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!
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.
Love this tip. I got a laminated piece as packing material and use it but it is getting warn so this is a great option. I was thinking of using a sheet of acetate from packaging but this seems more durable. Thanks.
I was so pleased Ken mentioned this as well Carol. I have seen a number of videos on flattening plates by putting them in a very hot oven and I have known for some time that when you heat plastic toxins can be released. I would not insult the provider of those videos but it's very concerning when being told to do something dangerous.
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!
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".
“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. 😁
I'm married to a brilliant chemical engineer and my daughter just finished her second year of chemical engineering study at Colorado School of Mines. When they get together, it sounds to me like they are speaking in a foreign language! Love my nerds so much!!
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!
Jennifer, you may not describe yourself as an expert but you are the first person I turn to when I have a question about anything cardmaking-related! Thank you for this excellent tutorial! ❤️
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.
I am so glad you showed the double sided Gemini plates. I purchased a set when they came out over a year ago, and kept asking on tons of videos if they could be used on single dies. No one ever responded that I can recall... I even questioned on the Facebook Crafters Companion posts... A few months ago i broke down and started using one, and to my absolute amazement and shock, it has NEVER warped and has cut great. I think they will be my only future purchase on plates. I have the warped clear plates, and plan on using your boiling water method to try and straighten them out. Taping my plates did not work for me. I love my Gemini Jr... and with you sharing this tip others will not be afraid of using the double sided plates for regular dies. I guess I was afraid my dies would somehow warp themselves using these fantastic plates and be ruined. Thank you so much for helping us crafters out who may not have the resources you have... sharing your info has been a life saver for many of us ! Thanks to Ken too... His explanation makes perfect sense ! Happy Crafting !! Stay safe...
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
Get a Magic Mat and your top plate for your Big Shot shouldn't warp ... at all! I got the Magic Mat and absolutely no warping from my Big Kick. I LOVE it. But my Gemini warped it! So I won't ever use my MM in the Gemini again.
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♥️
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.
OMG I choked on my drink. I am married to a chemical engineer too and they talk in a different language. Great tips though that I hope to explore to save some money on plates so I can spend more money on the fun stuff!!
I have spent all day cleaning and organising my craft room. I am now going to take my warped plates back out of the bin to try this process so thank you so much 😊
Hello! A few added things: - The double sided plates will be back in stock soon! *** UPDATE: The green double sided plates have not warped at all. It does wear after ton of of die cutting (1000+ passes), but I just used the other side and continued. So - as with any cutting plates - they will have to be replaced at some point but not due to warping. *** REMINDER: Cutting plates are meant to be replaced eventually. Eventually all plates will wear too much, break, etc. But I find these tricks help to make them easier to work with for the life of the plates! (aka no warping) - Someone asked if the double sided gemini plates will dull your dies. i have not noticed that happening, and i have mass-produced-die-cut with them. and i would assume they wouldn't dull them as those plates were designed for it. That is my guess! - I have not tried these double-sided plates with other machines. - I do not think flattening plates will effect the life of a plate. But it is hard to say and be sure. Plates are expected to have a limited life span and be replaced at some point anyway. I am just trying to find a way to make them useable for a longer time :) - To see the correct way to use the double sided plates with double sided dies, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/5xJde8V2gXA/видео.html
Will those double sided plates work on the big shot? I ended up with one of the cute double sided dies as a gift....but only have a big shot..thanks for all the great ideas!
Well what’s interesting is that these plates are made for double sides die cuts but warp less because they are made stronger than the regular plates. Im all for reducing the layers that is needed t get the same outcome, especially when it is less work for maintenance. 😌 Its the gemini thats new to me, not purchasing new cutting plates. Ive had mega dozens of those.
I tried the boiling water thing with one of my green plates because I thought it would get rid of so much white stuff embedded in the plate. It was not warped. I thought it was paper. It did not get rid of the white stuff and very little paper stuff came out. BUT I have a feeling that procedure was not good for those particular plates because now the plate is chipping chunks of plastic off on the one side that is always against the cutting side of the die. It's almost like a layer is coming off. I have only had the plates since Sept. 7th and have not done nearly the cutting that you undoubtedly do, Jennifer. So I ordered a new set. For now I turned the plate over and will use it that way until it needs replacing. Then I will move the other plate I'm using now to the side that's getting all the cutting and put one of the brand new ones in it's place. (Clear as mud?) Anyway. I so love not having to add shims or mats or metal sheets, etc. Just the two clear and two green. I did not tape mine as it was really no problem. Would it be better to tape them, though?
We used to live in a VERY old house and it was always fun to show visitors how the bottom of the glass in our window was thicker than the top! We never did replace those windows because they were well made (and a fun conversation piece).
Okay, so this is 3 years old but the timing could not have been any more perfect! I just followed your suggestions today with my Gemini 9 x 12 badly warped plates and WOW!! WOW is actually an understatement! Thank you so, so much. This is a total game-changer!
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! ❤️🇨🇦
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!
OMG you are a genius, I bought my Gemini a few months ago, but it was driving me mad as my plate were warping and my card stock was just a mess, this option is incredible, I am sitting using my machine and positively purring at how nice my die cuts are now.... Genius... thank you
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.
Started the partial die cutting card and had to stop to do this to my warped cutting plate. Tidied the kitchen and did dishes while I waited. Let it cool while I ate lunch and less than hour later I was back to work in my craft room. How easy this was!
