How It's Made

Every Rubicon mat is made to order in our own studio in New Jersey, USA. Here's how your art becomes a mat that lasts, and what to look for when you choose one.

Why our mats last

Built to last
Sublimated ink bonds into the cloth, so your art won't peel, crack or fade with play.
Your art, edge to edge
Full-bleed printing with rich color and sharp detail, from card art to photos.
Stitched or clean edges
Clear or black stitched edges stop fraying. Prefer a classic look? Go unstitched.
Non-slip rubber base
A dense 3 mm rubber backing grips the table and cushions every card you play.
Mats for every table
Playmats, desk mats, board game and wargaming mats, from mousepads to full tables.
Made in New Jersey, USA
Every mat is made to order in our own studio and shipped from New Jersey.

What is dye sublimation?

Dye sublimation is how we print every mat. Your design is printed onto transfer paper with special inks, then pressed onto the mat with heat and pressure. The heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds into the polyester fibers of the surface. Nothing sits on top to peel, crack or rub off, so the colors stay bright through years of shuffling, sliding and play.

How your mat is made

Designed, printed, pressed and shipped in New Jersey, USA.

I Design
Upload your art or build it in Playmat Studio, with card zones and text.
II Print
Your design is printed onto transfer paper with sublimation inks.
III Press
A heat press bonds the ink into the cloth surface, so the art becomes part of the mat.
IV Ship
Your mat is checked, packed and shipped from our New Jersey studio to your door.

Sublimation vs. surface printing

Many low-cost mats are printed on top of the fabric, so the image sits on the surface like a sticker. Over time it can crack, peel and wear away where your hands and cards slide most.

With dye sublimation, the ink becomes part of the fabric:

No peeling or cracking: there's no layer of ink on top to come away.
A smooth feel: the surface stays soft cloth, so cards glide and shuffle the same everywhere.
Lasting color: the art is sealed into the fibers and holds up to years of play.

Choosing your edges

Our standard 24" x 14" and 28" x 14" playmats come in three edge finishes. Larger mats come clear stitched.

Clear stitched: transparent stitching stops fraying while keeping your art visible right to the edge.
Black stitched: a classic framed look with the same protection.
Unstitched: a clean cut edge with the full image to the border, at a lower price.

Caring for your mat

Spot clean: use cool water and a little mild soap on a soft cloth, then blot dry.
Dry flat: let it air dry flat. Don't put it in a dryer or iron it.
Store it rolled: roll it with the art facing out, or keep it in a hexagon tube, so it stays flat and crease-free.