[IC] Hobby mat themed desk pad (with accurate measurements)

[Fantaku]

Wanted to share an idea I put together for fun. Maybe there could be enough interest out there to warrant doing a small group buy. The Desk mat design is based off of the standard size sold by NK, measuring 400mm x 900mm. I made 3 versions of the design in white on green, blue, and black. I took into consideration adding yellow lines as a variant to the white, but I didn't want to give too many options and muddy the decision making, however I am not completely ruling it out. The measurements in the design are accurate, and could be actually used to measure on your desk. there ae markings for inches and centimeters. Let me know if you are interested or have any suggestions!   

[paulgali]

This looks like my cutting mat from my arts 'n' craft classes back in the day

[OtherAndrew]

just buy an actual cutting mat tbh

[Fantaku]

The point is that an actual plastic cutting mat that size doesn't exist, and would be potentially expensive in vomparison. The desk pad would provide dampening and potentially a more isolated solid sounding typing surface from the foam layer whereas the plastic mat wouldn't pad or provide a soft surface.

[mcmaxmcmc]

mmmmm, neat

I like it

[futurecrime]

Actually really cool idea.

[Anthixious]

I'd love the white-on-green mat because I just got SA Sail Extras a few days ago 

[SleepyJacky]

Very much on board for one in black

[Kajoler]

I'll take one in black thanks very much

[Zeelobby]

I'm actually 100% down for this.

[shortdog6]

Fantastic idea, I'm in for the grey one

[trazayuya]

gimmie a black one

[zwartho]

Been using a hobby mat as my desk pad for a couple years now. I would definitely be interested in this.

[Livid]

gimmie a black one

this! black would be great

[davisthegreat]

this would be cool on my shop desk I like.

[totalemon]

very cool idea but I'd be too tempted to cut on this

[BrickParade]

i like this idea a lot, i'm in for a green one!

[Mad_Rhetoric]

I created an account just for this. I've been looking for a daily driver that suits my profession. I love this.

Count me in for either the green or black, I haven't decided!

[youngki.bear]

I'd be in for the green one. Great idea!

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[fabijolo]

I absolutely love the idea, especially if you are actually going to be able to have the measurements be accurate

[Kokaloo]

This is such a swell idea. I'm so familiar with hobby mats that I might as well have an ode to them as my deskmat lol

[piit79]

Looks cool! I'd be down for one

Hope this makes it to the GB. I've recently opened a small MK online shop based in the EU, let me know if you'd be interested in a EU proxy. (Assuming you're in the US.)

[ray160]

No logos or bar code would be nice

[Fantaku]

But that wouldn't have the authentic Cutting mat design then, I felt that detail is what really sold it

[yui]

No logos or bar code would be nice

i do agree that the barcode is a bit meh to me, i do not care about the "logo" though and find the "non healing typing pad" line kinda funny
depending on the price ans shipping i may be interested in one

[littlekosh]

Love the design.

I’m also iffy on the barcode. I don’t think it would prevent me from buying it but I think it might look nicer without.

The non-healing part is hilarious and should definitely be kept though.

[pixelpusher]

Will it be to scale?   Like, can we get a real 1 inch print = 1 inch IRL?  If so, I’d be down.

[Livid]

Will it be to scale?   Like, can we get a real 1 inch print = 1 inch IRL?  If so, I’d be down.

yeah it says with accurate measurements!

[Fantaku]

I'd like to try my best to make the measurements accurate. I'm asking around for manufacturers at the moment trying to see who can get the job done in the quality I need, and so far it seems it may be a bit difficult to get the measurements exactly spot on, but I feel like there has to be someone who can make it happen. I will try to keep looking, but I've been told that there is anywhere between a 1-3cm shrink in the print that is totally uncontrollable and varies from batch to batch (but that was just one manufacturer) I feel like there has to be a way to account for any potential shrinkage and dial that in, but maybe I just haven't found the folks knowledgeable enough and willing to do the quality work, or maybe I just have no idea what I'm doing 

[pixelpusher]

I'd like to try my best to make the measurements accurate. I'm asking around for manufacturers at the moment trying to see who can get the job done in the quality I need, and so far it seems it may be a bit difficult to get the measurements exactly spot on, but I feel like there has to be someone who can make it happen. I will try to keep looking, but I've been told that there is anywhere between a 1-3cm shrink in the print that is totally uncontrollable and varies from batch to batch (but that was just one manufacturer) I feel like there has to be a way to account for any potential shrinkage and dial that in, but maybe I just haven't found the folks knowledgeable enough and willing to do the quality work, or maybe I just have no idea what I'm doing 

ooh, hadn't thought about shrinkage.  Yes, it might not be possible to get it scientifically accurate.  1-3cm is a fairly large tolerance.  Boo.  It's still a cool design. 

