I get asked a lot about which is the best glass mat for card making. There are several glassboards/glassmats out there, and I have tried more than a few. Today I am doing a Glassboard Studio Review for you! In my opinion, it's the best out there!
I was introduced to the products and the company when I met Shannon in April. I have used and used my first Glassboard Studio Magnetic Glass Craft Mat. I started with 1 and now I have 3 – so that says a LOT about how much I love them, right?
I've spent a lot of time using this magnetic glass craft mat before ever making a review video of it, because I don't like product reviews where the person doing the review has used it for 5 seconds and is giving you the skinny on it.
Instead, I wanted to really work with it, try different things, do different types of crafts on it – and THEN give you my honest review.
I've seen some pretty expensive glass mats out there and I just don't get it. If you want a basic piece of glass, even with a ruler on it, they are fairly inexpensive. I have quite a few of them, but this glass mat is quite different. What I first noticed about it was the thickness, it's a heavy-duty glass mat.
But let's chat about the other things I noticed with it:
First, it has a magnetic surface. And I LOVE that! Why pay a lot for a piece of plain glass? Get a magnetic glass mat!
Second, it's so easy to use. In the video, I give several papercrafting examples on how I use mine – like how I am thrilled to never have to use a foam mat under my stamps again, I can just use this.
Third, it's so easy to clean! Either just water or rubbing alcohol depending on what medium you have on your mat.
Fourth, I love that I get to share a discount code with you! When you use my affiliate link, it saves you 15% off your ENTIRE order! Use this link here to order and save: https://www.glassboardstudio.com/MEG
Fifth, they have the magnetic glass craft mats but they also have all kinds of fun, strong magnets – ones that are easy to pick up. (If you have worked with other magnets before in crafting, you know what I am referring to, lol!) These have handles to pick them up! They aren't crazy strong and I wondered why. I used a crazy strong magnet with it and figured out why… since the entire mat is a strong magnet, if you use a strong magnet on top, it's stuck there for life. They can shift a little more than I like, but after pinching my finger with that stronger magnet and facing my fear of scratching my glass mat when sliding that other magnet off, I'm good with it. I just needed time to get used to it.
Sixth, the heat resistance surface is perfect for techniques like heat embossing or for drying inks/paints. I use it with my heat tool all the time. I have also used it with my hot glue guns. No need for silicone mats!
Seventh, the rulers are under the glass. You don't have to worry about the rulers rubbing off. It has center grid lines for card makers so you have easy alignment. I love that the straight line of each measurement extends past the edge of the grid, it helps me line things up better.
Eighth, you can ink blend right on it. Take your ink pad and press it down on the surface, use a blending brush to pick up your ink and you are good to go. It's a great work surface!
Want to see what I am talking about? Check this out….
Ready to get yours? Remember, to save on your entire purchase, use this link here, no discount codes needed: https://www.glassboardstudio.com/MEG
“I saw Meg using a glass mat in a Stamping Family video and I had to know what it was. She shared her link and I ordered one. It is way better than a higher priced one I got a little over a year ago and that other one wasn't even magnetic! She asked me for my feedback so she could share it, I say GO FOR IT! For me, it's the perfect mat.” Jean K.
If you know me the way that Stamping Family members know me, you know that I give my opinion, both good and bad.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Can use with all kinds of crafts
- Comes in different sizes/colors so you can match your personal style
- Replaces the foam mat when stamping because the bottom of the mat has rubber feet on the corners
- Replaces scratch paper/grid paper from my counter completely!
- Reasonably priced
- You can use my code over and over to save on each purchase, it's not a one time code, making it a great buy
- It's a non-stick mat
- It's heat resistant
Con:
- I wish the magnets were a smidge stronger. As I said above, I get why, but my honest opinion on it.
Would I buy it again?
- I started with one beautiful mat and already bought two more and have another on my Christmas list! I have two smaller ones and one large one. I want a second larger size. I have two crafting spaces, so I want a large and a small in each craft room.
What I wouldn't do with it:
It is a super smooth surface on top, and it's glass. I don't mean to sound cheeky when I say this, but glass will scratch. I have a smaller glass mat that I used to use with my circle cutter back in the day. So I wouldn't use an XACTO knife or a blade of any kind. I would use my already scratched up piece of glass for that.
For me, it's the perfect glass surface and has rapidly become one of my most essential tools.
Have questions?
Let me know in the comments below. If I don't know the answer, I will ask and find out. They have been super responsive to questions and after using the product for several months, I can honestly give this one two thumbs up! This crafting surface has been a total game changer for me.
Like this review on what I think is the best glass mat for card making and want to see other products reviewed? Let me know about those in the comments below – bonus points if you have a contact with the company you can share. XOXO, Meg
