How to Make a Custom TCG Playmat: Size, Artwork, Zones & Printing Guide

A great TCG playmat does more than give your cards a place to sit. It can become part of your entire gaming setup.

Whether you want to put your own artwork on a mat, create a playmat around your favourite deck, add card zones for a specific game, or make something completely different from the standard designs available in stores, a custom TCG playmat gives you much more control.

But before you upload an image and place an order, there are a few things worth getting right.

The size of the mat, resolution of your artwork, placement of important details, game zones and material can all affect how the finished playmat looks and performs.

Here's what to consider when creating your own.

What Is a Custom TCG Playmat?

A custom TCG playmat is a gaming mat printed with artwork or a design chosen by you.

Instead of selecting an existing design from a collection, you can create a mat around your own idea.

That could be:

• Your original artwork

• A favourite character

• A deck illustration

• A personal logo

• Artwork made specifically for your playgroup

• A favourite scene or landscape

• A custom gaming setup

• A design created for a tournament or event

You can also choose whether the mat is purely decorative or includes dedicated card zones.

This makes custom playmats particularly popular with players of Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana and other trading card games.

What Size Should a TCG Playmat Be?

One of the first things to decide is the size.

A common standard TCG playmat is approximately 24 × 14 inches, or around 61 × 36 cm.

This gives most players enough room for cards while remaining practical to roll up and take to a game store, tournament or friend's house.

A standard 24 × 14 inch mat is a good choice if you want something designed primarily for normal tabletop TCG play.

Larger mats can make sense if you want:

• Extra space around your cards

• Room for dice and tokens

• A larger artwork area

• Space for multiple decks

• A more substantial gaming setup

If you're creating your first custom mat, the standard 24 × 14 inch format is a safe starting point.

What Artwork Should You Use?

The artwork is probably the biggest decision you'll make.

Because a playmat is much larger than a phone or computer screen, an image that looks sharp on a small display may not look as good when printed.

Start with the highest-quality version of your artwork available.

Good options include:

• Original digital artwork

• High-resolution illustrations

• Artwork created specifically for printing

• High-quality photographs

• Custom graphics

Avoid using tiny images downloaded from social media whenever possible.

If the original image is available, use that instead.

Keep Important Details Away From the Edges

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make.

Don't put a character's face, important text or logo directly against the edge of your design.

Leave some space around important elements.

This gives the artwork a little breathing room and makes the final design less dependent on exactly where the print is positioned.

Remember That Cards Will Cover Your Artwork

A playmat isn't a poster.

During a game, cards will cover a large part of it.

That means you should think about where the artwork's focal point sits.

If the main character is positioned underneath your deck, you won't see much of it while playing.

A good design places important artwork in areas that remain visible around your cards.

Should You Add Card Zones?

This depends on how you intend to use the mat.

There are two main approaches.

Artwork-Only Playmat

An artwork-only mat keeps the design clean.

There are no boxes or labels telling you where cards should go.

This works particularly well if:

• You play multiple TCGs

• You want the artwork to be the main focus

• You use your mat for casual gaming

• You prefer a cleaner appearance

It also means you can use the same mat for different games.

Game-Specific Playmat

You can also create a layout with dedicated zones.

Depending on the game, this could include spaces for decks, discard piles, active cards, benches, prize cards or other game elements.

This can make the mat more functional if you mainly play one TCG.

For example, a player who primarily plays Pokémon may want a layout designed around Pokémon TCG gameplay, while an MTG Commander player might prefer a layout that works around their commander and battlefield.

Neither approach is automatically better.

It comes down to whether you want your playmat to function primarily as artwork, a gaming aid, or both.

Custom MTG Playmats

Magic: The Gathering gives you plenty of possibilities for custom artwork.

You could create a mat around:

• Your favourite commander

• A favourite card

• Your main deck

• A custom fantasy illustration

• Your playgroup

• A particular colour combination

• An original character or artwork

For Commander players, remember that the playmat will usually have several cards and accessories sitting on it at once.

A design with a strong focal point around the centre or upper portion of the mat can work particularly well.

Custom Pokémon Playmats

Pokémon TCG players can create designs around their favourite Pokémon, deck or artwork.

Character-focused artwork works particularly well, but remember that cards will cover part of the design during gameplay.

If you're designing a Pokémon playmat, think about where the main Pokémon will appear and whether it will still be visible once the game begins.

Custom Yu-Gi-Oh! Playmats

Yu-Gi-Oh! players can create playmats around favourite monsters, archetypes, characters or original artwork.

You can keep the design completely artwork-focused or build the artwork around a custom zone layout.

If you're switching between different games, an artwork-only design may be more useful.

Custom One Piece, Lorcana and Other TCG Playmats

Custom playmats aren't limited to the biggest TCGs.

You can create artwork for games such as:

• One Piece Card Game

• Disney Lorcana

• Digimon

• Flesh and Blood

• Gundam Card Game

• Star Wars: Unlimited

• Riftbound

• Other tabletop card games

One Piece players should also be aware of recent changes around unofficial artwork and accessories. Read our guide to the latest One Piece TCG accessory rules and what they mean for custom designs.

If you play several different games, a universal artwork design can be particularly useful.

What Makes a Good Custom Playmat?

A good custom playmat needs to look good and work well during a game.

Here are the main things to consider.

