Probably one of the most discussed topics on this forum. To me it all boils down to personal preference. Search "glue" or "tape" here and there should be hundreds of posts. Personally I do it both ways, and it depends on what I am cutting. Very fragile pictures I use painters tape because I feel it helps hold things together. Less fragile I do not use the tape. I never use the clear tape over the pattern anymore, that did not work for me.