Instructions for Design A Mat

DESIGN-A-MAT -- Online HELP and TUTORIAL

1.	GETTING STARTED... Once the Design-A-Mat window opens, start by clicking anywhere in the window or press ENTER. You should now be able to select from the three TABS at the RIGHT of the screen. (See Below) Tab #1: MAT LAYOUT Tab #2: MAT ELEMENTS Tab #3: LETTERING / LOGOS

2.	MAT LAYOUT... Click the MAT LAYOUT tab to the far RIGHT. The tab will slide out, showing you several mat layout templates to select from. Simply click on the mat template you want to use as a starting point for your mat design. Once you have chosen your design click on the MAT ELEMENTS tab to begin defining your mat specifications. NOTE: If designing a mat for HOME USE. Please select the HOME USE template. These mats are only available in 10' x 10' or 11'6" x 11'6" (2-pieces). SEE STEP #11 from this HELP MENU. If you want a larger HOME USE MAT - please use a standard layout and define the size in STEP #3. (MAT ELEMENTS)

3.	MAT ELEMENTS... Define your mat specifications. (MAT SIZE, MAT THICKNESS, MAT CUT, and COLOR OPTIONS) NOTE: Standard mat sizes are available from a drop-down list. You may also define your own specific size if needed. Mats smaller than 38' x 38' may require additional pieces to provide adequate safety area to meet the National Federation of High School regulations. Competition mats should always allow for 5-ft of safety area (protection area) on the outside of the Wrestling Circle Line. EXAMPLE: 38' x 38' mat would have 28' wrestling area. / 40' x 40' would have a 30' wrestling area; etc.

4.	MAT CUT... Choose if your mat will be one piece or cut into SECTIONS. Generally, Resilite will cut a sectioned mat vertically. There are cases where a horizontal cut is most preferred due to positioning of lettering or logos on the mat. As a general rule: Try to avoid having TEXT or LOGOS places over cuts. Use a HORIZONTAL CUT if you plan on having TEXT running across the TOP or BOTTOM of the mat. Use a VERTICAL CUT if you plan on having your TEXT running "STACKED" down the SIDE of the mat.

5.	COLOR OPTIONS... Resilite offers 26 color options to select from. Use the SCROLL UP or SCROLL DOWN buttons to see all of the colors. (Colors are for screen representation only and will vary on each computer. - If color is a concern, always request an actual color sample before finalizing your mat order.) Select a color for each of the areas on your mat. If you want to keep the price to a minimum, here are a few suggestions: Keep the mat one solid color. Keep the number of colors to a minimum. If you want a solid colored circle on the mat, choose the 10' circle rather than the wrestling circle area.

6.	LETTERING & LOGOS... This is your opportunity to add decorations such as LETTERING and MASCOTS. We have developed a small library of common MASCOTS, you may select from the library or choose the "MY LOGO" icon to indicate your own logo will be placed in that location. 1) Select one of the five (5) locations to place your logo. ( UPPER LEFT, UPPER RIGHT, CENTER, LOWER LEFT, LOWER RIGHT) 2) Now choose your MASCOT from the library - or choose the from the library. 3) Once you have placed your logo the color options will appear. Choose a color for your logo. NOTE: All logos in the Design-A-Mat program are designed as 1-color logos at a standard 6' size. If you wish your logo to be priced in more than 1-color, please note that in the comments section when you submit your mat for a price quote. 4) You may FLIP or MIRROR your logo to face in a different direction. You can also ROTATE your logo in 90-degree increments. 5) Add additional logos if you wish. You may REMOVE the logos at any time by selection the CLEAR LOGOS button.
7.	LETTERING You have several options for placing LETTERING or TEXT onto your mat design. NOTE: We have tried to include some of the most common areas where text may be placed. If you have other areas or designs that this program is not able to demonstrate, please email or fax us a sketch with the details. We will be happy to quote it for you. 1) Select the location of your TEXT 2) Remember to place TEXT so that it does NOT cross over cuts. 3) For "Monograms" such as MHS choose from one the the five (5) locations. 4) For words such as SCHOOL or MUSTANGS select from one the the four (4) green bar areas. 5) Type your text into the text bar. Select the FONT, ALIGNMENT, and other text options available. 6) To place text running DOWN the side of the mat choose STACKED. 7) If you wish to place text on the SIDE facing OUT choose NORMAL orientation. 8) Once you have placed your text, select the text color. All text will appear as One-Color. ONE-TONE text verses TRI-TONE text. If you wish to have your text priced as TRi-TONE - choose that option in the text option menu. Becasue of the small size of the text - The text will still remain only ONE-COLOR on your layout, but will be indicated as TRI-TONE when you REVIEW SPECS. ONE COLOR TEXT TRI-TONE TEXT

8.	REVIEW SPECS... Once you have designed BOTH sides of your mat it is time to REVIEW SPECS. This is your opportunity to EDIT or change your mat layout before submitting it for a price quote. We suggest that you please READ all of the mat specifications thoroughly to verify all of the colors and details.

9.	PRINT YOUR MAT... We recommend that you PRINT your mat layout prior to submitting it for a quote. This way you will have a record of what your mat should look like. Make sure that your printer is set to LANDSCAPE paper orientation.

10.	SUBMIT MAT... After you have designed your mat on both sides, select SUBMIT MAT to receive a mat quotation within a few working days from Resilite. Fill out the form of personal information. Please don't forget to include contact information (correct e-mail, phone, or address) that Resilite can reply to your mat quotation.

11.	HOME USE MATS If you are designing a mat for HOME USE and want a standard HOME USE size (10' x 10' or 11'6" x 11'6") Please choose the HOME USE layout. NOTE: Standard HOME USE mats are designed in 2-pieces for shipping. If you choose 1-piece or another size SHIPPING CHARGES will apply. Standard Home Use Mats have NO markings on the Bottom Side of the mat. If you add llogos or lettering it will be sized accordingly to fit. Please visit our ONLINE Listing of IN-STOCK home use mats. These mats are ready for immediate delivery and include FREE SHIPPING.