Thank you so much for all the research and sharing that you do. Thank you also to Ken for sharing is knowledge! I have to admit, I loved his video where he snuck into your craft room and made a card. A nerd with a great sense of humor is a win-win!!!!!
I heated water a small(5”) and medium (8”) flat-bottomed saucepan til boiling. Put plate in 9x13 heavy aluminum cake pan in the sink. Poured water from medium pot in the pan over the plate and put small pot with boiling water on the middle of the warp. (Small pot pressed on the middle bulge.) Filled a larger 10” pot with tap water and balanced it on the medium pan for weight! After about 20 min, I poured the water from the large pot into the pan so the plates would cool and harden with the weight of the small pot still on it. Poured water from the medium pot also (can scrub with a bit of detergent and a brush if needed. Good improvement in the 6 warped plates I tried.
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.
Me too. I also discovered that I can put them in my dishwasher. I don't have to boil water then! I have the large gemini also. I put all the prongs of my bottom dishwasher rack down (all of them will lay down rather than stand up. I then put a large cookie sheet, my plate(s), another cookie sheet on top and a heavy pot on top if that 2nd cookie sheet. Turn my dishwasher on and walk away. When the cycle, including the dry cycle is done and the water in the pot has cooled, I come back and dump the pot of water out and remove the cookie sheets and my plates are flat again! I figured this out bcz I was tired of getting water all over my counter when doing the cookie sheets on my counter with boiling water since my sink is a double and not big enough to accommodate the larger cookie sheets. That being said, DO NOT PUT YOUR CUTTING PLATES FREESTANDING IN THE DISHWASHER. THEY WILL CURVE UP LIKE NO OTHER. I HAD HEARD GINA K SAY SHE JUST PUTS HERS IN THE DISHWASHER AND THEY COME OUT GREAT SO THAT'S WHAT I DID. I was able to fix them by boiling water and softening them enough to get a less of a curve in them and then I did the cookie sheet thing in my dishwasher and to my surprise that's how they came out flat again. Otherwise I was going to be buying 4 new plates
I have recently received a used Gemini junior machine the plates are not to bad at the minute but if I do the tip in this video, does the pot that goes on top have to have boiling water in as well? Or could I just boil the kettle then pour that in the plates and put like an empty sauce pan on top? Sorry I’m replying to. Your comment it won’t let me comment otherwise
My crafting has been elevated to new heights by watching your videos. You and your videos are TOTALLY AWESOME as is your desire to share you ideas and spread the joy! My first attempt at "unwarping" was not as successful as I had hoped, but I determined the reason was that the pot of water that I set on top did not have enough weight. I had much better luck when I added more weight to that top pot. Rather than getting a bigger pot with more water (and the chance of it spilling out), I put a pizza pan on top of the pot and added an item that was very heavy. THANK YOU for this video and all the others, too!
Thank you for sharing this. Unfortunately, my plate was SO warped that the boiling water didn't work! I decided to put it in my toster oven. Since boiling water is 212 degrees, I figured that close to that was worth a try. 225 didn't work, but 250 worked like a charm!
Thank you so much! I was literally just now staring at my plates wondering how to fix the warping! All I could think was "I'll have to go buy more..." . You're awesome and I just love your videos! Thank you to Ken as well!!
I’m so glad you publicized this video again / I bought the double sided plates to try the technique but for the life of me couldn’t remember the instructions or where I’d seen them. Jennifer and her nerdy family to the rescue once again. So excited to use my gemini again!! Thank you!
Thanks for this update. Since switching to a self healing mat, only the mat has warped, not the cutting plates. I have tried 3 different brands of self healing. They do straighten using a heat tool. I usually want until all three are badly warped before getting the heat tool out. Just ordered the Gemini jr. double sided cutting plates. (Plus a few items from my wish list. You can’t just order one thing, right!?!)
I had 2 very badly warped clear plates and a warped shim. I tried your system but gave them much less time, I could actually see them levelling out, but it still worked 😊 thank you for the idea.
Thank you so, so much. Best 'warped' advice ever! Have just flattened five Gemini plates, that had been put to the back of a drawer, awaiting resurrection, and only to be used in dire emergencies. Thanks again.
My big shot is only 5 days old and it’s my first buy, and my plates were already getting warped, because i had been experimenting a lot and trying my dies. It gave me so much anxiety to see the plates like that just a few days after investing so much money in it. But this tip is really a life saver. It worked like a charm. My plates are absolutely straight now and I am going to follow the rest of the tips too. Thank you so much Jennifer.
Thanks for the wonderful tips, I’ll definitely try these. I bought the double sided plates by mistake and when I realized it, it was to late to return them. I don’t own any double sided dies. They’ve been taking up space in my craft room for about a year, now they’ll come in handy.
Trying this out today. Glad I hoarded my warped plates. I never tried putting them in the oven because I was leery of the chemicals so this is an awesome alternative 😊
Thank you so much, I just today threw atleast 6 plates in the trash that were warped, needless to say I took them out of the trash can to try this procedure!,, Thank you so much!!!!!!
This video has came at the perfect time!! I am literally in the process of returning my gemini because of this issue. Had my plates for only a month and it bent to the point where it won't go in the machine.
