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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Two Inches of Felt on 22 November 2023, 04:23:08 PM

Title: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 22 November 2023, 04:23:08 PM
I found this on AliExpress, they are dirt cheap ($20 for a huge one) and as large as any wargaming table.

I'm wondering how well a hex grid would come out overlaid on a sand or grass texture.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801340844530.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.732314f74rCdEf&browser_id=6e8a0ea7f0c14a8fb7580f44f817fcdd&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=bzjhwcktycabhqrs18bf7d1dcca1418ee5421b7e27&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%214.13%210.99%21%21%214.13%21%21%402101e9cf17006698078026794ea764%2112000026652545756%21sea%21US%210%21AB&algo_pvid=c7a891e3-050f-4885-92fb-d5fb441f668c&search_p4p_id=2023112208164711755958371518240002309915_1
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: armchairgeneral on 22 November 2023, 08:36:05 PM
Aren’t these printed on to a fine “mesh” type material that you sew over? I didn’t think you could buy a tapestry fully done?
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 22 November 2023, 11:11:17 PM
Based on the reviews,  it looks like a piece of cloth that they print on completely.  They ask for a high resolution image to print from.
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 05 December 2023, 11:12:26 PM
I bought a 6' x 8' one as a test.  I miscalculated my hex sizes but it turned out exactly as ordered. It's basically a bed sheet.

1 year old holding a tape measure for scale
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Kelly_ on 06 December 2023, 12:53:00 AM
I am a big fan of using actual 1/3 figures to demonstrate scale, like this classic from Cigar Box Battle Mats…
(https://www.cigarboxbattle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Cigar-Box-Battle-Mats-1-225x300.jpg)

…but actually how was the resolution of their fabric printing?  The only custom mats I have ordered have all been printed on fleeces so the definition of the printing was much softer (pun intended) than stock neoprene or vinyl mats.
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Luigi on 06 December 2023, 02:51:58 AM
I'm very interested in this thread and will follow with great interest.

I'd love to see some up close pictures of miniatures on it.
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 06 December 2023, 04:06:16 AM
I can't really comment on resolution because the file I sent for printing was pretty low res but I'm sure it's better than fleece haha. The size I bought was pretty big so a high resolution graphics file might have been pretty sizeable.

The hack job I did creating my grid added some fuzziness to the lines too.

Here is a pic with some 2 inch ships. I intended to print the hexes at 2 inches each but messed it up.

Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Luigi on 06 December 2023, 02:53:27 PM
This is very promising.
Especially for something very generic such as water, sand, steppes, rocky grass, grassy rocks or anything where details are not fundamental to the game itself.
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 06 December 2023, 03:17:08 PM
This is very promising.
Especially for something very generic such as water, sand, steppes, rocky grass, grassy rocks or anything where details are not fundamental to the game itself.

Exactly,  next I'm going to order a smallish one (90x90cm) with hex grid,  sandy texture,  and some resolution tests in the corner.

One that small is apparently only $4 and no shipping! I will use it for tiny sword and sandal type skirmishes.
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Luigi on 06 December 2023, 03:53:03 PM
Is it smooth to the touch and do miniatures (or bases/movement trays I should say) slide easily on it? Or do they risk getting caught and "undo" the fabric?

Not that it matters too much at that price point!
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 06 December 2023, 04:51:00 PM
It is quite smooth,  I think it is probably polyester, so basically a cheap bedsheet. I don't think it will catch miniatures at all like my felt mat does.
Title: Re: Anyone ordered a "tapestry" to use as a game mat?
Post by: Two Inches of Felt on 17 December 2023, 02:36:27 AM
Another update, I ordered a mini one to test resolution and also to use for tiny skirmishes. The resolution is actually pretty good in my opinion. Here it is with some 1/144 scale panzers: