How is the logo made, and will it wear off?

It is an inlay, not a print. The logo area is cut out of the mat and the colored sections are hand-laid into the cut-out like a jigsaw, so the logo is built into the surface rather than coated on top — there is no print layer to scuff away. The fabric is solution-dyed, which means color runs through the fiber and resists fading. Between the inlay construction and the solution-dyeing, the logo holds up about as well as the mat itself does.

What colors and border options are available?

There are 19 colors to build the logo and field from, plus a choice of border: a classic rubber border for a clean, utilitarian edge, or a fashion fabric border when you want the surround to feel more finished. Because the inlay is hand-laid in distinct color sections, it suits bold, well-defined logos and lettering rather than fine gradients. Send us your artwork and brand colors and we will lay out how it translates into the inlay and confirm the color match before production.

How well does it handle dirt and water?

This is where the Waterhog construction earns its name. The bi-level surface scrapes dirt and moisture off shoes and drops it below shoe level, so it is held in the mat instead of tracking across your floors, and the raised water-dam border keeps moisture on the mat — up to roughly 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. That makes it a strong performer at a busy or wet entrance, not just a branded mat. Lifting it periodically so the floor underneath dries keeps it working at its best.

Can it go outside, and is it slip-safe?

Yes on both. It is rated for indoor and outdoor commercial entrances, and the solution-dyed fabric resists fading outdoors. On safety, it has beveled edges that give a safe transition from floor to mat instead of a trip lip, and it is certified high-traction by the NFSI, so it holds grip as people come through. The 68-mil SBR rubber backing — smooth or universal-cleated — keeps it planted; choose cleated for hard floors where you want extra grip underneath.

How is the logo made, and will it wear off?

It is an inlay, not a print. The logo area is cut out of the mat and the colored sections are hand-laid into the cut-out like a jigsaw, so the logo is built into the surface rather than coated on top — there is no print layer to scuff away. The fabric is solution-dyed, which means color runs through the fiber and resists fading. Between the inlay construction and the solution-dyeing, the logo holds up about as well as the mat itself does.

What colors and border options are available?

There are 19 colors to build the logo and field from, plus a choice of border: a classic rubber border for a clean, utilitarian edge, or a fashion fabric border when you want the surround to feel more finished. Because the inlay is hand-laid in distinct color sections, it suits bold, well-defined logos and lettering rather than fine gradients. Send us your artwork and brand colors and we will lay out how it translates into the inlay and confirm the color match before production.

How well does it handle dirt and water?

This is where the Waterhog construction earns its name. The bi-level surface scrapes dirt and moisture off shoes and drops it below shoe level, so it is held in the mat instead of tracking across your floors, and the raised water-dam border keeps moisture on the mat — up to roughly 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. That makes it a strong performer at a busy or wet entrance, not just a branded mat. Lifting it periodically so the floor underneath dries keeps it working at its best.

Can it go outside, and is it slip-safe?

Yes on both. It is rated for indoor and outdoor commercial entrances, and the solution-dyed fabric resists fading outdoors. On safety, it has beveled edges that give a safe transition from floor to mat instead of a trip lip, and it is certified high-traction by the NFSI, so it holds grip as people come through. The 68-mil SBR rubber backing — smooth or universal-cleated — keeps it planted; choose cleated for hard floors where you want extra grip underneath.

Can I print my logo in our exact brand colors?

You can get close, and we will tell you honestly how close. The surface prints in full color, and we can match up to four PMS colors per design for brand accuracy, with a one-time setup fee of $270.38 per PMS color. The honest part: the mat is finished under a hot press, and that heat tends to lighten the print a few shades, so an exact PMS match is not guaranteed — we get near it. Send us your brand colors and artwork and we will build a proof so you can see the match before anything runs.

Are there artwork rules I should know before sending a design?

A few, and they are all about keeping the print clean. Keep text at least 1/2 inch tall and lines at least 1/16 inch thick; very thin or special fonts may need to be sized up, which we handle case by case. Do not use white as a background or in the imprint — it discolors through manufacturing — but there are light tones that hold up in its place. And if you are working in CorelDraw, avoid PowerClips in the file. Send the art over and we will flag anything that needs adjusting.

What's it made of, and how long does it last?

It is nitrile rubber at 3/16 inch thick over a cushion backing, with the printed artwork carried on a polymetric film bonded to the surface. Nitrile holds up well to the spills, citrus, and constant wipe-downs a bar surface sees, and the cushion gives it some give on a hard counter. Lifespan comes down to how hard it is worked and how it is cleaned; on a busy bar, plan to replace it when the print starts to wear in the heavy-use zone rather than waiting for the rubber to give out.

Will it protect the counter and keep glasses from sliding?

That is the working half of the job. The cushioned rubber body shields the countertop from glassware, bottles, and the constant set-down-and-slide of a service area, and the rubber face grips so glasses and bottles stay put instead of skating across a wet counter. It also passes the DOC-FF1-70 flammability standard, which is worth knowing for a mat that sits behind a bar near heat and open flame. So it earns its place as a working bar mat first, with the branding on top of that.