When my large plate split I cut it in half, filed the rough edge and now have 2 smaller plates for when I'm using small dies. Saves throwing the plates away and I only use my large plate for large dies
Just this afternoon I threw out a couple of warped plates and ordered more. Came into craft room and found your post. Dug the plates out of the trash and started this video. Couldn't wait stopped video ran into kitchen and put a pot of water on to boil. Came back and watched the rest of this wonderful informative video. I also had tried the hot water method but it didn't work for me but placing the hot and heavy pot on the plate makes great sense. I can't wait to see the results. Time is up I am going to go and check. Thank you so much.
Jennifer in February I bought a Platinum 6 machine and within a month my plates were warped and I was beside myself on what to do. I of course ordered new plates, but they took time to arrive. So I put the old plates in the dishwasher without much success. They were cleaner, then I decided to rotate them with every cut. This was easy because Spellbinders has printing on one end of each plate. When I finished die cutting I would insert the Label end in differently each time I die cut. This helped to straighten out my plates and LOL I am still using the old plates and they work beautifully. I will try straightening out my Gemini plates with your method and I ordered the double sided plates. Thank you so much for all this information, you are the best.
Thank you so much for this tip. I tried it yesterday on a couple of plates that were badly warped. They are not perfect but are a ton better than before. Thank you too for the explanation of how it works and the dangers of heating the plates in the oven. As usual you did not disappoint in any way.
thank you for the tips - I also keep one of my cutting plates as a "do not cut plate" . Since I don't cut into it, it doesn't seem to warp and therefore I always have a flat surface to run through my machine. I have also purchased the self healing cut mats and have great success with those
Thank you Jennifer and "resident nerd" hubby. I'm going to try this on my warped plates. I'm subscribing as you and your husband saved me from spending money as I'm on a fixed income. Be well and stay safe.
a Thank you Jennifer. Also, thank your husband.. He brought several smiles to my face and I even teared up. Your husband sounds so much like my dad, both in voice and what he said. My dad was a shipping engineer for PPG many years ago. It was a pleasure listening to Ken.
Wonderful thanks for sharing. I also flip my plates and move the dies around and don’t have much warping. Loved the idea of not putting the background dies in straight I’m gonna do that from now on.
Thanks so much for the tip and all the time you spent doing the research. I actually got rid of my Gemini Jr. because the warping was such an issue. I can't wait to try this out.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I literally just went to the trash and retrieved the plate I finally had to give up on because it was starting to bend my dies. This method WORKED! It's been revived!
awesome! Thanks Jennifer and hubby!! I tried the oven thing last year on a couple warped plates and your hubby is right .... plasticides!!!! i didnt notice any foul odors, but I never used the oven method again cause it really made those plates brittle and one cracked in half while I ran it through my Vagabond! the other kept crackin, and was never the same again.... gonna try this boil method tomorrow!! thanks so much for this awesome vid, Jennifer !!!!!!!
I use the advertising cards that come in the mail. Many have a coating that adds just that little bit of thickness for a good cut. The thin kitchen cutting mats from the dollar store work well too.
Thank you so very much for all these tips!! I can’t wait to try them all. Please tell your hubby Thank you for his professional nerdy explanation. That was VERY HELPFUL!!! I just ordered the larger double sided plates for my Gemini. Enjoy your time at the lake!!!!
Loved Ken's explanation. I have just enough science background to follow what he was saying, and he has just enough crafter background to use clear language. Another great and timely video, Jennifer!
Thanks Jennifer for your months of checking out machines for us and of course your tips. I have all of the Manuel die cutting machines but bc I now have arthritis and it hurts my hands to keep manually rotating those handles I'm buying a electric machine in at the end of this month (Jan 2022) I' ve been leaning towards a Gemini but now I don't know if it should be Anna Griffin's or a Gemini. If there are ladies out there that can give me their opinion if they have either or both I'd appreciate the feedback as this is the LAST one I want to buy. Jennifer, I had to laugh when you introduced your husband as a nerd because I am extremely proud of my physicist/scientist nerd husband and all our nerdy friends. If I don't have an answer one of them will! lol They come in extremely handy. 😁 Please thank your husband because I understood exactly what he was explaining. Thank you too for all the things you share with all of us in the card crafting world. I know I started watching you yrs ago. Take care!
I don't know which one to recommend but there is also a new electric one by Sizzix out that is called the Sizzix Switch. You might want to look into that one as well.
I have always done everything you’ve mentioned here using my Gemini full sized machine. It all works well. The only warping I get is in the plastic shim, which I think, over time is inevitable. Thanks for sharing this with those who weren’t aware. I found Ken’s explanation very interesting, I do like to know the reasoning behind things. Nerd 🤣
“I do like to know the reasoning behind things”!!! I was always one of those kids who went searching for the “Why”. Can’t remember actually ASKING that question, but maybe by the time I could’ve recalled those events, I probably had been told “Just Because!” often enough to have caused me to go looking for my own answers. My fella says I’ve not changed a lick!!
Great video on preserving and fixing our cutting plates Jennifer! One little tip I'd like to add if I may, which helps make it easy to know when it's time to 'flip' your cutting plate and use the other side, to reduce warping. This is when the centre feels like it's springing up if you put pressure with your finger in the centre of the plate, that's the time to flip it, and cut into the convex side. Essentially, if you rotate your plates regularly, and always cut into the slight convex side (as you know, if you cut a bunch on the same side this happens), this will even the plate back out again. I have Sizzix Big Shot plates and this works really well to extend the life on these. I'm so totally going to try your boiling water and pressure treatment on my very warped eBosser plates though. I bought that machine before leaving the UK and learning the 'rotate regularly' trick! So those plates will benefit from your clever repair trick, thank you so much! Thanks to your hubby too for his fabulous explanation.