[yui]

I'd like to try my best to make the measurements accurate. I'm asking around for manufacturers at the moment trying to see who can get the job done in the quality I need, and so far it seems it may be a bit difficult to get the measurements exactly spot on, but I feel like there has to be someone who can make it happen. I will try to keep looking, but I've been told that there is anywhere between a 1-3cm shrink in the print that is totally uncontrollable and varies from batch to batch (but that was just one manufacturer) I feel like there has to be a way to account for any potential shrinkage and dial that in, but maybe I just haven't found the folks knowledgeable enough and willing to do the quality work, or maybe I just have no idea what I'm doing 

would you use a mat as a scientific measuring tool though? that is about a 3.4% distortion (max shrinkage), feels plenty good enough for what you would do on a mat, at least that is my view on it, some may want to use them in place of a micrometer but i am unsure of how wise that would be, even if it was 100% perfect.

[futurecrime]

I’d grab a green one.

[alk-e]

Currently using an actually cutting mat because it just looks so damn cool, but would prefer this. 100% will buy. Good thinking.

[Fantaku]

Quick update! I have been talking to some vendors and may have found a potential manufacturer. From the input, it seems like black is the favorite, and a good neutral option that wont clash. I liked the OG green colorway as a nod to the classic hobby mat, but it will have to be shelved for the time being (maybe a future run if all goes well). The vendor I am talking to at the moment said they can reproduce the design accurately. The next step is getting a sample, which might take a little while due to Chinese holidays and Covid-19. Once I have a sample in hand, I will update this thread again with photos and further GB info.

[asherw]

This looks really cool-

I'm curious if it's possible to use the same material as a real cutting mat so it could function as both...

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

[Fantaku]

This looks really cool-

I'm curious if it's possible to use the same material as a real cutting mat so it could function as both...

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

I'm sure you could just use a standard cutting mat as some have mentioned above, but that would defeat the purpose that this is intended to have in being a soft foam pad surface for typing on. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[zedbraxmen]

Yes. A multi-function deskmat. I like it.

[Heist Morty]

super down, looks awesome in all colors.

[youngki.bear]

I liked the OG green colorway as a nod to the classic hobby mat, but it will have to be shelved for the time being (maybe a future run if all goes well).

Sad to hear that! Personally, if green isn't an option, I'd prefer blue over black. My PC, monitors, mouse, etc are all black, so I rely on my keebs and deskmat for some color.

[Fantaku]

I liked the OG green colorway as a nod to the classic hobby mat, but it will have to be shelved for the time being (maybe a future run if all goes well).

Sad to hear that! Personally, if green isn't an option, I'd prefer blue over black. My PC, monitors, mouse, etc are all black, so I rely on my keebs and deskmat for some color.

I honestly wish I could make all 3 colors if it were possible, but I really want to just focus on one thing at a time to make sure it is the best quality and smoothest operation I can offer. Also with the popular vote playing a major role in the success of the project, I have to work with what the results are for now. But as said previously, if all goes well, and there is enough support for the first run of desk pads, I'd be more than happy to run another color afterwards if there is enough demand for it!

[xlSantos]

The green one to match my green cutting mat I bought.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HoodrowThrillson]

If I cut a sheet of paper on this, will it cut the deskmat too?

[Fantaku]

If I cut a sheet of paper on this, will it cut the deskmat too?

Yes

[lmricci]

definitely would be interested in the white on green

[asherw]

This looks really cool-

I'm curious if it's possible to use the same material as a real cutting mat so it could function as both...

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

I'm sure you could just use a standard cutting mat as some have mentioned above, but that would defeat the purpose that this is intended to have in being a soft foam pad surface for typing on. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Right, I was thinking like a cutting mat with soft foam under it... Although I guess that probably wouldn't be much different from a typical cutting mat

edit: didn't think the emoji would look like that.. yikes.

[Fantaku]

Just a quick update to keep things active, and remind those who are interested. Still working on trying to talk to vendors about getting samples made, however at the moment I am waiting for a work holiday overseas to be done before that happens.

[Vibex]

Would be down from one of each colours I think.

[nkd_oh]

Count me in for both a green and blue one!

[Rx003]

Pretty neat I might say, glwic 

[Fantaku]

NEW UPDATES! I've recently had some very exciting and promising movement on the project! I can't share too much about it yet, but there may be a potentially very exciting partnership with a known distributor that will greatly help the success of the project  There will be a couple changes that will be made to revise the desk pad's design, including the removal of the spoof barcode and logo in the upper right corner as requested by some. Also, I am very excited to announce that if this collaborative effort works out, I will be able to offer the black and OG green colorway! As I won't be handling this solely on my, It will be likely that it will come in those 2 colors as the top 2 requested colorways  I hope to have samples in at some point soon, and will update further with more info again as soon as I have another progress update to share with everyone!