re a genius 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@MsLouisVee]

One area of concern is putting your plates in the oven releases toxic fumes from the plastic which you are breathing in and is covering your oven inside you might want to rethink this and maybe use boiling water method instead

[@BUNNIFER10]

my first set of pads lasted 8 years. They were becoming rounded so I purchased another set from Sissex. I have used them for a couple of months and they are terrible. Rounded so fast and I have been very careful flipping them so this wouldn't happen. These plates in my opinion are inferior to the original plates and if I had another source I would not buy these from Sissex. My friend used her new ones for about a month and one plate broke into two pieces. Sissex told me that the plates are not inferior but I disagree. In our group we are all having problems with them rounding. I think they are producing these plates that are not the same quality of the originals therefore we will buy them much more often. Any one else having this problem.

[@lorispicer2498]

Mb Arsenault I’ve only had mine a few months and have made about 30 cards. My plates are already rounded up and causing problems. Sizzix isn’t interested in standing behind their product. They just told me to buy new ones 😕

[@brendadennis2081]

Loved the tip...I will be trying it. Thank you !!

[@Kellyagate]

I did figured this out by my self. One do i was trying to fix my plates. I tried this and it works great. But watch your temp. and time you leave it in. It will melt your plates if you don't.

[@carolinagothic7243]

What a wonderful tip!! Thank you for sharing! I will definitely give this a try when the time comes! :)

[@evamooney2953]

I have a slightly different problem, where I've rolled my Cutting plates slightly off course a few times and the edges started getting ground at and became sharp any suggestions on how to fix this? I had considered sanding the edges but was unsure if it would damage the plates further. Thanks in advance for any help

[@MsFnmc]

I'm glad that this technique is working for you. However, this is not recommended by the manufacturer. I get it...I'm on a very tight budget, so purchasing a new plate would be cost prohibitive. One thing I've noticed is that folks get ready to ditch their plates because they no longer stick to the magnetic plate they purchased due to plate warpage. But with my very limited budget, I don't have a magnetic cutting plate, so I find that I use my plates til they absolutely completely die. Magnetic plates didn't always exist...my question is, if so many people are worried about cost, when their plates begin to start warping (despite flipping them and everything)...what's wrong with doing things the way it was before magnetic plates were available. Then, once those plates were completely dead, one could purchase a new set of plates. The other thing I've figured out is that, if there's something that is really important to a person (be it a cell phone, a TV of extra proportional size dimensions, Starbucks coffee every morning, whatever it is)...they will find a way to make this happen...even if it means living without a list of other things that they don't consider near as important. It's always about a person's priorities. So my conclusion is, if one has invested in a machine, it's accessories, paper, dies, tools, stamp sets and more...replacing the plates (which get gobs more use than people care to admit) that one should never have to worry about purchasing a new set of plates. After all, clear plates make the crafting one does possible. I liken it to being resentful that one must bite the bullet and get all new tires for their vehicle. You need the tires to use your car...and you need clear plates to make you die-cutting machine work. Why all the fuss from those that have so much already in their crafting stash.

[@carolfrazer8067]

Just to let you know. The rollers inside the Big Shot are not magnetic. The rollers are just 2 pieces of steel rods that the die cuts go thru. How the cutting works is by building the stack with the dies and the cutting plates. It works by pressure from the layers..

[@billienuhfer447]

Thank you for sharing!!!

[@myrnahartley8710]

thank you very much. I have been going thru plates too fast so this will help.

[@TheTiaKeas]

Great idea and it worked for me!! Thank-you!

[@margaritamarimon5336]

Thank you very much! I’m gonna try it just now.

[@clinkist]

Thanks for the advice well appreciated

[@KathyThomas1015]

Great tip! Will be trying soon. TFS

[@terrymonto4801]

This is a must try for sure!

[@sharontuckerlewis7325]

I flattened my plate tonight by placing it in the sink and pouring boiling water on it. Flat as a pancake in an instant.

