How to Design a Mouse Pad

A mouse pad is a fixture of every computer station. Because it is a highly visible component of any workstation, the user needs to feel comfortable looking at it every day. There are numerous websites dedicated to the design and professional printing of mouse pads, but making one at home with basic graphics software, a color printer and an iron-on transfer is simple.

Things You'll Need

• Graphic design software
• Subject art
• Ink jet printer
• Iron-on transfer paper
• Iron
• Blank mouse pad

Instructions

1. Select the photo, clip art or language for the mouse pad design. Family photos, free public domain photos, clip art, a favorite word or phrase, or language art such as a Japanese Kanji symbol are art sources to draw from.

2. Scan the art into the computer and save it in a format recognized by the graphics software to be used. If the art is already in a digital format, import the image into the graphics software from its disk, CD or Internet source.

3. Edit the art to fit the dimensions of the blank mouse pad.

4. Use the "mirror" or "flip" command in the graphics software to turn the art into its mirror image. This is especially important for designs using language so the design transfers onto the mouse pad properly.

5. Load the ink jet printer with photo transfer paper. Take care to load the paper so the design prints on the desired side.

6. Print the mouse pad design on the transfer paper.

7. Heat the iron to a no steam, cotton setting to allow the design to transfer fully onto the mouse pad.

8. Place the blank mouse pad face up on a hard surface that will not be damaged by any residual heat from the iron.

9. Center the design face down over the blank mouse pad.

10. Apply the iron to the back of the transfer paper. Use constant pressure for the time required by the transfer paper's instructions.

11. Let the mouse pad cool completely.

12. Peel the transfer paper from the mouse pad.