Most educational facilities will have an art and design department where various artistic abilities and talents are discovered and where many students find their hidden passion for art and all this entails. However in order to encourage this lust for imaginative, creative work, the correct tools must be provide so that students are able to flourish! The basics can never be forgotten such as the medium which will be used in class (paint, charcoal, pencil, pastel etc) and the basics such as paper, knives, brushes and so on. However many people leave it to the last minute before they purchase cutting mats.

A cutting mat is strongly advised wherever cutting implements are used. So this of course is not just in educational facilities. You will find as standard, cutting mats in areas such as photography studios, design and advertising studios, in the home for card and paper crafts, for quilting and other fabric work, the list is endless. It is used not just to protect your surfaces (and your blades), but also as a measuring tool to ensure a clean and straight cut. All cutting mats will feature a measuring grid printed onto their surface for guidelines.

Another less common use for a cutting mat is to aid in handwriting, this is most common with calligraphy as the mat can be slipped under their paper and used as a reference to ensure letters are written evenly and in a straight line. Of course this then also doubles up as a protective layer for your desk or table, protecting it from impressions and ink spills or seepage.

Here at LA Office we have a selection of self healing cutting mats which are made by the brand Linex. Available in A1, A2 and A3 sizes, you will find a mat suitable for your task and your space. Take a look at our A2 Linex Cutting Mat for example.

• Three layer, one hard layer between two soft layers
• Can be used on both sides
• Anti-slip, self-healing material
• Metric millimetre grid on one side
• A2 Size
• RRP £36.45 – Our price just £13.18 inc VAT!

You can simply order on line, or if you’re looking to purchase in bulk, we can look at giving you an even better price. Call us on 0870 766 1722 for quotes, ordering and more information. And remember, orders over £30 qualify for free delivery!

Desk mats are an increasingly popular item found among managerial personnel in the workplace. It’s become a status thing; “one with a desk should be looked up to, respected and has obvious sophistication”. They give an office, or rather a desk a little bit of “swagger” and their classiness will surely impress your clientele and customers. They are basically a way of marking success and higher status. A posh desk normally goes hand in hand which can often cost an arm-and-a-leg, and so the purchase of a desk mat in this instance becomes necessary rather than lavish. We mustn’t forget the actual purpose of the desk mat you see; to protect our beautiful surfaces from pen impressions, scratches and general wear and tear. However in my opinion, the best bit about a desk mat is the sift surface it gives you to write upon; it makes writing smooth and enjoyable!

At LA Office we have quite a large selection of different desk mats with various options including work pads, indexes, anti-glare covers, non-slip backing, calendars and even USB hubs! However today’s choice has to be the unique option. Take a look at our Durable Artwork Desk Mat featured.

This distinctive and modern trapezoid shape desk mat will not only enhance the appearances of your desk and protect it, but it will also allow you individualise it in whatever way you choose! The transparent anti-glare, hard-wearing overlay cover lifts so that you can place under it a picture of your choice. This could be a map, a calendar page, a famous copy of artwork or even a picture you child drew for you! What’s more you can be sure of a smooth writing surface and non-slip foam backing! Measuring (WxD) 680 x 510mm, the size is spot on and at just £15.70 inc VAT, it’s certainly affordable.

The icing on the cake however has to be that this mat is made by the prestigious Durable, a brand who have celebrated three awards at the 2009 BOSS Awards; Brand Awareness, Manufacturer Environment Award and Marketing Excellence. What’s more, they have been voted Supplier of the Year at the Nemo Conference and for the third time, DURABLE was awarded Langstane’s coverted Supplier of the Year Award too! If there was a flicker of doubt about our Durable desk mat, then their reputation is sure to clear up any hesitation!

The Green Bit

DURABLE products are particularly eco-friendly thanks to their durability. The plastic materials they use are robust, have excellent recycling properties and can be disposed of together with normal refuse with no problem at all.

In accordance with its guiding principles, Durable continuously aim to further optimise their ecology-oriented management. Their aim is to develop products that are largely recyclable (of course they should also be produced at low cost and yield a reasonable profit!). To meet this ideal as closely as possible, Durable continuously carry out critical analyses of the environmental impact of their products and production processes. Thus the material thicknesses of their products and above all, their packaging are constantly reviewed for possible enhancements. Through packaging modifications developed in-house, Durable have been able to achieve significant material savings and reductions in volume. Durable also demonstrate their responsibility towards the environment through their purchasing policies. Important decisions in favour of ecologically sustainable production are being made in regular project meetings between their purchasing department and suppliers. Careful selection of optimal materials is one way to protect the environment.  The right choice of suppliers is also as important to Durable. They never fail to check whether the manufacturers and their suppliers are certified, and how they are being regulated. These questions must always be answered before they decide on any purchase.