[@redshoesgirl]

i tried that. didn't work. popped back and forth ...

[@sharontuckerlewis7325]

lara hartley Mine is still flat to this day. Started turning it over after Each die cut and it has not warped back yet. (See L. Mendoza tip above from 3 years ago.) I’m sorry it didn’t work for you.

[@redshoesgirl]

@@sharontuckerlewis7325 i know, me too. now the second set has started to warp. and i am SO careful about turning over! :-)

[@debbiewiands1822]

I really think they make inferior plates on purpose. If they do shame on them. I got a Gemini Jr recently and the plate bowed into a U shape. I've soaked them in a casserole with boiling water and a heavy weight on them. Turned out OK but bowing again and have cracks that I'm waiting to break and hit me in the face.

[@shirleyphillips8936]

Hi, Thank you for sharing this. Will this work on the sidekick embossing plate? It bent on the very first use and I am so disappointed. Shirley (Canada)

[@Glorialuvs2stamp]

When my plates get this way, I jut turn them over. if you do this about once a week or so they last longer. Another tip, wash your plates off with warm soapy water and dry with a clean towel. Don't use one that you've dried dishes with. it's still possible to transfer dried food to your plates, then it transfer to your cardstock. Not a fun result to your hard work making your project. Happy stamping!

[@nanakellyacker]

I’m just getting started so am I doing this right? Is it suppose to cut into cutting pad? Looks like flowers cutting into pad!

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Dies do cut into the pads - that's what they are there for so if your plates are scarred and well-used, that's OK. Of course you can get replacement pads, they are meant to be replaced after a time - I keep a spare set stored away for when the cutting plate I'm using can't be revived (then I change one at a time!) I really hate throwing away something that could still be useful - and I only "cook" my cutting plate if I'd otherwise be throwing it out so if it does go wrong (which could happen if the oven's too hot or I were to forget about it) I've nothing to lose. The manufacturers DON'T recommend this method, so you try it at your own risk - but I've revived my current cutting plate 5 times so far.

[@astrudlopez2962]

THANK YOUUUUUU MY PLATES ARE WORST THAN THAT , AND WITH THIS I WILL BE ABLE TO USE THEM FOR LONGER TIME

[@aliward7085]

Absolutely brilliant hack!!! Thank you :)

[@CricketsBay]

I use 1 plate for the cutting plate and the other as the top plate and I try to flip them between every pass through the machine. My top plate warps far more than my cutting plate. I do think the newer plates for some of the machines are inferior. Would Sizzix customer service even know if the formula for the plastic or the process for curing the plates after the plastic is melted and rolled out changed at the factory? I don't think they would.

[@carolray3637]

@Marina Hi I'm sure you've heard about this by now but self-healing cutting mats can be used as the cutting pad in these die cut machines. Look for CZcams content on this topic for instructions and sandwich suggestions. Cheers!

[@debfarrow]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will be trying this immediately!

[@lovezahi]

Thanks for the great tip.

[@jocelynboye8530]

JUST USE HOT IRON: ON THE TOP OF YOUR PLATES PUT A TOWEL AND IRON IT IN FULL HEAT - DO NOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT'S HOT, JUST PUT IT AWAY UNTIL COOL DOWN. GOOD LUCK :-)

[@janetcozens4623]

Very clever ty for sharing

[@robinleonard8862]

what a fantastic tip! thanks for sharing that.

[@lbchristensen8732]

Thank you so much for this video. its really helpful. thank you for sharing

[@Lizaxoxo3]

Thank you , love this

[@mtgmystery777]

Wow that's awesome thank you

[@mickeywickham4122]

I tried and it melted had to buy new ones

[@lanabunn]

best method I have seen thanks

[@janes3506]

Does this technique of plate revival actually impede the integrity of the plates make up? i.e does it make the plate prone to shattering whilst in use under pressure?

