I was so excited to have a diamond impression mat and so discouraged the first time i used it! Is there a trick? I use a crusting buttercream, well a lightly crusting buttercream - I'm able to Viva it with no problem. After I smoothed it w/ Viva, I went to use my new mat and it either didn't leave enough of an impression or the icing stuck to it in places. I had to go over the lines with a bench scraper to get clean lines. Surprisingly, on a 14" round, the diamonds matched up. Do you have to prepare the mat in some way or is it my BC?
I have the matt and I had the same problem. I went and bought a pair of knee high hose (unused and clean of course 
) filled it with powdered sugar and heavily dusted the matts, you could probably use cornstarch too. I reapplied each time I lifted the matt to move it over. There were a few spots that didn't imprint as deeply as I would have liked so I fixed those areas with a butter knife. Good luck
I wonder if humidity could cause it to stick. I believe it was very humid the day I used mine.
I was wandering what Viva is? I am new to boards and learning cake ling! Also, where was you able to find your impression mat? I think it makes such a pretty design. thanks and good luck..
Viva is a paper towel which is thick and has no texture/pattern. After smoothing your frosting with a spatula, allow it to crust/dry slightly. Then lay the Viva on the surface of the frosting and smooth across the surface of the flat Viva with slight pressure using flattened fingers, similarly to smoothing wrinkles out of a tablecloth. Move the Viva to a new area and smooth with each move. I use a circular motion. It makes a lovely surface, almost like bisque porcelain. You might need to go over the same area a few times if you have a bad spot. Be careful though, if you try to do this on frosting not yet crusted, the Viva will stick. And if you use too much pressure, it will make impressions in the frosting. It takes a little practice but you will love the results! 
Thanks - I'll have to try those ideas. I nearly threw the darn thing out the window!!
BTW - why no soap?
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%