Are OLFA Cutting Mats Worth The Price? (Checked)

Made in Japan, OLFA cutting mats are considered one of the more popular brands.

They are durable, long-lasting, and are made of great quality.

Meant to last you for years, these mats are a perfect way to complete both large and small projects. They’re sturdy, they lay flat, and they’re great for cutting many different fabrics and materials over the years. 

How Much Do OLFA Mats Cost Online?

The price varies between the size of the mat and the materials you’re looking for.

However, you can generally find cutting mats for high-quality, large table mats between $40-$60.

Here are a few OLFA mat options to choose from:

OLFA 24″ x 36″ Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat:

The OLFA double-sided self-healing Rotary mat is about 1.5 millimeters thick and is solid green on one side for general cutting.  

This cutting mat is priced at about $50. 

You can also flip it over to the grid side for more precise cutting. Not only is it self-healing, but it can also withstand a lot of cutting.  

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It is highly recommended that you do not iron on this mat, and you make sure to store it out of sunlight. Sunlight and a lot of heat can warp them out or change their color.  

Sunlight can also dull the gridlines and make them hard to read.  

Make sure that you’re only using Rotary blades on this mat. Most knives can damage this mat, but Rotary blades are perfect for it. 

OLFA Blue RM-MG NBL Cutting Mat, 24×36:

The OLFA blue cutting mat is 24×36 inches in size and is perfect for bigger, desk-sized projects.

The blue color is striking, although it can sometimes look quite dark when using gridlines. This blue mat branches away from the green color that most OLFA mats come in. 

This cutting mat is priced at about $50.

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It is recommended that you do not iron on this mat. Please only use Rotary blades with this mat as well.

It is self-healing and is great for multiple projects.

Not only is it very sturdy, but it lays flat and heavy, so you don’t have to press it down or worry about it bending. 

OLFA Aqua 12″ x 18″ Double-Sided Rotary Mat, 12×18:

This beautiful teal-colored mat is a great addition to your crafting station.  

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this is a great one to start with. It’s not as large as the others, only coming in at 12″ x18″.  

It can also protect the edges of your Rotary blades because it is not a rough material to work with. It is both self-healing and can re-seal cuts. 

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Make sure to only use Rotary blades and keep them out of direct sunlight.

This cutting mat is priced on Amazon at about $20. 

This is one of its more fun colors and a lot of customers really like how bright and happy it looks.

You don’t want to ruin it with direct sunlight. 

OLFA Rotary Cutting Mat, Pink:

Also 1.5 millimeters thick, this double-sided mat is perfect for brightening up your workstation.  

Using a triple-layer heat welding process, this rotary mat has an increased shelf life. Its bright pink color is very fun and great for kids or beginner sewers.

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Meant to last you for years, OLFA mats are said by customers to be able to take hundreds of cuts before wearing out. 

This cutting met is priced on Amazon at also about $20. 

Because it is sized at 36.13×12.7, it is great for medium-sized projects. 

OLFA 1119734 Folding Mat, 17″ x 24″

This exciting folding mat is very versatile and great for on-the-go projects.

The list price for this mat is about $80, but you can get it on Amazon for about $33. 

Not only can you fold it and take it with you anywhere., but the fold line is easy to hide and work around.

It’s a little bit thicker, as it is sized at 17 “x24” large and 2.5mm thick. Customers rave that the fold does disappear when it is all the way open, and the gridlines are sharp.

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Storing it away makes it great for small spaces and offices.

Try not to use an iron with your mat, or it might warp the material. You also want to keep it out of direct sunlight.

Make sure to use a Rotary cutter and stay away from very sharp knives. 

Are OLFA Cutting Mats Expensive?

OLFA cutting mats are good quality, which means they can get pricey.

The larger the cutting mat size, the more expensive it can be.

Smaller, napkin-sized cutting mats can be as cheap as $5. Table-sized cutting mats can be as expensive as $80 or more.

Amazon usually has sales on these mats, so you tend to get them for about $20 to $50, depending. 

How Good is the Quality of OLFA Cutting Mats?

OLFA Cutting mats are considered to be of high quality.

They are triple-layer heat welded and are considered self-healing.

They are always two-sided: one side with a grid and one that is solid. The grid is for cutting with measurements, and the other is for cutting in general.

They can absorb cuts from art, knives, Rotary cutters, and fixed blades. You can also cut multiple layers of fabric at a time, and the mats tend to come in many sizes.

You can get small napkin-sized mats for tiny projects, or you can have giant mats that cover your entire table.

How Much Cutting can OLFA Cutting Mats Handle?

OLFA mats can handle a lot of cutting.

Many crafters will tell you that a cutting mat can only take 40 to 50 cuts before it starts to wear out. However, because OFLA mats have self-healing properties, they can withstand a lot more abuse and many more projects.

Most high-quality cutting mats can handle hundreds of cuts before they need to be replaced.

How Many Sizes do OLFA Cutting Mats Come in?

OLFA mats come in many different sizes, styles, and colors. You can even get ones that fold! 

Their foldable mat comes in 17″ x 24″ size, and there are mats that come in blue, pink, green, and teal.

You can get large mats as big as 24″ x 36″, or small ones as big as 6″ x 8″.

Depending on the project that you’re working on, you’ll most likely find a cutting mat that works for you. 

What Does “Self-Healing” Mean for Cutting Mats?

OLFA mats are considered to be self-healing.

Self-healing means that the material can “re-seal” surface cuts for a smooth cutting experience every time. Not only is this a really interesting feature, but it can also increase the lifespan of your cutting mat. 

The way that the material self-heals is due to how it is made. Instead of cutting into a flat surface, you’re cutting between very small pieces.

Those pieces separate rather than get sliced into, giving it the impression that it is self-healing. 

How Long do OLFA Cutting Mats Last?

No matter what brand of cutting mat you use, they will eventually wear out.

Many cutting mats can withstand hundreds if not thousands of cuts before they need to be replaced.

OLFA cutting mats can last at least four years or more with proper care and maintenance. This is also contingent on the fact that you don’t use it every day.

Extending the life of your cutting mat is simply about being careful to flip the sides over and over again rather than cut only on one side. You can generally have a mat for many years if you are a hobby sewer or quilter. 

Some crafters will say that their cutting mats have lasted them 25+ years! Others will say you can only get about 40-50 uses out of them before wear and tear start to take effect.

Using your cutting mat sparingly will extend its lifespan for a very long time. However, if you use it daily, you are more likely to replace it within three to four years.