Custom Mouse Pads - Why They're Not Good To Play

For all those enthusiasts of customizable accessories you should know that this is not always the best option when buying. Personalized mouse pads are that classic accessory in which nothing bad seems to be with the naked eye but that the experienced user can be skeptical about buying. Do you want to know why? Keep reading.

Index of contents

Dimensions of custom mats

The first drawback to custom floor mats is usually size. As a general rule, the customizable desktop models have quite limited formats, with dimensions that are around 20 x 23 or usually 40 x 22 cm. This means that all those users who prefer XL or XXL formats to also cover the keyboard or their entire desks and not only a limited surface to the mouse will generally have more difficulties in finding a model that suits their needs.

Examples of SteelSeries mat sizes

The proportions, on the other hand, have the same type of variety as in any other mat model. Circular, square or landscape usually offer the same measurements as standard models from manufacturers such as SteelSeries or Asus.

Finishes on custom floor mats

In this section there are two important aspects to differentiate between. On the one hand we have the quality of the material of the mat itself. Custom models can be both in fabric and rigid plastic, these two being the most common compared to the use of glass.

• In the case of cloth mats, it is interesting to observe if the edges of the cloth are twisted with thread, which is the factor that prevents the cloth cover from separating from the rubber base with which they are usually made.

Personalized Rugs with Photos and Text | Maximum Print Quality | Non-Slip and Flexible Rubber Base | Thickness 3 mm | 22 x 18 cm Soft-touch mat protects the desk and makes the mouse easier to use. 12, 45 EUR Getsingular Personalized Rugs with Photos and Text | Maximum Print Quality | Non-slip Rubber Base | 39 x 22 cm Material: Non-slip rubber base / Cloth upper; Mat size: 39 x 22 cm | Thickness: 0.3 cm EUR 18.45

• For rigid or semi-rigid formats in plastic, we should be concerned above all with the quality of the superior plastic and check that the stamping is made on the transparent internal face so that it does not fade with use. If you are abroad, it is advisable to read the opinions of other clients with whom to compare information on their durability.

Esselte Customizable mouse pad, 19 x 24 cm, Transparent, 67691 Easy to clean with a damp cloth 8.67 EUR Promo shop Mouse pad Personalized with Calendar or photo. Ideal for Giving or Advertising your Company. Dimensions: 19 x 23 cm; Non-slip surface; Full Color printing and 100% usable space 6.90 EUR

On the reproduction of the images the technique can vary between one manufacturer or another. Generally, these are CMYK color prints stamped on the fabric by sublimation, although we can also find custom mats that have a side slot in which we can insert the sheet that we like best. The latter is somewhat more common on rigid or semi-rigid mats.

The creation process

When we decide to order a custom mat, the first thing we must do is observe the material used by the manufacturer and the available formats. If both things are what we are looking for, it is time to manage the image we want to print. Depending on the company, we will be asked to send a photograph or illustration with specific measurements or resolution. For this it is recommended that we keep in mind some basic notions when saving the file:

• PDF is the ideal format and the one with the least loss of image quality in digital format. Generally, they will also accept JPEG but it is not our first recommendation. When printing, the ideal is that our file has a resolution of 300 pixels per inch since it is the printing standard and thus we will avoid pixelated effects. If a specific format is necessary Ideally, we should crop the image ourselves in order to have just the desired frame. If we leave it to the manufacturer, he can choose his own criteria for it. The file that we save must be in CMYK and not RGB since the latter is the virtual color format and can deceive us regarding the saturation and final tones. Also, it is the type of file that will be used in the printing press.

If we take all of the above into account, we should not find any type of problem with our mat once we receive it.

Conclusions about custom floor mats

In general, our recommendation is that before launching to order a custom mat model, first take a look at those that are available. Video games, series and movies generate a large amount of official merchandise or not that usually meets the needs of fans. The thing changes if what we want to stamp is a photograph or illustration of our own, in which case this process is the only alternative.

The main drawback of this market is that the quality of the materials tends to be neglected since the public buys more the image than the mat itself. This is the reason why many users buy models in which it is not so much the design that makes the model more expensive but the material itself.

We recommend you read the best rugs

Braided edges on fabric models and protective top lining for plastic models are the keys you should look for when buying a custom model. In general we hope that this mini guide with practical advice has been useful to you. How do you see it? Is it worth betting on a custom mat? Leave us your opinion in the comments.