Thank you. It is always fun hearing the “geeky” explanation. My Husband is a nerd too and has a chemistry/physics background. There is a lot of pressure being applied to the plates. Us crazy hard core creators make these machines work hard for us. My biggest problem is dark cardstock getting embedded in the cut lines, which I just scrub out….need to try the hot steamy water. =) I don’t think the plates were made to last forever as some think. At the end of the day these are cheap machines for what some of us put them through. I just expect to have to replace plates every so often.
I just saw this video this week. I tried the boiling water method and girl, let me tell you, it worked! I had to do it twice, but that's ok. I did sit it outside on a paver and had to place added weight on top of the pan lid. I left it outside for about 45 mins-1hr (only because I forgot it was outside). When I took the pan off (the second time), the cutting plate was as straight as the day I bought it. I'm so jazzed about this method. Thank you!!!
That explanation is so cool!! There is a church in St Ive’s, England with our family seal and special stained glass window! It is fascinating to know that glass always moves. Thanks so much to both of you!! What a team!! 😄🙌🏻
From one nerd family to another, thank you. This was great and the explanation was clear and very interesting. Your husband and my husband would have great conversations, LOL. By the way, Jennifer, you are the best crafting teacher on the RUclips. I have learned so much from you.
Hi Jennifer, my Gemini Jr plates came out so good, it almost looked like new (WOW), my Gemini needed a little more weight in the water so I added a brick and that helped and it came out very straight. That has to be the best tip out there, you saved me from buying new plates and I am very happy about that. Thank you so much. Blessing!
Oh my gosh! My cutting plates were so warped I had already added a new set to my next order. I had seen the video for the oven method, and thought what the heck I’ll give it a try as I will have a new set coming if it didn’t work. Then, I saw your video and tried it instead. It worked! Total game changer!! I have removed the cutting plates from my order as my old ones are like new! I am going to wait a couple of days before using them just to give them more time to set. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much, you paper engineering and crafting goddess! I just love how your mind works, and thanks also to your husband for his engineering presence and expertise. I am off to go try the hot pans with my Spellbinder plates. Hope you had some lake fun after all this work!
This was such a simple to do fix and I appreciate you sharing it (smoothing out warped plates), Jennifer - plus the sciency explanation. The cathedral fact was SO interesting! Currently have a Sizzix plate in hot water with a saucepan sitting on it. I have just moved house so ditched the really old, warped plates, so was excited to find a warped one, lol.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have a mini die cut machine that I can't buy replacement cutting plates for and this technique worked so well to fix my cutting plates.
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!
He didnt think you were about to give birth then!
Thank you Jennifer for all the research, you are going to help so many people save money with this advice.
I use an old cuttlebug too!
How FANTASTIC for those with Cuttlebug machines, as the plates are no longer made. WONDERFUL!!!
Thank you for taking the time to do this and thank your husband for his comments!
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.
Thank you Laura, I will give that a go 💜
what a good idea. Might give this a go, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for the laminating tip. Will try it.
So clever!
Love this tip. I got a laminated piece as packing material and use it but it is getting warn so this is a great option. I was thinking of using a sheet of acetate from packaging but this seems more durable. Thanks.
Thank you, Ken, for mentioning the dangerous vapors that are released in the oven.
I was so pleased Ken mentioned this as well Carol. I have seen a number of videos on flattening plates by putting them in a very hot oven and I have known for some time that when you heat plastic toxins can be released. I would not insult the provider of those videos but it's very concerning when being told to do something dangerous.
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!
Our pleasure!
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".
and instead of a statue, she should get a crown!
“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. 😁
Love nerds!
I feel the same @Sarah P!
I'm married to a brilliant chemical engineer and my daughter just finished her second year of chemical engineering study at Colorado School of Mines. When they get together, it sounds to me like they are speaking in a foreign language! Love my nerds so much!!
Thank you Jennifer and thank you Ken for sharing the dangers of putting plastic in a hot oven. Much appreciated.
You are so welcome!
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!
Jennifer, you may not describe yourself as an expert but you are the first person I turn to when I have a question about anything cardmaking-related! Thank you for this excellent tutorial! ❤️
Tried this method last night. All I can say is THANK YOU Jennifer! Worked like a charm!
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!
You are so very sweet. Thank you
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.
Sounds great!
WOW! I noticed the "crud" right away! That is amazing!
I am so glad you showed the double sided Gemini plates. I purchased a set when they came out over a year ago, and kept asking on tons of videos if they could be used on single dies. No one ever responded that I can recall... I even questioned on the Facebook Crafters Companion posts... A few months ago i broke down and started using one, and to my absolute amazement and shock, it has NEVER warped and has cut great. I think they will be my only future purchase on plates. I have the warped clear plates, and plan on using your boiling water method to try and straighten them out. Taping my plates did not work for me. I love my Gemini Jr... and with you sharing this tip others will not be afraid of using the double sided plates for regular dies. I guess I was afraid my dies would somehow warp themselves using these fantastic plates and be ruined. Thank you so much for helping us crafters out who may not have the resources you have... sharing your info has been a life saver for many of us ! Thanks to Ken too... His explanation makes perfect sense ! Happy Crafting !! Stay safe...