1. High-Quality Printing

Fine details, text and artwork should remain sharp when printed across the mat.

This is why starting with a high-quality source image matters.

2. A Non-Slip Backing

The bottom of the mat should stay reasonably stable on the table.

A mat that constantly moves while you're playing can become annoying very quickly.

3. A Comfortable Playing Surface

The surface should provide a comfortable area for cards while also protecting them from directly contacting the table.

4. Durable Edges

The edges receive a lot of handling when a mat is rolled, unrolled and transported.

Stitched edges can provide additional protection and give the mat a more finished appearance.

5. Artwork That Works With Gameplay

The best-looking design isn't necessarily the best playmat.

You need to consider where cards, dice and other accessories will sit.

Are Stitched Edges Worth It?

Stitched edges are worth considering if you use your playmat regularly.

Instead of leaving the perimeter of the mat with a standard finished edge, stitching reinforces the edge.

Potential advantages include:

• Better edge protection

• A more premium appearance

• Reduced fraying

• Better durability with regular use

If you're making a custom mat that you expect to use for years, stitched edges can be a worthwhile upgrade.

How to Design a Custom TCG Playmat

The process doesn't need to be complicated.

Step 1: Choose Your Artwork

Start with the image you want printed.

Use the highest-quality original file available.

Step 2: Choose Your Size

For most TCG players, 24 × 14 inches is a practical standard size.

Choose a larger format if you specifically want more table space.

Step 3: Decide Whether You Want Zones

Ask yourself how you normally play.

If you play several different games, an artwork-only mat may make more sense.

If you mainly play one TCG, game-specific zones can make the mat more useful.

Step 4: Position the Artwork

Make sure the important parts of the image aren't too close to the edges.

Also check that your cards won't permanently cover the main subject of the design.

Step 5: Choose Your Finish

Depending on the playmat, you may be able to select options such as standard or stitched edges.

Step 6: Preview Everything

Before ordering, check:

• Artwork position

• Important text

• Character faces

• Logos

• Edges

• Zones

• Overall composition

It's much easier to fix a design before it goes into production.

How Do Custom TCG Playmats Get Printed?

Most custom playmats use a printing process designed to transfer the artwork onto the playing surface.

The artwork is prepared for the selected dimensions and then printed onto the mat material.

The exact process varies between manufacturers, but the goal is the same:

turn your digital artwork into a durable physical playing surface.

This is why the quality of the artwork, printing process and material all matter.

A beautiful design can still disappoint if the final print is blurry, dull or poorly positioned.

How Much Does a Custom TCG Playmat Cost?

A custom TCG playmat typically costs around $20–$50 for a standard 24 × 14 inch mat, depending on the material, printing, finishing and seller.

From the current range of custom playmat listings, you may see:

• $20–$30: Basic custom playmats with standard materials and finishing
• $30–$40: Mid-range mats with better materials, printing or additional options
• $40–$50+: Premium mats, larger sizes, stitched edges or other finishing options

For example, a standard custom 24 × 14 inch playmat can be priced around $25–$35, while premium or specialty versions can cost considerably more.

The final price can depend on:

• Mat size
• Material
• Printing method
• Standard or stitched edges
• Custom card zones
• Premium finishing
• Production location
• Shipping

A cheaper mat isn't necessarily the better deal. If one costs $22 and another costs $35, compare the material, thickness, print quality, edge finishing, shipping and return policy before deciding.

The important thing is to compare what you actually get for the price, rather than choosing the lowest number. If you're comparing different suppliers, our guide to what to look for when choosing a custom playmat provider covers print quality, materials, shipping, customer reviews and other factors worth checking.

At PlaymatsPro, custom TCG playmats start at $27.50 USD, with options for custom sizing and additional finishing.

Where Can You Use a Custom TCG Playmat?

Your playmat doesn't have to stay at home.

Custom mats are useful for:

• Local game stores

• Tournaments

• Commander nights

• Pokémon League events

• Casual game nights

• Trading card conventions

• Tabletop gaming events

• Playing with friends

They also make a good way to personalise a gaming setup at home.

Custom Playmat or Pre-Made Playmat?

If you already know exactly what artwork you want, customisation makes a lot of sense.

A pre-made playmat is easier if you find an existing design you love.

Custom Playmat	Pre-Made Playmat
Your own artwork	Existing artwork
Personalised design	Ready-made design
Custom layouts possible	Fixed design
Unique to you	Easier to buy immediately
Great for gifts	Large selection available

The biggest advantage of going custom is simple:

you aren't limited to what's already available.

What to Check Before Ordering

Before you order your custom TCG playmat, check these five things:

Artwork quality
Is your image large and sharp enough for the final print?

Size
Is 24 × 14 inches enough for your setup?

Zones
Do you actually need game-specific card zones?

Finish
Would stitched edges be worthwhile for how often you play?

Shipping
Will the production and delivery time work for when you need it?

Taking a few minutes to check these details can prevent most of the common problems with custom playmat orders.

Create Your Own Custom TCG Playmat

Once you have your artwork ready, the process is pretty simple.Custom TCG playmat with personalized artwork and a smooth, durable surface

Choose the size, upload your design, decide whether you want zones or additional finishing options, check the preview and place your order.

If you're ready to turn your artwork into a physical playmat, create your custom playmat and start designing your own TCG setup.