Roses - Flexible Texture

I really didn't like this rose printed texture panel. I don't know if it was designed this way, but it has a lot of like tiny air bubbles /pockets in it which gets full of clay. It's hard to clean out. I tried needles, brushes but still there. If I press another layer of clay those pieces coming out and ruining my project. And it's going on and on. Is there anything could be done to fix it? They are pretty expensive for low quality product. I bought geometric one also which I'm afraid to use for the same thing could happen. So disappointing

This made a great mokune gane impression the first time.

Quality made product. Product as described