Thanks for taking the time to show us this technique. And, thanks to your husband for explaining the why.
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
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I just finished all my plates, they look perfect. I am so happy that I found your channel
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.
Get a Magic Mat and your top plate for your Big Shot shouldn't warp ... at all! I got the Magic Mat and absolutely no warping from my Big Kick. I LOVE it. But my Gemini warped it! So I won't ever use my MM in the Gemini again.
We may not make the world go round, but we keep the gears oiled, and the thing tuned up!! 🧐🤪🤭
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♥️
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.
Glad it was helpful!
OMG I choked on my drink. I am married to a chemical engineer too and they talk in a different language. Great tips though that I hope to explore to save some money on plates so I can spend more money on the fun stuff!!
I have spent all day cleaning and organising my craft room. I am now going to take my warped plates back out of the bin to try this process so thank you so much 😊
thank you for spending so much time researching what works best!!!
Hello! A few added things:
- The double sided plates will be back in stock soon!
*** UPDATE: The green double sided plates have not warped at all. It does wear after ton of of die cutting (1000+ passes), but I just used the other side and continued. So - as with any cutting plates - they will have to be replaced at some point but not due to warping.
*** REMINDER: Cutting plates are meant to be replaced eventually. Eventually all plates will wear too much, break, etc. But I find these tricks help to make them easier to work with for the life of the plates! (aka no warping)
- Someone asked if the double sided gemini plates will dull your dies. i have not noticed that happening, and i have mass-produced-die-cut with them. and i would assume they wouldn't dull them as those plates were designed for it. That is my guess!
- I have not tried these double-sided plates with other machines.
- I do not think flattening plates will effect the life of a plate. But it is hard to say and be sure. Plates are expected to have a limited life span and be replaced at some point anyway. I am just trying to find a way to make them useable for a longer time :)
- To see the correct way to use the double sided plates with double sided dies, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/5xJde8V2gXA/видео.html
Will those double sided plates work on the big shot? I ended up with one of the cute double sided dies as a gift....but only have a big shot..thanks for all the great ideas!
Will the taped sandwich plates work in the empress?
I normally don't tape the empress, and use empress plates with it only. And I don't have problems with them warping. 🤷♀️
Well what’s interesting is that these plates are made for double sides die cuts but warp less because they are made stronger than the regular plates. Im all for reducing the layers that is needed t get the same outcome, especially when it is less work for maintenance. 😌 Its the gemini thats new to me, not purchasing new cutting plates. Ive had mega dozens of those.
I tried the boiling water thing with one of my green plates because I thought it would get rid of so much white stuff embedded in the plate. It was not warped. I thought it was paper. It did not get rid of the white stuff and very little paper stuff came out. BUT I have a feeling that procedure was not good for those particular plates because now the plate is chipping chunks of plastic off on the one side that is always against the cutting side of the die. It's almost like a layer is coming off. I have only had the plates since Sept. 7th and have not done nearly the cutting that you undoubtedly do, Jennifer. So I ordered a new set. For now I turned the plate over and will use it that way until it needs replacing. Then I will move the other plate I'm using now to the side that's getting all the cutting and put one of the brand new ones in it's place. (Clear as mud?) Anyway. I so love not having to add shims or mats or metal sheets, etc. Just the two clear and two green. I did not tape mine as it was really no problem. Would it be better to tape them, though?
Thank you for always being kind and positive and sharing your knowledge ❤
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.
We used to live in a VERY old house and it was always fun to show visitors how the bottom of the glass in our window was thicker than the top! We never did replace those windows because they were well made (and a fun conversation piece).
Okay, so this is 3 years old but the timing could not have been any more perfect! I just followed your suggestions today with my Gemini 9 x 12 badly warped plates and WOW!! WOW is actually an understatement! Thank you so, so much. This is a total game-changer!
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! ❤️🇨🇦
I keep reviewing this video. It is so comprehensive. It took me years to find these tips out. Bless you
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!
My green plates are a little smaller then my clear plates. Will this cause one to break?
OMG you are a genius, I bought my Gemini a few months ago, but it was driving me mad as my plate were warping and my card stock was just a mess, this option is incredible, I am sitting using my machine and positively purring at how nice my die cuts are now.... Genius... thank you
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.
Thank you! Great info! Ever notice how many of us crafters have nerdy households? There is definitely something to that!
Excellent Video. And so, so good to finally "hear" the voice behind the man responsible for Press n Seal. Well done!
Thank you very much!
Started the partial die cutting card and had to stop to do this to my warped cutting plate. Tidied the kitchen and did dishes while I waited. Let it cool while I ate lunch and less than hour later I was back to work in my craft room. How easy this was!
Thank you so much for all the research and sharing that you do. Thank you also to Ken for sharing is knowledge! I have to admit, I loved his video where he snuck into your craft room and made a card. A nerd with a great sense of humor is a win-win!!!!!
I agree!
I heated water a small(5”) and medium (8”) flat-bottomed saucepan til boiling. Put plate in 9x13 heavy aluminum cake pan in the sink. Poured water from medium pot in the pan over the plate and put small pot with boiling water on the middle of the warp. (Small pot pressed on the middle bulge.) Filled a larger 10” pot with tap water and balanced it on the medium pan for weight! After about 20 min, I poured the water from the large pot into the pan so the plates would cool and harden with the weight of the small pot still on it. Poured water from the medium pot also (can scrub with a bit of detergent and a brush if needed. Good improvement in the 6 warped plates I tried.
