Generally I’m a purist when it comes to my LEGO projects. Specifically, I don’t usually modify LEGO elements in any way, including bending, cutting, painting or otherwise destroying them. However, I have made one exception to this rule, which is that I sometimes cut LEGO base plates when I use them as mosaic backing.

Shown below is my Packer Logo Mosaic in both its original rectangular form, and newly modified form with cut base plate.

I very happy with the cut base plate result, and prefer it to the original design. This change also has an added bonus - it frees up the white border bricks for other projects.

Read on for more information on the techniques I use to cut base plates including additional pictures…

Shown above is the tool I used to cut the Packer Logo base plate, a utility knife. This knife model has an excellent handle design which makes it easy to apply enough pressure to cut through the base plate material. I cut with the yellow bricks in place to use as a guide.

Shown above is one of the cut away pieces.

Another tool I have used which also works well is a good scissors. Shown below is my Starbucks Coffee Mosaic with bricks removed to expose the cut base plates. For this mosaic I used a scissors.

I also used a scissors to cut Extra Large base plates into quarters for my Cub Scout LEGO Mosaic activity.

Obviously the major downside to cutting LEGO base plates is that they are no longer useful to reuse for other projects. However, since I usually keep my projects intact after I complete them, I don’t see this as a big issue.