Fixing & Avoiding Warped Die Cutting Plates

How to fix warped cutting plates and avoid warping! Also, a way to avoid Gemini plates from warping.
** SUPPLIES ARE LINKED TO STORES BELOW

------ SUPPLIES ------

Affiliate links may be used at no cost to you. Product disclosure below.

• Gemini Double Sided Cutting Plates

• Gemini Junior Plates

• Gemini Junior Die Cut Machine

• Anna Griffin Empress Die Cut Maachine

• Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cut Machine

• Spellbinders Petite Floral Potpourri Dies

• Memory Box Thanks Cursive Script Circle Die

• Lawn Fawn Tropical Leaves Dies

• Altenew Diamond Frame Cover Die

• Clear Packing Tape

• Easy See Tape

• ManiMe Can You Believe Nails

• ManiMe Ocean Air Nails

• Dashing Diva Blue Violet Glaze Nails

• Lily and Fox Groovy Baby Nails

------ FOR CURRENT CRAFTY SALES ------

------ DISCLOSURE ------

Please follow safety when using any products. See manufacturers website, etc.

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[laurabuehler]

I created my own shim to use only if I'm not getting a good cut. I ran a laminating pouch through my laminator and created a clear plastic sheet. You can them trim it down to fit into your machine. It's not super thick like metal and it still has some "give" to it. It doesn't flatten over time the way a cardstock shim does so it can be used over and over again. If someone needs a slightly thicker shim they can laminate a piece of cardstock to have the thickness of the cardstock added to the thickness of the laminated pouch.

[ninasocal]

Just jumped up after watching this....startled my husband....boiled water, waited the 20 minutes....and...WHOO HOO! I have an old Cuttlebug machine so these plates have been around a long time. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing!

[lindakf]

Jennifer, "thank you" doesn't seem like enough, not just for your wonderful videos through the years, but for this one especially because it is geared for everyone who uses a die-cutting machine. If there was a Hall of Fame for crafters like you who produce such highly informative and professional videos consistently, you would surely be nominated every year in the category of "Best 'Sharing' Crafter through Video Excellence".

[s_rofbear]

“Ken is a chemical engineer, and he’s going to use words none of us can understand…”

I can’t tell you how excited that sentence made me! 😂

My little nerdy heart was like, “Ooooo! New words! Learning! Knowledge! Yay!”

Edited to add: Ken’s explanation was wonderful! There were new phrases for sure (I can’t say “glass transition temperature” has been an everyday phrase for me 😅) but the explanation was still perfectly understandable!

My little nerd heart thanks you for including the science behind the method! I enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed watching wonky plates become straight ones again. 😁

[cindiyoungstead]

I love how you and Ken work together. (Nerds of a feather work well together!) We can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done and continue to do for our wonderful crafty community!

[cfluto]

Thank you, Ken, for mentioning the dangerous vapors that are released in the oven.

[lisaloiselle]

I wish I had known about this years ago. I have gone through so many big shot plates. THANK YOU! And nerds make the world go round.

[ritamariacastillo]

Thanks for sharing, Jennifer. I´ve been doing the hot water procedure for more than a year, except that I leave the plates in soapy water to loosen the paper fibers trapped in them, since hot water expands the material it´s easier to brush off the residue. It works for me.

[facsmom]

Thank you so much for the research, testing, and sharing:). I am a retired home ec teacher who LOVED the marriage of science and life (food, nutrition, fabric, clothing, household materials . . . ). Whenever I think of Ken I think of Press-n-Seal traveling from kitchen to craft room♥️

[ArtemisToo]

You are a godsend to the papercrafting community, which this video demonstrates so well, and I just want you to know how much we cherish you!

[betsygreen]

Thanks Jennifer! I am excited to try this when I need it next. Thanks to Ken for the explanation too. I'm not a scientist, but always appreciate understanding the "why" of things.

[charsbabushka]

PS The glass info from Ken was really amazing. I did not know that glass would continue to flow. What a great piece of knowledge.

[EnvisionThisNow]

I have a Gemini and used your technique to flatten my plates and it worked like a dream. I did one thing different though. I didn't remove them after 20 min or so, I actually waited till the water cooled right down. My plates came out perfectly flat. One plates had one die cut mark in it and you can't even tell anymore, its gone!, talk about a WOW moment. The other plate's marks decreased significantly but can still see some remnants of die cuts in it. But all in all, I couldn't be happier for them now being the next best thing to new :) Tyvm for sharing this with us!! ... and I thank your hubby too!

[JenniferCountryTwinkle]

Tried this method last night. All I can say is THANK YOU Jennifer! Worked like a charm!

[jacquipaper]

Thank you Jenifer for confirming what I have been doing for years. We need your videos and benefit from them greatly.
Bless Ken, he is a super wonderful chap.
I too am from an engineering family and we see things differently to other people, it is a blessing and it has taken years to be happy being a square peg in a round hole type of person.

[colbycheeze]

I LOVE this information from your husband. I really appreciate it and no, I don't think he's a nerd; he's an engineer. Makes so much more sense to receive a scientific reason for this. Thank you

[bretonbird]

Love this. I have another hint. I have extended plates and large Gemini plates that will not fit under a pot fully. I use a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with sides) and put in a small amount of boiling water and the plate. Then I put another jelly roll pan on top. Add more boiling water and then a heavy pot on top. This gives even pressure throughout so no end curls or water bubble blips to deal with.

[wxmynqo]

Thanks for taking the time to show us this technique. And, thanks to your husband for explaining the why.

[nancyfinney]

So glad I saved all of my warped plates! I stopped using my gemini because of the warping. I should be going to bed but boiling water instead lol. You are a rock star!

[mmmmlllljohn]

Who knew our plastic plates had glass in them and that stain glass windows could flow …! So interesting, thanks, Ken! And thank you, Jennifer, for being so tenacious in finding solutions for us crafters! ❤️🇨🇦