I appreciate your time on this and sharing it with us.
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.
Great idea!
Me too. I also discovered that I can put them in my dishwasher. I don't have to boil water then! I have the large gemini also. I put all the prongs of my bottom dishwasher rack down (all of them will lay down rather than stand up. I then put a large cookie sheet, my plate(s), another cookie sheet on top and a heavy pot on top if that 2nd cookie sheet. Turn my dishwasher on and walk away. When the cycle, including the dry cycle is done and the water in the pot has cooled, I come back and dump the pot of water out and remove the cookie sheets and my plates are flat again! I figured this out bcz I was tired of getting water all over my counter when doing the cookie sheets on my counter with boiling water since my sink is a double and not big enough to accommodate the larger cookie sheets.
That being said, DO NOT PUT YOUR CUTTING PLATES FREESTANDING IN THE DISHWASHER. THEY WILL CURVE UP LIKE NO OTHER. I HAD HEARD GINA K SAY SHE JUST PUTS HERS IN THE DISHWASHER AND THEY COME OUT GREAT SO THAT'S WHAT I DID. I was able to fix them by boiling water and softening them enough to get a less of a curve in them and then I did the cookie sheet thing in my dishwasher and to my surprise that's how they came out flat again. Otherwise I was going to be buying 4 new plates
I have recently received a used Gemini junior machine the plates are not to bad at the minute but if I do the tip in this video, does the pot that goes on top have to have boiling water in as well? Or could I just boil the kettle then pour that in the plates and put like an empty sauce pan on top? Sorry I’m replying to. Your comment it won’t let me comment otherwise
@@lilysandell4638 the heavy pot of boiling water is for the weight of the water and the heat to keep it at temperature long enough to do the job.
Thank you for Ken’s explanation - direct, brief, understandable!! I appreciate knowing the whys……like any good nerd! :)
My crafting has been elevated to new heights by watching your videos. You and your videos are TOTALLY AWESOME as is your desire to share you ideas and spread the joy! My first attempt at "unwarping" was not as successful as I had hoped, but I determined the reason was that the pot of water that I set on top did not have enough weight. I had much better luck when I added more weight to that top pot. Rather than getting a bigger pot with more water (and the chance of it spilling out), I put a pizza pan on top of the pot and added an item that was very heavy. THANK YOU for this video and all the others, too!
Thank you for sharing this. Unfortunately, my plate was SO warped that the boiling water didn't work! I decided to put it in my toster oven. Since boiling water is 212 degrees, I figured that close to that was worth a try. 225 didn't work, but 250 worked like a charm!
Thank you so much! I was literally just now staring at my plates wondering how to fix the warping! All I could think was "I'll have to go buy more..." . You're awesome and I just love your videos! Thank you to Ken as well!!
Wow, this is really useful! Thank you to both you & Ken for sharing! 😊
I’m so glad you publicized this video again / I bought the double sided plates to try the technique but for the life of me couldn’t remember the instructions or where I’d seen them. Jennifer and her nerdy family to the rescue once again. So excited to use my gemini again!! Thank you!
Die cutting plates and machines are the biggest conundrum of my crafting journey. Thank you so much for tackling the science of these problems!
Thanks for this update. Since switching to a self healing mat, only the mat has warped, not the cutting plates. I have tried 3 different brands of self healing. They do straighten using a heat tool. I usually want until all three are badly warped before getting the heat tool out. Just ordered the Gemini jr. double sided cutting plates. (Plus a few items from my wish list. You can’t just order one thing, right!?!)
I have been using the double sided plates for more than a year. I have almost no warping at all with any of my plates. Win
Hi. That's great. Which machine do you have please?
Thank you so much, Jennifer! This has been an unpleasant issue for so long. I am really happy to straighten out my old plates with water :-)
Glad it was helpful!
I had 2 very badly warped clear plates and a warped shim. I tried your system but gave them much less time, I could actually see them levelling out, but it still worked 😊 thank you for the idea.
Thank you so, so much. Best 'warped' advice ever! Have just flattened five Gemini plates, that had been put to the back of a drawer, awaiting resurrection, and only to be used in dire emergencies. Thanks again.
My big shot is only 5 days old and it’s my first buy, and my plates were already getting warped, because i had been experimenting a lot and trying my dies. It gave me so much anxiety to see the plates like that just a few days after investing so much money in it. But this tip is really a life saver. It worked like a charm. My plates are absolutely straight now and I am going to follow the rest of the tips too. Thank you so much Jennifer.
Thanks for the wonderful tips, I’ll definitely try these.
I bought the double sided plates by mistake and when I realized it,
it was to late to return them.
I don’t own any double sided dies.
They’ve been taking up space in my craft room for about a year, now they’ll come in handy.
I tried this tonight and can’t thank you enough. It worked great!!! My plates look almost new!!!!!!
Trying this out today. Glad I hoarded my warped plates. I never tried putting them in the oven because I was leery of the chemicals so this is an awesome alternative 😊
Thank you so much, I just today threw atleast 6 plates in the trash that were warped, needless to say I took them out of the trash can to try this procedure!,, Thank you so much!!!!!!
