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I have decided to go with a neoprene or mousepad material gaming mat.
However have not decided on which brand to go with.

1: Is there any Mats out there that do NOT have a Logo in a corner on the mat?

2: Is there any companies in the US or if over seas offering free shipping that do a double sided mat? I know Gamemat.eu does but shipping with them is like 27 bucks, I understand why but figured there may be other options I'm missing.

Something else I need advise on is the table I have. It's basically 33 by 72. To get it to the full 48" is there any smart solution to a topper I can set on it safely without it flipping off when weight is place on one side?

Thanks

 timofeo wrote:
I have decided to go with a neoprene or mousepad material gaming mat.
However have not decided on which brand to go with.

1: Is there any Mats out there that do NOT have a Logo in a corner on the mat?

2: Is there any companies in the US or if over seas offering free shipping that do a double sided mat? I know Gamemat.eu does but shipping with them is like 27 bucks, I understand why but figured there may be other options I'm missing.

Something else I need advise on is the table I have. It's basically 33 by 72. To get it to the full 48" is there any smart solution to a topper I can set on it safely without it flipping off when weight is place on one side?

Thanks

I can't help you on the mats, but the topper? Sure.

All you need is a 4'x8' piece of 1/4" - 1/2" plywood, some sand paper, a saw, & a drill.
1/2"+ ply will be heavy to move though. (wich is why i used 1/4" on mine.)
After that you need 4 posts as cut high as the original table top, a wrench & some 2" bolts for legs.

1) use saw to cut the board down to 6'.
2) use sand paper to smooth off the edges of board/posts - because splinters & snags when moving.
3) Drill bolt holes through each corner of board & into posts.
4) lay board on table
5) bolt on legs
*Might consider two more posts, one in center of each side. But start with the corners.

Remove legs after game for storage.

Normally your local Home Depot/Lowes etc would be able cut the board & posts for you. But depending upon how they're doing things with the various pandemic lockdowns.... Hence the reccommendation of a saw.

here is the list of top game mat makers

i wont include the one you already noted or mats by mars since they only do wet erase style mats not neoprene.

Pworkswargames

https://www.pworkwargames.com/en/13-gaming-mats?page=1

they also make the mats in various custom sizes including 3'X6' that might solve some of your overhang problem

tablewar

https://tablewar.com/

frontline gaming

they also have some weird sizes

https://store.frontlinegaming.org/gaming-mats/

@ ccs
My thought is turning my table into a gaming table so more like a permanent topper. If I were to drill that plywood table to the old tables top for instance it would be a permanent attachment.

@aphyon
Do you know if the any of these companies choose not to stamp their LOGO on the corner. None of the descriptions seem to note the LOGO info.

Thanks

I got my mat via Amazon, many vendors there can get you free shipping. Company who makes mine is Stratagem, and I’ve been pretty happy with it. I’m pretty sure there is no logo on the mat. Big one down the side of the carry case, but I assume that’s OK.

I notice there are a few double sided mats there now, when I bought mine I could not find any domestically. Almost sprung for shipping one from Europe, but as the bulk of my guilt-free hobby budget is is the form of Amazon gift cards, I passed. Plus with the cost and shipping, I could basically buy two separate mats.

 timofeo wrote:
@ ccs
My thought is turning my table into a gaming table so more like a permanent topper. If I were to drill that plywood table to the old tables top for instance it would be a permanent attachment.

Oh, I thought you were aiming for something that could be easily removed & stored between games.
But if you don't mind bolting it to the existing table.... Then use 1/2" or even 1" ply.

I swear by Gamemat.eu. The shipping is worth it.

 timofeo wrote:
@ ccs
My thought is turning my table into a gaming table so more like a permanent topper. If I were to drill that plywood table to the old tables top for instance it would be a permanent attachment.

@aphyon
Do you know if the any of these companies choose not to stamp their LOGO on the corner. None of the descriptions seem to note the LOGO info.

Thanks

the tablewar mats have the company logo on them(i can see it in some of my old batrep pics), and i know the ones made for warmachine have that logo. as for the other two, i can't remember it's been a while now since i have had them on the table.

A quality neoprene gaming mat is worth the money you spend on it. If you pick smartly, you'll get years and years of use out of it. As such, for a single-sided mat, simply plan for $95-100.

