The standard supplied Silhouette Cameo cutting mats are frankly, rubbish.  The material is cheap and very easy to cut into.  The tackiness does not last long once in use and they are darn expensive.

There are many alternatives available on eBay from Chinese Importers and they can't be beaten on price.  However, with a 3-4 minute hack the best mats on the market will work in your Silhouette Cameo.  Cricut give you 2 cutting mats for a cheaper price the Silhouette's single mat.

The two brands mats are different but it's very simple to make the Cricut compatible.  Simply place the used Silhouette mat on top of a new Cricut mat - lining up the grids precisely (check top and bottom)  You should not be able to see the white lines of the Cricut mat through the clear Silhouette Mat.

You should not be able to see the white lines of the Cricut mat once positioned correctly.

Taking your marker pen, draw round the outside of the Silhouette Mat - All 4 sides.  With a metal ruler or straight edge, use the craft knife to remove excess from the green Cricut mat.  If need be, use a nail file or emery board to remove any edges.  Your new Cricut mat will now work perfectly within your Cameo machine.   Enjoy the savings and the additional length of  service you will get from these superior consumables.

Further savings can be made by Refreshing Your Mat  - Making Me Sticky Again.

Clean - Mask - Spray
1

Cleaning

Use the edge of a credit card to remove as much dust, lint, glue as you can.  Take warm (not hot) soapy water (washing up detergent) and a sponge scourer and lightly remove as much residual glue/tackiness as possible.  DO NOT SUBMERGE.  Once the surface feels smooth ALLOW TO AIR DRY.

2

Mask

Using painters masking tape mask off the entire non gridded area (we dont wish to get adhesive on the roller edges.)

3

Spray

IN A WELL VENTILATED ROOM or better still Outside.  Using doCrafts Stick it! REPOSITIONABLE spray adhesive, spray a light coating from approximately 12 inches away, making sure you get the corners and edges.  Leave for 1 minute.  If you wish for a strong tck mat repeat the process.  Recover mat with anti-dust sheet that came with the mat.  Remove masking tape after about an hour.  Your mat will be as good as new.

Now go visit Craftstash and spend those savings.

Best Regards,   Predergast.             fb:   cardcarftbymarkjames