This video has came at the perfect time!! I am literally in the process of returning my gemini because of this issue. Had my plates for only a month and it bent to the point where it won't go in the machine.
Wow! That’s strange
Same and the cutting plate has cracked across the middle. 😔
@@irenedavo3768 I have had the same issue. Stopped using it. Now I will try again.
When my large plate split I cut it in half, filed the rough edge and now have 2 smaller plates for when I'm using small dies. Saves throwing the plates away and I only use my large plate for large dies
Just this afternoon I threw out a couple of warped plates and ordered more. Came into craft room and found your post. Dug the plates out of the trash and started this video. Couldn't wait stopped video ran into kitchen and put a pot of water on to boil. Came back and watched the rest of this wonderful informative video. I also had tried the hot water method but it didn't work for me but placing the hot and heavy pot on the plate makes great sense. I can't wait to see the results. Time is up I am going to go and check. Thank you so much.
If i ever get to a sink without dirty dishes in it I will have to give this a try lol
Lol you’re so funny and so my kinda crafter😁🤗
🤣🙌🏻🤩🙌🏻🤣
Jennifer in February I bought a Platinum 6 machine and within a month my plates were warped and I was beside myself on what to do. I of course ordered new plates, but they took time to arrive. So I put the old plates in the dishwasher without much success. They were cleaner, then I decided to rotate them with every cut. This was easy because Spellbinders has printing on one end of each plate. When I finished die cutting I would insert the Label end in differently each time I die cut. This helped to straighten out my plates and LOL I am still using the old plates and they work beautifully. I will try straightening out my Gemini plates with your method and I ordered the double sided plates. Thank you so much for all this information, you are the best.
Thank you so much for this tip. I tried it yesterday on a couple of plates that were badly warped. They are not perfect but are a ton better than before. Thank you too for the explanation of how it works and the dangers of heating the plates in the oven. As usual you did not disappoint in any way.
Thank you very much for this most informative information. Also thank your husband for his explanation.
thank you for the tips - I also keep one of my cutting plates as a "do not cut plate" . Since I don't cut into it, it doesn't seem to warp and therefore I always have a flat surface to run through my machine. I have also purchased the self healing cut mats and have great success with those
rewatching. as my plates are desperate. best video ever!!
Thank you for your time, effort and interest in keeping us crafters up to date on what will work best, but still giving us options. "You ROCK!"
Thank you Jennifer and "resident nerd" hubby. I'm going to try this on my warped plates. I'm subscribing as you and your husband saved me from spending money as I'm on a fixed income. Be well and stay safe.
Love your tips as I love love my Gemini. Thank you and thank your hubby for his explanations as well.
a Thank you Jennifer. Also, thank your husband.. He brought several smiles to my face and I even teared up. Your husband sounds so much like my dad, both in voice and what he said. My dad was a shipping engineer for PPG many years ago. It was a pleasure listening to Ken.
Will have to try this boiling water technique. Your husband's intake was helpful and interesting. Make sure to thank him for me.
Spent all Tuesday morning unwarping my plates! You and the husband are geniuses! It works!
Wonderful thanks for sharing. I also flip my plates and move the dies around and don’t have much warping. Loved the idea of not putting the background dies in straight I’m gonna do that from now on.
Thank you so much for explaining how to make plates straight again.
Thanks so much for the tip and all the time you spent doing the research. I actually got rid of my Gemini Jr. because the warping was such an issue. I can't wait to try this out.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I literally just went to the trash and retrieved the plate I finally had to give up on because it was starting to bend my dies. This method WORKED! It's been revived!
awesome! Thanks Jennifer and hubby!! I tried the oven thing last year on a couple warped plates and your hubby is right .... plasticides!!!! i didnt notice any foul odors, but I never used the oven method again cause it really made those plates brittle and one cracked in half while I ran it through my Vagabond! the other kept crackin, and was never the same again.... gonna try this boil method tomorrow!! thanks so much for this awesome vid, Jennifer !!!!!!!
I use the advertising cards that come in the mail. Many have a coating that adds just that little bit of thickness for a good cut. The thin kitchen cutting mats from the dollar store work well too.
Thank you so very much for all these tips!! I can’t wait to try them all. Please tell your hubby Thank you for his professional nerdy explanation. That was VERY HELPFUL!!! I just ordered the larger double sided plates for my Gemini. Enjoy your time at the lake!!!!
Hi Judy how are you getting on with the double sided plates please? Thank you
Loved Ken's explanation. I have just enough science background to follow what he was saying, and he has just enough crafter background to use clear language. Another great and timely video, Jennifer!
Jennifer, thank you so much for these low tech, practical solutions! My craft budget can always use a break😉❤
You are so welcome!
Thanks Jennifer for your months of checking out machines for us and of course your tips. I have all of the Manuel die cutting machines but bc I now have arthritis and it hurts my hands to keep manually rotating those handles I'm buying a electric machine in at the end of this month (Jan 2022) I' ve been leaning towards a Gemini but now I don't know if it should be Anna Griffin's or a Gemini. If there are ladies out there that can give me their opinion if they have either or both I'd appreciate the feedback as this is the LAST one I want to buy.
Jennifer, I had to laugh when you introduced your husband as a nerd because I am extremely proud of my physicist/scientist nerd husband and all our nerdy friends. If I don't have an answer one of them will! lol They come in extremely handy. 😁 Please thank your husband because I understood exactly what he was explaining. Thank you too for all the things you share with all of us in the card crafting world. I know I started watching you yrs ago. Take care!
