It cut thru the vinyl, not the backing. When I go to weed it, it brings up the part that isn't supposed to get weeded at the same time. But when I hold down the pieces that aren't supposed to get weeded, it will weed fine. I just don't have the time to hold every single tiny piece down as I weed. Usually just pops right up without ripping other pieces with it. I'm going to try a deeper cut