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

I haven't had any problems but I can only speak from my own experience. I am still using the plate I used in the video by the way.

[@countrygirlcrafts]

Really useful tip thanks for sharing

[@marywright498]

What is the cost of the electricity. Compared to 1 plate price. Just askknh.

[@nickynicole3876]

cette astuce est connue depuis longtemps, ma plaque n'a pas résisté au 1er passage dans la big shot et s'est brisée en deux.. je ne coupe plus qu'avec une plaque en la retournant à chaque passage et surtout je mets les dies au bord quand c'est possible et plus au centre de la plaque, mes plaques restent planes plus longtemps à présent

[@isabellelefevre1358]

Est ce après avoir suivi cette methode que votre plaque c'est cassée en deux ?....

[@nickynicole3876]

oui, tout à fait.. et a cassé net à la 1ère utilisation - elle me sert de palette à présent !

[@nickynicole3876]

il y a d'autres machines sur le marché où le support de coupe fait bien plus d'1 cm.. c'est bien plus rigide, et difficile à courber.. (Pressboy) on ne m'enlèvera pas de la tête que les plaques de coupe rapportent un chiffre d'affaires bien plus important à la marque que la machine elle même.. marre de cette "obsolescence" obligée.. en 7 ans j'en ai quand même racheté quelques jeux.. ce serait à la marque de produire un élément plus solide car ce souci est connu de longue date - mais cela n'empêche pas la coupe, sauf qu'elle se fait moins bien et que la plateforme magnétique ne sert à rien si l'on a des plaques bombées..

[@VintageBohemian]

super cool idea. TFS sweetie

[@joycesugden5709]

Many thanks for sharing with us all the ul

[@dianewilliams7866]

very good idea. I tried putting mine in a vice with unsuccessful result.

[@canaldasalumigas3255]

Nossa , que dica especial . Muito obrigada . Show

[@martiejohnson4387]

I was wondering, instead of filling the roasting dish with water ,do you think adding a few bricks on it instead for the weight instead of water wouldn't that work ??? Just asking . Really good idea though. Thank you for this tip.

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Hi Martie, thanks for the question! Answer is - I don't know, but I can't see any reason why not. I don't have any bricks handy to test it out, though!

[@BlingBlingCrafter]

TY so much. This was so much needed information. I can't TY enough. Is the oven set St 175° ? Wasn't for sure TY4S, Pat from Arkansas

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Hi Pat - my oven thermostat is in Celsius. I generally set it at 170 - 180 C. I'd recommend being a bit cautious and setting the oven cooler if you aren't sure. The important thing is to warm the water up so that it gets close to boiling - the weight of the water plus the warmth is what does the trick - and then let it all cool right down. (I could buy replacements - but I hate discarding something when there's still useful life in it, My current cutting plate has been through this process 5 times)

[@tnmama1217]

TuppenceColoured That would be in the 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. I guess that would be a guideline based on your knowledge of your own oven.

[@ContraryMaryStampin]

Great info 👍🏻

[@redshoesgirl]

i've tried boiling water, roasting in the oven etc. nothing works for very long.
but, i've read that if it bows in the middle - you have to push down to touch the die under or paper, then turn it over.
no. that does not work. the plate will always try to bend UP on the ends. so if your plate bows up in the center, keep using it. the longer you use it, the more the plate will begin to straighten itself. if it becomes bowed DOWN, then turn it over.
also, i've been using a crease plate - guess what - doesn't bow. also i watched a video where a lady used a cut up piece of self-healing cutting mat instead of a top plate.
i bought several sets of new plates after the first set bowed so bad it could not be used. i tried everything. but now working in the way i described above, where the plate flattens itself out, i am not having to use the new ones - yet.
with all the technical and marvelous tools sizzix has at its disposal, you would think they could fix this problem if they wish.
right now those plates are guaranteed money makers.