I don't know which one to recommend but there is also a new electric one by Sizzix out that is called the Sizzix Switch. You might want to look into that one as well.
I have always done everything you’ve mentioned here using my Gemini full sized machine. It all works well. The only warping I get is in the plastic shim, which I think, over time is inevitable. Thanks for sharing this with those who weren’t aware. I found Ken’s explanation very interesting, I do like to know the reasoning behind things. Nerd 🤣
Hello
“I do like to know the reasoning behind things”!!! I was always one of those kids who went searching for the “Why”. Can’t remember actually ASKING that question, but maybe by the time I could’ve recalled those events, I probably had been told “Just Because!” often enough to have caused me to go looking for my own answers. My fella says I’ve not changed a lick!!
Thanks for your method of taking the warp out of cutting plates and I will get the new plates you mentioned. Super informative video.
Great video on preserving and fixing our cutting plates Jennifer! One little tip I'd like to add if I may, which helps make it easy to know when it's time to 'flip' your cutting plate and use the other side, to reduce warping. This is when the centre feels like it's springing up if you put pressure with your finger in the centre of the plate, that's the time to flip it, and cut into the convex side. Essentially, if you rotate your plates regularly, and always cut into the slight convex side (as you know, if you cut a bunch on the same side this happens), this will even the plate back out again. I have Sizzix Big Shot plates and this works really well to extend the life on these. I'm so totally going to try your boiling water and pressure treatment on my very warped eBosser plates though. I bought that machine before leaving the UK and learning the 'rotate regularly' trick! So those plates will benefit from your clever repair trick, thank you so much! Thanks to your hubby too for his fabulous explanation.
Thank you both so much! What a fantastic tip!! 😍
This trick works like a charm. I saved 6 plates. Thank you soooo much for the tip.
I can see how the boiling water and pressure would do the trick. Thank you for all the work you did finding a solution.
Thank you for all of the ways to keep from warping. And please thank your hubby for doing the techie part. Thanks again to you both.
Thank you. It is always fun hearing the “geeky” explanation. My Husband is a nerd too and has a chemistry/physics background. There is a lot of pressure being applied to the plates. Us crazy hard core creators make these machines work hard for us. My biggest problem is dark cardstock getting embedded in the cut lines, which I just scrub out….need to try the hot steamy water. =) I don’t think the plates were made to last forever as some think. At the end of the day these are cheap machines for what some of us put them through. I just expect to have to replace plates every so often.
I just saw this video this week. I tried the boiling water method and girl, let me tell you, it worked! I had to do it twice, but that's ok. I did sit it outside on a paver and had to place added weight on top of the pan lid. I left it outside for about 45 mins-1hr (only because I forgot it was outside). When I took the pan off (the second time), the cutting plate was as straight as the day I bought it. I'm so jazzed about this method. Thank you!!!
That explanation is so cool!! There is a church in St Ive’s, England with our family seal and special stained glass window! It is fascinating to know that glass always moves. Thanks so much to both of you!! What a team!! 😄🙌🏻
Wow! Sounds lovely
From one nerd family to another, thank you. This was great and the explanation was clear and very interesting. Your husband and my husband would have great conversations, LOL. By the way, Jennifer, you are the best crafting teacher on the RUclips. I have learned so much from you.
Hi Jennifer, my Gemini Jr plates came out so good, it almost looked like new (WOW), my Gemini needed a little more weight in the water so I added a brick and that helped and it came out very straight. That has to be the best tip out there, you saved me from buying new plates and I am very happy about that. Thank you so much. Blessing!
The brick was a great idea, WinnStarr 2018!!!
Oh my gosh! My cutting plates were so warped I had already added a new set to my next order. I had seen the video for the oven method, and thought what the heck I’ll give it a try as I will have a new set coming if it didn’t work. Then, I saw your video and tried it instead. It worked! Total game changer!! I have removed the cutting plates from my order as my old ones are like new! I am going to wait a couple of days before using them just to give them more time to set. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much, you paper engineering and crafting goddess! I just love how your mind works, and thanks also to your husband for his engineering presence and expertise. I am off to go try the hot pans with my Spellbinder plates. Hope you had some lake fun after all this work!
You are so welcome!
How nice that you have your own nerd!! They're like gold... I have nerd grandkids and I wouldn't make it without them
I’ve been waiting for this! Thanks to you and Ken for doing this. I tried the oven method previously which only made my plate brittle.
Our pleasure!
Thank you, Jennifer. Appreciate all your help. Peace, love and light. 🙏☮️🦋
This was such a simple to do fix and I appreciate you sharing it (smoothing out warped plates), Jennifer - plus the sciency explanation. The cathedral fact was SO interesting! Currently have a Sizzix plate in hot water with a saucepan sitting on it. I have just moved house so ditched the really old, warped plates, so was excited to find a warped one, lol.
Glad it was helpful!
I tried the oven but it didn't work so I am there's another method.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have a mini die cut machine that I can't buy replacement cutting plates for and this technique worked so well to fix my cutting plates.
Thank you so much Jennifer (and nerdy husband). Love the explanation. Definitely giving the fix a try with my warped Gemini plates.
You are so welcome!
Thanks for the tip. I saved 6 plates. Works like a charm.