Some of the US makers (Tablewar, Frontline, etc. - both of which I find rather underwhelming) are slightly cheaper, maybe $10-15 less overall. Don't be swayed by this small savings. Find the mat you really, truly want and spend the extra couple of bucks.

The top three companies I can recommend are:

1) Urbanmatz: my favourite, solid prices with great art - far better than most other companies I've seen. Comes with a free carrying bag - something which is occasionally charged extra for. Removes VAT automatically for US buyers. Good response to emails.
2) Deepcut Studios: Solid, though they're creeping up in price, and you have to email them to arrange removing VAT, etc. Their variety and art quality is strong. Mine does feature a small logo in the corner, but it's not something I've ever noticed.
3) Gamemat.eu: Super solid. My buddy has several from them, and they're solid. Good art, solid prices. I don't personally own one of these, but I rate them highly.

Anyone have any experience with Warzone Studio? They appear EU based and have double sided offerings. Also can go through Amazon when ordering.

 Elbows wrote:
A quality neoprene gaming mat is worth the money you spend on it. If you pick smartly, you'll get years and years of use out of it. As such, for a single-sided mat, simply plan for $95-10

Not sure if it's a stupid question, but why would someone go for a single-sided mat? The price difference never seems so much that it wouldn't be a better option to have two options to play on.

 harlokin wrote:

 Elbows wrote:
A quality neoprene gaming mat is worth the money you spend on it. If you pick smartly, you'll get years and years of use out of it. As such, for a single-sided mat, simply plan for $95-10

Not sure if it's a stupid question, but why would someone go for a single-sided mat? The price difference never seems so much that it wouldn't be a better option to have two options to play on.

I think there are less reasons than there used to be. Back when I was doing research before buying mine the options were limited and all shipped from Europe.

Cost. Double sided maps do cost more. When I factored in shipping costs, it was almost cheeper to buy 2 domestically. While this is an expensive hobby, we do like to save money when we can.
Pattern combinations. With a doublesided map you are stuck with the combos they offer. And there are a lot of patterns out there. If you don’t like the flip side of a map, why pay for it? Even if you are in the market for multiple battlefields, are they together?
Selections. You might be able to find a nice one that matches how you base your army only on a single sided map.
Brand. Not every company makes double sided ones. If you have a preference or restrictions (like no logo) you might be limited to single sided options. For me the ability to buy from Amazon and use gift cards was huge.
Area. This is probably not relevant for most individuals, but if you buy 2 single sided maps, you can run two tables at the same time.

Just me spitballing some devil’s advocate over my morning coffee. I generally believe that you are better off springing for the extra cash, as it’s not unreasonable these days. Was not always the case, even a year ago.

 harlokin wrote:
Not sure if it's a stupid question, but why would someone go for a single-sided mat?

The one/s you want are only avail single-sided?

 harlokin wrote:

 Elbows wrote:
A quality neoprene gaming mat is worth the money you spend on it. If you pick smartly, you'll get years and years of use out of it. As such, for a single-sided mat, simply plan for $95-10

Not sure if it's a stupid question, but why would someone go for a single-sided mat? The price difference never seems so much that it wouldn't be a better option to have two options to play on.

Single sided mats have a rubber back to prevent slipping around on the table.

To OP: I have two Deepcut Studio mats and am very happy with them. Logo is barely noticeable in one corner. You really have to search for it. Only downside to them: no rounded edges.

Pretty much what the other guys said:

1) Patterns and combinations.
2) Availability from your preferred vendor.
3) Having two mats instead of one (a lot of people help run local tournaments, or run "big" games at their house using two mats, etc.)
4) The double sided mats don't roll up as easily and are missing the "tacky" back which is a little trivial, but something to consider.
5) Cost, as stated above I've found that I don't really think the cost is worth it for most double-sided mats, unless shipping becomes an issue. Many are $60-65 for a single mat and $100-105 for a double sided mat. For $15 more I'd rather have two mats if the shipping is only slightly different.
6) I've only done it a few times, but I occasionally will loan out a mat to someone...so by having a handful of mats, I don't lose my ability to game.

Are any of these deal breakers? Not at all. My closes gaming buddy has two double-sided mats whereas I have three (sold a few off) single sided mats at present. I admit I'm awfully picky about the mat style/designs that I like and purchase, and many of them are not available double-sided. I'd probably get a double sided if it was two styles I really wanted, but who knows.

 Hanskrampf wrote:
I have two Deepcut Studio mats and am very happy with them. Logo is barely noticeable in one corner. You really have to search for it. Only downside to them: no rounded edges.