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Hi lara, thanks for taking the time to shate this. I haven't tried it but it sounds as if it would be worth a go. TBH, I've ben using a self-heling cutting mat as my cutting plate for some time now and I'm finding that it wokrs as well as or better than a clear plat - and it doesn't warp.

[@redshoesgirl]

@@DarkMoonEmporium awesome! i've just about destroyed a self-healing mat with glue and paint and stuff - and no one told me it would warp if my heat gun was pointed at it too long, i may cut that up and buy another one. i have a tim holtz media mat but one can't cut on that, so i still need a cutting mat.

[@lorispallone1130]

Hi Lara, I just purchased my first Sizzix Big Shot yesterday, I also have a Gemini and the now discontinued Cuttlebug. My plates are in horrid condition. It has been a battle to even feed the dies into the machines. I also saw the same video about using a self healing cutting mat, but recently viewed on CZcams about a product called I believe “Magic Mat”, have you seen this? At the end of the day a corporations bottom line isn’t the sale of the die cutting machine, their profit comes from the accessories.

[@jillianselwood]

Fantastic tip, will have to try this as mine are very bowed!

[@janbush9579]

I now buy a4 polycarbonate sheets for about £3. They hardly bend and last for ever. Ebay sell them. Don’t get acrylic.. not right stuff

[@oheck5570]

Appreciate the tip.

[@dawnbrady1793]

Hi TuppenceColoured, when you said to add water to the glass roasting dish can you tell me if it was hot or cold water please, thanks in advance 😊

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Hi Dawn - cold water is fine. Put it into the oven, turn the oven on and leave it to warm up. After it's had about 20 minutes, I turn the oven off and let it get completely cold before I try to move it - I don't want to be moving heavy dishes full of boiling water around, I'm too accident-prone to take risks with something that could scald me!

[@dawnbrady1793]

Thanks very much TuppenceColoured for being so quick to reply, as for getting scalded...the same thing would probably happen to me so I will definitely wait until it’s cooled down.

[@lbchristensen8732]

thank you for sharing this

[@arriettysbags]

thank you for this tip, is that 170 Celsius or Fahrenheit, I couldn't quite hear what you said.

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

It's about 110 Celsius. You just need to get the water in the dish to near boiling, turn the oven off, and let it cool down. The warmth and weight of the water is what does the trick!

[@arriettysbags]

@@DarkMoonEmporium Thank you :)

[@bournonville13]

This Will make the plates crisp, more likely to break..

[@rogerelliot3932]

How to cut happy birthday

[@jenniferlewis5133]

where in Wales are you from, me-originally from Pembrokeshire now Berkshire, good tip by the way!

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Hi Jennifer, I live in Swansea. I'm originally from Pontypridd (Mid Glamorgan) .

[@jenniferlewis5133]

TuppenceColoured . Hi, I lived in Swansea back in 1968 which is where i gave birth to my daughter, nice to see and hear a welsh accent from the array of utube tutorials out there, i'm never off my tablet, learning new crafts every day. What else do you do on utube? x

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

Hi again Jennifer - I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator so I mostly do tutorials with SU stiff. I can't help the accent so I'm glad you like it!

[@jenniferlewis5133]

TuppenceColoured BE proud of your accent and being Welsh, i know i am! Do you speak Welsh, it is my first language. x

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

I learned it in school as a second language. I read it reasonably well but don't really speak it!

[@jenniferlewis5133]

tuppence, what is SU STUFF?

[@DarkMoonEmporium]

SU is s Stampin' Up.

[@mariehill4092]

Tried this and my plates completely warped. Won't ever do this again.

[@maggieedwards7108]

OR...you could just turn it over after each use. Tada! Straight plate

[@lesleywilliams678]

No, that isn't enough to stop them warping. I've always turned them for each use and they still warp.

[@mydyisgod]

Would be nice if it did work that way, but alas, it doesn’t

[@angelinafernandez8425]

wow! who kmew. tfs