Custom Playmat Artwork Guide: Resolution & Cropping
Prepare artwork for a custom TCG playmat with practical guidance on image resolution, proportions and cropping. When your file is ready, open the custom playmat builder.
Start with the mat size
The standard size in our custom builder is 24 × 14 inches. That is a 12:7 aspect ratio. A square image or phone portrait will need cropping, extra background or a different composition to fill that shape. Choose the area you want to show before placing your order.
For a different size, use the builder’s custom-size quote option. Your requested dimensions affect both the artwork layout and the price.
Playmat dimensions in inches and centimetres
One inch equals 2.54 centimetres. A 24 × 14-inch mat is 60.96 × 35.56 cm; a 24 × 24-inch mat is 60.96 × 60.96 cm. These are unit conversions, not a substitute for the dimensions in your selected listing or production template.
Working in centimetres? Divide each dimension by 2.54 before multiplying by your chosen pixels per inch. For example, a requested 60 × 35 cm design at 150 pixels per inch needs approximately 3,544 × 2,067 pixels before bleed. A 60 × 35 cm design is not exactly the same size as 24 × 14 inches.
For a general explanation of print resolution, see Adobe’s guide to printed image resolution. For table fit, thickness and layout choices, read our TCG playmat size and thickness guide.
Use pixel dimensions, not just “2K” or “4K”
The detail available for printing depends on the original pixel count and the physical print size. A “4K” label alone does not tell us whether an image will fit a wide playmat without cropping. Check the file’s width and height in pixels.
- Pixels needed across the width = print width in inches × pixels per inch.
- Pixels needed across the height = print height in inches × pixels per inch.
For a 24 × 14-inch design, these examples show the arithmetic before adding any production bleed:
| Example density | Image dimensions | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| 150 pixels per inch | 3,600 × 2,100 pixels | 150 original pixels across each printed inch |
| 300 pixels per inch | 7,200 × 4,200 pixels | 300 original pixels across each printed inch |
These are reference calculations, not guaranteed acceptance thresholds or the final production template. Ask us about the requirements for your selected size if you are unsure.
Changing the DPI setting does not add detail
Changing a file’s DPI label from 72 to 300 does not create missing pixels. Enlarging a small image can make it look soft. Start with the original high-resolution artwork when possible rather than a screenshot, social-media download or repeatedly compressed copy. Check faces, lettering and fine lines at the intended print size.
Leave room around important details
Keep names, small text, faces and game-zone labels away from the outside edge. Cropping and production trimming can affect that area. Bleed is extra artwork beyond the finished edge; it is separate from the visible design. Do not assume the dimensions in the table include bleed. Contact us for sizing or artwork help before ordering if exact placement matters.
Choose full art or game zones
Full art keeps the focus on your illustration. Added game zones help organize the play area. If your artwork already contains zones, choose the existing-zone option in the builder so the intended layout is clear. Check that labels will remain legible at the finished size.
Upload your file or share a link
The builder accepts PNG, JPG and PDF files up to 20 MB, or an artwork link. For a shared link, make sure the file can be accessed without requesting permission. Use artwork you have permission to reproduce.
Choose the size, thickness and layout, attach your artwork, and check the subtotal before checkout. If you require a digital proof or approval step, ask us to confirm the available process before ordering.
Ready to create your mat?
Design your custom TCG playmat or ask for help with your file. See our current processing and delivery estimates before purchasing.