Can You Write on a Desk Mat?

Desk mats/blotters are a fairly common sight in offices, and they are used for both practical and stylistic purposes. But, can you write on a desk mat? 

Desk mats are ideal for providing the perfect surface for delicate tasks like writing or typewriting. They bring uniformity to uneven and textured surfaces. Furthermore, desk mats are slip-resistant, making it easy for the user to write. 

And that’s not all. There’s more to desk mats than meets the eye. And you need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of writing on desk mats to be able to get your writing tasks done properly. 

In this article, we’ll be doing exactly that. So, without any further ado, let’s dive right in. 

What’s the Best Surface to Write on? 

A super-smooth surface that’s durable and easy to clean would be the best surface for writing on. For instance, a satin-etched glass is an excellent writing surface for fluid handwriting.

The smoothness and efficiency of your writing tasks will largely depend on the quality and finish of the surface that you’re writing on. If you’re not going to use a desk mat, then you have to make sure the desk you’re purchasing has a nice finish. 

There are some finishes such as polyurethane and lacquer that even out the unevenness and minor inconsistencies of the surface while at the same time providing sufficient resistance to your pen. 

But, no matter what type of desk you use, if you use a desk mat, then your ease of writing will entirely depend on the desk mat that’s being used. 

So, Can You Write on a Desk Mat’s Surface? 

Actually, you can use a writing desk mat by fixing it to any kind of surface provided that it’s large enough to be appropriate for writing or typing. 

Desk mats are used to bring uniformity to an otherwise slightly distorted/uneven surface. For instance, most wooden desks have textured and rough surfaces.

That makes it hard for you to put a paper on top of it and write on it.

On the other hand, desktops that are made out of metal or glass have smoother surfaces, but they are slippery as well. 

In these cases, a desk mat can do the trick. It can kill two birds with one stone by getting rid of the unevenness of the surface while providing a non-slip surface as well.  

As a bonus, it will also protect your desktop from scratches and ink. 

Pros and Cons of Writing on a Desk Mat

Writing on a desk mat certainly has some compelling advantages. And this process is also not without its faults. 

Let’s take a closer look at those merits and demerits of writing on a desk mat so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for you or not. 

Pros of Writing on a Desk Mat:

  1. If you write on a desk mat, you’ll be better organized. You can easily organize papers, pens, business documents, phone numbers, etc. organized if you use a desk mat. 
  2. You can keep track of your daily tasks by writing down the agenda directly on the desk mat. 
  3. You can jot down brief notes or instructions to yourself on the desk mat or a sticky note and then attach that to the mat. 
  4. It will help declutter your workspace, thus providing a cleaner environment for you to write. 

Cons of Writing on a Desk Mat:

  1. Some mats are not large enough to cover the area of your workspace that’s required for you to write. 
  2. There are a lot of desk mats in the market that is quite thin and don’t provide enough cushion required to write comfortably. 

Related Questions

Can you write on a leather desk pad? 

Leather is the type of material that has been a mainstay in the fashion industry since time immemorial. Its durability and aesthetics are what makes it so desirable. 

And unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few years, then you know that leather is making a comeback to mainstream fashion and decor. And a lot of office accessories such as desk pads are now made out of leather. 

Leather desk mats provide a smooth and even surface for tasks such as writing and they also protect the desks from sustaining damage. 

What is a writing desk pad? 

As the name suggests, a writing desk pad is a type of desk pad that has been specifically designed and made for writing. This type of mat typically comes at a size of 36″W X 20″ D.

A writing desk pad is necessary to keep your writing as fluid and consistent as possible. 

Should I Use a Desk Mat?  

As you’re reading through an article about desk mats, it’s safe to assume that you’ve spent some money on your work desk and you don’t want it to get damaged. 

The good news is that you can protect your expensive desk and get a perfectly flat and smooth surface at the same time by investing in a desk mat. 

It will provide you with better ergonomics at your work desk which will boost your productivity and creativity while writing and performing other tasks. 

Final Thoughts 

Whether you’re writing your SOP letter to get into college, taking notes while studying, or writing the next Politzer prize-winning article, having the ability to jot down your thoughts while working on your desk is a must. 

But, you need a nice, smooth surface on your desk to be able to write properly. And you’re probably thinking about purchasing a desk mat to get some assistance with your writing tasks. 

And there you have it. No matter what your expertise might be, if you have a desk job, then writing things down is a part and parcel of your work life.

Shouldn’t you do everything you can to make that task as easy and convenient as possible? And you can do that by purchasing a high-quality desk mat. 

Hopefully, we were able to answer your question. For more interesting topics like this please check out some of our other articles on this blog. 

Till next time, bye!

Sifatul Shohan

Hi, I'm the co-owner of officechairtrends.com. A blogger and a freelance web developer.  As I work as developer, I have to work for prolonged hours at a desk that's where I developed back pain. I started researching on ergonomic chairs and gained knowledge throughout the process.  This is the site where I share everything I've learned about office chairs.