Do you remember your first mouse pad? Look at what you have today! The evolution of mouse pads has come a long way from the foam, fabric pads used for ball mice to promotional mouse pads with endless options today.

The Origins of the Mouse Pad

Mousepads were first designed in the late 60s to help the early ball mice have a non-slippery, consistent surface so they would work well. They were made from soft materials that helped the rubber balls on the early mouse roll without too much wear.

Once laser mice came onto the scene in the early 2000s, mousepads were less of a necessity. Laser mice can function on many different surfaces. Mousepads, however, offer consistent surfaces that help even laser mice perform their best.

Today, they are made from foam and fabric, but also plastic, glass, and aluminum to help with precision. They also offer advanced features like customization, ergonomic features, and other aesthetics.

From Utility to Comfort and Performance

The New York Times states that in today’s technological work, computers, keyboards, and the mouse and mousepad are simply tools of the trade. They are commonplace in any office, but they no longer have to look common.

Mouse pads were simply features that sat next to the computer that were necessary to work the house correctly. Today, they help laser mice operate nicely, but they also help with comfort and style.

With most people using computers for the majority of the day, ergonomics is more important than ever. Mouse pads can come with pads that help the hand position correctly to prevent pain.

Mouse Pads as a Marketing Opportunity

There are other things these mouse-assistants can do. Consider mouse pads for marketing, for example. Since virtually everyone has a computer, and most people have a mousepad, why not utilize that for your company? It gives your company another opportunity to be in front of (and beside) customers’ eyes. If you have an online store, it’s even more important to have your logo right there, at the top of their mind, when they are on the computer.

Here are some reasons to create custom mousepads for your customers:

Keep Your Company’s Logo in View

Foster Brand Loyalty

Give them a Cost-Effective Gift

A Useful Reminder about Your Services

The Branding Impact in Modern Workspaces

Branded mouse pads are a good idea for the modern workplace as well. Scatter your own company’s mouse pads throughout the workspace you have for your employees. This helps to create team spirit and allows everyone to have a cohesive feel of togetherness as they collaborate on projects. They are all there for the same purpose and end goal.

You can also use mouse pads as a branding opportunity in outside workplaces. Get your mousepad into other companies’ hands and allow your branding to spread to places that benefit your bottom line. Any chance you have to get before the customer’s eyes is a good thing.

Digital Printing and Design Possibilities

Customizing anything used to be a real pain. Handmade, crafted items were about the only option decades ago. Today, however, with digital printing, the design possibilities are sky high.

Any company can choose a template, colors, patterns, and illustrations for their custom mousepads. They can also come up with completely unique designs to go in other directions. Whatever you want to place on your company’s custom mousepad, you can.

Practical Tips for Businesses Using Branded Mouse Pads

The Washington Post states that ergonomics is a big part of making desk jobs less painful, literally, and mousepads are a part of that process. Consider making your mousepad even more useful with comfort designed right into the product. Here are some other tips from Save Your Ink.

Design with Care

Design your mousepad with just the right colors and message so your brand is consistent and attractive. If the mousepad doesn’t look appealing, customers aren’t likely to use it.

Consider the Costs

Your budget is of utmost importance. Make sure you have the budget in place and follow through by ordering bulk mousepads you can afford.

Have a Purpose

The purpose behind your promotional item will help you move forward with distributing them once they come in. Do you want them in customers’ hands? In other offices? Hand them out according to that purpose.

In conclusion

Branded mouse pads are a unique item to help you get your company’s name out and help it remain in front of customers’ eyes often. Mousepads have come a long way from functional items to pieces that are ergonomic, practical, and aesthetic. They may not be required, but they are still often utilized, even with laser mice, for better precision. Consider customized mousepads with your logo to brand and advertise your image in the workplace and community.