In today’s hybrid workplace era, it is easy to overlook the importance of desk pads (aka blotters) while setting up one’s workspace. Nevertheless, desk pads are highly useful for increasing productivity and comfort while working from one’s home or the office. On the surface, desk pads may just seem like a mat to safely place laptops and other work essentials on a table. However, they can seriously improve or deteriorate the quality of one’s work.

Types of desk pads & blotters
Desk pads come in a variety of materials, and each kind can be used in multiple work applications. Some of the types include:

Leather desk pads
These blotters are made from premium-quality, soft-touch leather that provides a professional and highly luxurious look to one’s workroom or office. Apart from their easy-to-use nature, the best part of these desk pads are that they are easy to clean and use for the long term. Also, in contrast with their soft, pleasant surface, leather blotters are among the most durable office products available.

Gaming desk pads
Desk pads are not just for work purposes. Professional and amateur gamers use them to cushion their gaming laptops or consoles while they focus on their controllers and other devices. Gaming desk pads often have anti-slip surfaces and extra padding for additional comfort so that users do not feel much strain or fatigue after hours of gaming.

Clear desk pads
Clear desk pads are built from transparent materials. Many people prefer seeing their desks while working. For such individuals, these blotters are the ideal choice of equipment. More importantly, these pads are designed to safeguard one’s desk from ink spills or scratches.

Linoleum desk pads
These are desktop pads made of the synthetic material linoleum. This material is known for its extremely strong and durable structure. As a result, using these blotters helps to reduce the possibility of having scratches on one’s work desk. However, this material is also soft and pleasant to handle, just like leather with a different texture. Linoleum’s soft surface makes it an easy blotter to draw things on. This desk pad absorbs the pressure of one’s handwriting or drawing. This protects it from sharp pens and pencils.

Vinyl desk pads
Vinyl is another synthetic material commonly used to produce daily essential office items such as desk pads. Like linoleum, vinyl desk pads are sensitive yet sturdy and, above all, high-functioning work or gaming products. Compared to linoleum, these products are even more durable, attractive, and also lower-priced. Vinyl pads tend to have a matte finish and a leather-like texture. This makes them a handy cruelty-free alternative to leather blotters.

Apart from these, there are several other types of desk pads & blotters, including classic faux leather blotters, ergonomic-focussed blotters, decorative desk pads and blotters, and study blotters.

Factors to consider while purchasing desk pads
Like every product, desk pads also have several facets, some useful and others redundant. So, one must consider specific aspects of the blotter before putting down cash for it.

Material
As seen above, blotters can be made of all kinds of materials. Buyers might prefer certain materials over others based on factors such as convenience, comfort, allergies, preference regarding softness, and others. In other words, it is wiser to purchase desk pads after touching their surface and trying out their other aspects closely.

Size and thickness
Large desks need larger mats, while smaller ones can do with small-sized desk pads. A desk pad needs to fit the desk it will be used on. So, size is not a facet that can be ignored.

Likewise, thickness is also important for cushioning, comfort, and ergonomics. While thickness must be good, blotters must not be too thick and cumbersome to handle. Ideally, blotters must have a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 2 inches.

Anti-slip pads
One of the main tasks of a desk pad is to keep the laptop, keyboard, or other things placed on it from slipping about the surface and falling down. Therefore, buyers need to make sure that the pad they purchase has a non-slipping back.

Apart from these, factors such as color and brand reliability can also be considered.