I have one of the newer Deep Cut designs, and it doesn't have a logo on it.

I don't have strong feeling one way or the other about the corners.

 harlokin wrote:

 Elbows wrote:
A quality neoprene gaming mat is worth the money you spend on it. If you pick smartly, you'll get years and years of use out of it. As such, for a single-sided mat, simply plan for $95-10

Not sure if it's a stupid question, but why would someone go for a single-sided mat? The price difference never seems so much that it wouldn't be a better option to have two options to play on.

Because you might find a design that you really really like from a company that doesn't offer double-sided, or double-sided in the size you want.
Might just be me, but if I'm spending $ I don't like to compromise & take my second choice without a damned good reason. Having two sides vs just the one I really want is not a damned good reason for me.

I've got one from gamemat.eu, it's awesome. Definitely worth the shipping.

I highly recommend gamemat.eu; their design is terrific and no logos on the corners, they do double sides designs as well. I would also remind you to buy the tube containers for storage, their bag mat storage is flimsy, but what do you expect for $5.

I really liked frontline gaming's swamp design, but they have the corner logos. always go with mouspad material, its worth every penny.

I've got almost a dozen Gamemat.eu mats. Never had a problem with the bags.

I'm going to order one from Gamemat.eu when the lockdown is over. Happily the one I want, Fallout Zone, has a double-sided option with an urban landscape on the reverse.

I only wish there were more game mats with a fantasy style road plans. The ones I have seen don't look like the type of village I would like to build around, so more options would be nice. Maybe straight paths leading to a town square, or just a reskin of the 40k / futuristic roads without the cross walk and with cobblestones.

Have you looked at Urbanmatz "Dirty Roads"? I have it, and it's absolutely perfect for Mordheim.

https://www.urbanmatz.com/p/209/dirty-roads-6x4

 Elbows wrote:
Have you looked at Urbanmatz "Dirty Roads"? I have it, and it's absolutely perfect for Mordheim.

https://www.urbanmatz.com/p/209/dirty-roads-6x4

I havn't but now I'm definitely saving that one for the future. all I need is a grid style layout and i'd be pretty happy!

I must be doing it wrong. I have two folding tables I got from Target that are 2 1/2' by 6' and fold in half in the middle that I set up next to each other. For a mat I use a US Government issue wool blanket. You know, the Army blanket? Yeah, durable as all get out, easier to clean than you'd realize, and with proper care will last decades. I luckily got it for the price of asking a Supply Sergeant politely.

 Just Tony wrote:
I must be doing it wrong. I have two folding tables I got from Target that are 2 1/2' by 6' and fold in half in the middle that I set up next to each other. For a mat I use a US Government issue wool blanket. You know, the Army blanket? Yeah, durable as all get out, easier to clean than you'd realize, and with proper care will last decades. I luckily got it for the price of asking a Supply Sergeant politely.

My first “Battle Mat” was a bolt of fabric that was scrunched up and given a few spritzes of SAC Bomber Tan to give it some color variance. It was a step up from just playing on the floor with books for hills and soda bottle towers. But not quite as nice as a modern neoprene printed mat.

I do need to get some of those tables though. While I’d like to just find a 4x6, I don’t think that’s happening without excessive shipping. But I’m getting to old for floorhammer. I also need to make more terrain to match my new mat.

 Just Tony wrote:
I must be doing it wrong. I have two folding tables I got from Target that are 2 1/2' by 6' and fold in half in the middle that I set up next to each other. For a mat I use a US Government issue wool blanket. You know, the Army blanket? Yeah, durable as all get out, easier to clean than you'd realize, and with proper care will last decades. I luckily got it for the price of asking a Supply Sergeant politely.

Seems pretty wrong to me.

There's nothing wrong with using an old army blanket. I've played on plenty of beautiful tables with exactly that.







However, that doesn't solve my problem if I want something other than green grass, etc.

Yeah, I've used a green sheet in the past as well. Also a blue one with daisies on it.

That's not doing it 'wrong'. It's just another way of doing it. Gaming mats are pretty, and so some people like them.

Yep, and simply put, many game mats provide you a surface which would be time consuming or difficult to reproduce without one - particularly one you can roll up into a bag. If I want a large devastated urban area or a rusty interior of a ship, a simple blanket won't do me any good...and reproducing that in another fashion would be expensive and difficult to store.