I bought the 34.5 x 48 Chessex vinyl battlemat from Paizo. It came rolled and squashed. When I lay it out on a table, the surface of the mat forms hills and valleys that cause miniatures to tip over and stop dice from rolling. These aren't creases; they're rolling folds.

I tried gently folding back along the folds. No good. I tried ironing the battlement under a towel. I produced a unique odor that my wife didn't love but failed to flatten the rolls even a smidge. I've now got the battlemat stretched flat on the floor with each corner held down by a six-inch stack of gaming books. No progress yet. Maybe by the year 2050.

Any advice on how to flatten this thing down? And what's the best way to roll it for transport to gaming sessions?

I bought the 34.5 x 48 Chessex vinyl battlemat from Paizo. It came rolled and squashed. When I lay it out on a table, the surface of the mat forms hills and valleys that cause miniatures to tip over and stop dice from rolling. These aren't creases; they're rolling folds.

I tried gently folding back along the folds. No good. I tried ironing the battlement under a towel. I produced a unique odor that my wife didn't love but failed to flatten the rolls even a smidge. I've now got the battlemat stretched flat on the floor with each corner held down by a six-inch stack of gaming books. No progress yet. Maybe by the year 2050.

Any advice on how to flatten this thing down? And what's the best way to roll it for transport to gaming sessions?

In a hurry I've poured hot water over it on the patio which did a tremendous job. But again, mine is REALLY old.

Whatever you do, do not use dry erase markers on this! I picked up the wrong marker by accident and now mine has a huge ugly green boat drawn on the square side. My friends laugh at me each time I use it. Dry erase markers do not come off by any solvent I could get my hands on commerically. But I really loved it until I ruined it.

Whatever you do, do not use dry erase markers on this! I picked up the wrong marker by accident and now mine has a huge ugly green boat drawn on the square side. My friends laugh at me each time I use it. Dry erase markers do not come off by any solvent I could get my hands on commerically. But I really loved it until I ruined it.

Whatever you do, do not use dry erase markers on this! I picked up the wrong marker by accident and now mine has a huge ugly green boat drawn on the square side. My friends laugh at me each time I use it. Dry erase markers do not come off by any solvent I could get my hands on commerically. But I really loved it until I ruined it.

I had a player use a blue dry erase marker on my mat, and this trick worked great. There is not any sign of the dry erase remaining.

I had a player use a blue dry erase marker on my mat, and this trick worked great. There is not any sign of the dry erase remaining.

We just fluffed and drew a big blue river across the length of o battlemat last night. I'm here to buy another one, but in the meantime I will certainly try Keraptis' advice and if that doesn't work... what kind of abrasive cleaner do you recommend Lilith?

Lay it on a flat surface, & GENTLY work it with a hair dryer. Works like a charm. Had mine laying perfectly flat in a half an hour. After that hot water trick will work fine. Transport on 3"-4" roller. Never fold. On 2nd mat after 22 years. 1st one still great.

I bought the 34.5 x 48 Chessex vinyl battlemat from Paizo. It came rolled and squashed. When I lay it out on a table, the surface of the mat forms hills and valleys that cause miniatures to tip over and stop dice from rolling. These aren't creases; they're rolling folds.

I tried gently folding back along the folds. No good. I tried ironing the battlement under a towel. I produced a unique odor that my wife didn't love but failed to flatten the rolls even a smidge. I've now got the battlemat stretched flat on the floor with each corner held down by a six-inch stack of gaming books. No progress yet. Maybe by the year 2050.

Any advice on how to flatten this thing down? And what's the best way to roll it for transport to gaming sessions?

We just fluffed and drew a big blue river across the length of o battlemat last night. I'm here to buy another one, but in the meantime I will certainly try Keraptis' advice and if that doesn't work... what kind of abrasive cleaner do you recommend Lilith?

For gamers who don't have one of these - they are absolutely awesome. In addition to using markers and tokens, the mat can also be laid down as general terrain area under 3 dimension buildings or bridges, trees, etc. War torn worlds makes some good rocks, and walls that work nicely in tandem with the mat.

Taking care of the mat is essential, but once you're in the habit of doing so, the particular size of this mat is nice beneath PAIZO flip-mats to add a little extra area, so players do not feel constrained during battles to make use of the whole area. Enjoy.

I've used mine for the past 5 years and it is as good as new. Just be sure to clean and store it when not in use.
-Pax

Ian Hewitt wrote:

We just fluffed and drew a big blue river across the length of o battlemat last night. I'm here to buy another one, but in the meantime I will certainly try Keraptis' advice and if that doesn't work... what kind of abrasive cleaner do you recommend Lilith?

I would use Goof-off. Any hardware store should have it and most K-mart/Wal-mart type places also carry it.
One tiny drop on a paper towel (use rubber gloves) and wipe the marks off. Rinse the area afterwards. The smell is awful so do this outside.
This will remove ANYTHING from ANYTHING!

Fake Healer wrote:

Ian Hewitt wrote:

We just fluffed and drew a big blue river across the length of o battlemat last night. I'm here to buy another one, but in the meantime I will certainly try Keraptis' advice and if that doesn't work... what kind of abrasive cleaner do you recommend Lilith?

I would use Goof-off. Any hardware store should have it and most K-mart/Wal-mart type places also carry it.
One tiny drop on a paper towel (use rubber gloves) and wipe the marks off. Rinse the area afterwards. The smell is awful so do this outside.
This will remove ANYTHING from ANYTHING!

Have you actually tried that? I'd worry that it might also remove the preprinted grid....

Vic Wertz wrote:

Fake Healer wrote:

Ian Hewitt wrote:

We just fluffed and drew a big blue river across the length of o battlemat last night. I'm here to buy another one, but in the meantime I will certainly try Keraptis' advice and if that doesn't work... what kind of abrasive cleaner do you recommend Lilith?

I would use Goof-off. Any hardware store should have it and most K-mart/Wal-mart type places also carry it.
One tiny drop on a paper towel (use rubber gloves) and wipe the marks off. Rinse the area afterwards. The smell is awful so do this outside.
This will remove ANYTHING from ANYTHING!

Have you actually tried that? I'd worry that it might also remove the preprinted grid....

I've done it several times and it hasn't done anything bad to the mats I've done it on yet. Like I said though just a little dab on a paper towel does the job. I actually spilled a good amount on one before also and was very nervous but the worst thing that happened was that the mat stunk bad for a couple days from the goof off.