the mats are definitely not as thick as i assumed. i read somewhere about buying those cheap (dollar store) kitchen cutting mats (they come in multi-packs, one for meat, poultry, veg) to use instead and i get it now after handling silhouette's version. not sure how they'd ship a new one without damaging it. really can't see them shipping it in a tube, either. i rolled my bent one back and placed it under books as well. hopefully it will help.<br /><br />and KellyS, that's exactly what i spent as well!