Playmat FAQ: Size, Zoning, Shipping and Custom Orders
Everything about sizes, zoning, custom artwork, delivery and care. If your question is not here, email info@glowinggorilla.com and we reply within 24 hours.
Size and materials
What size is a Glowing Gorilla playmat?
24 by 14 inches, or 61 by 35 centimetres. That is the tournament standard and the size most players use. A 32 by 16 inch version is available if you want room for tokens and a wider board.
What are the playmats made of?
A cloth top bonded to a natural rubber base, roughly 2mm thick. The cloth lets sleeved cards glide without scratching, the rubber keeps the mat flat on any table.
What is a stitched edge and why does it matter?
A seam sewn through both the fabric and the rubber, all the way around the mat. Glued edges sit on top of the fabric and lift after a few months of rolling and washing. A stitched seam has no bond to break down. Every mat we make is stitched.
Are your playmats tournament legal?
Yes. A 24 by 14 inch playmat with printed zones is legal in sanctioned Magic: The Gathering events. Artwork must not obscure card faces or contain anything a judge could read as a marked surface, which is why our zone lines are printed at low contrast.
Zoning
What is zoning on a playmat?
Printed areas that mark where each pile goes: library, battlefield, lands, graveyard, exile, command zone, commander tax and life total. They are printed into the design rather than laid over it, and they are free on every playmat.
What is the difference between left handed and right handed zoning?
The layouts mirror each other. Right handed keeps your graveyard and exile under your right hand. Left handed flips the whole thing, so a left handed player does not reach across their own board every turn. Your graveyard is the pile you touch most, so it belongs under your dominant hand.
Do you have zoning for other card games?
We offer a Gundam Card Game layout alongside the Commander layouts. Our mats work for Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Lorcana, One Piece, Digimon and Flesh and Blood, but the zone layouts themselves are built for Magic and Gundam.
Can I order a mat without zones?
Yes. Order without zoning and the artwork runs edge to edge.
Custom playmats
How much does a custom playmat cost?
$44.99 for a custom playmat with your own artwork, including zoning and shipping. Ordering two saves 15 percent, three or more saves 20 percent.
What image resolution do I need?
A 24 by 14 inch mat at 300 DPI needs roughly 7200 by 4200 pixels. A phone screenshot is about 1170 pixels wide, which is too small. Send your file anyway if you are unsure.
What happens if my image is not good enough?
A person checks every upload before it goes to print. Most files are fine as they are, and where a file needs help we upscale it ourselves. If it will not hold at full size we email you before anything is printed.
What file formats can I upload?
JPG, PNG and WEBP, up to 20 MB. No file ready yet? Order now and email it to info@glowinggorilla.com with your order number.
Can I use official Magic card art?
No. Trademarked and copyrighted work cannot be printed, which rules out official card art, game logos and screenshots. Fan art is fine if you made it or have permission from the artist.
How long does a custom playmat take?
Most orders arrive within 7 to 11 working days. We check your file the same day, print and dispatch within 3 working days, and delivery inside the USA takes 4 to 8 working days.
Shipping
How much does shipping cost?
Nothing. Shipping is free on every order with no minimum.
Where do you ship from?
Playmats are printed locally in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, so nothing crosses a border to reach you. Canadian orders ship from our US facility.
How long does delivery take?
- United States: 4 to 8 working days
- United Kingdom: 2 to 3 working days
- Australia: 3 to 6 working days
- Canada: 7 to 12 working days
Orders dispatch within 3 business days. Custom playmats add up to 3 working days for the design check.
Will I be charged import duties?
No. All duties, taxes and customs fees are covered by us. Nothing is charged on delivery.
Do I get a tracking link?
Yes, by email the moment your order leaves our facility.
Care
How do I clean a playmat?
Hand wash with cool or lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dish soap, then air dry flat. Never use hot water, a washing machine or a dryer, because heat separates the cloth from the rubber base.
Can a playmat go in the washing machine?
We would not. The heat and spin cycle loosen the bond between the layers, and that damage is permanent. Hand washing takes ten minutes and carries no risk.
Can I store it rolled up?
Yes. Roll it with the artwork facing outward and it will not crease. Never fold a playmat, because the crease never fully goes away. A mat tube protects it in a backpack.
Will the colours fade?
The print is dye sublimated, which bonds the colour into the fibres instead of sitting on top of them. It does not crack or peel. Keep the mat out of prolonged direct sunlight and it stays vibrant.
Orders and returns
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna and Shop Pay.
What if my playmat arrives damaged or faulty?
Email info@glowinggorilla.com within 14 days with your order number and photos. If we confirm the issue you choose a replacement or a full refund, and you do not need to send the original back.
Can I return a playmat if I change my mind?
Every mat is printed to order with your choice of design and zoning, so we cannot take one back for a change of mind. Anything that goes wrong on our end is covered.
Is a playmat a good gift?
It works well for a player who already owns plenty of cards, because a mat is something most people never buy for themselves. Upload a photo, an inside joke or a commissioned piece of art and it becomes something they cannot get anywhere else.
Still have a question?
Email info@glowinggorilla.com and we reply within 24 hours. Or start with your own custom playmat or our ready made designs.