My sister cut hers with a utility knife. Try not to use a quilting ruler as you might nick it. I would suggest any other kind of straight edge. Don't try to cut all the way through with the first cut. Make as many passes as necessary to cut all the way through, like you do with floor tiles. She had to cut her 36" mat off because her husband put a hot pan on one end ( when she wasn't looking) and burned it.