About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

This is a neat way to commemorate a special occasion. I chose a photo of me with a special buck, the first one I took after Dad's passing. I dedicated it to him, and it hangs above my fireplace.

Photo print quality is excellent, even on a Drymate mat. I specifically chose a mat instead of the aluminum panel (which is probably more practical) so I could see just how it would look, and I picked a large size for the same reason.


The results are quite impressive.

Now my only problem is how to hang it on the wall, because I can't bring myself to dirty it up by cleaning guns on it.



Pros

• Very good photo print quality.
• The ordering process was not difficult, and Drymate staff helped.
• I couldn't rotate the custom text, I complained (email) after ordering and they rotated it for me.

Cons

• Some sizes don't fit photos in portrait orientation, so I had to rotate my photo and re-upload it.
• You can't rotate text, so I had to put the text on sideways (they later rotated it).

Description

• Custom photo printing on mouse pads, aluminum plates, or Drymate mats (like their gun cleaning mats).
• Photo print quality is excellent and shows some things I'd never noticed before.
• It's a photo of me and a buck, and I can see a cut on my finger and some dirt on his nose which I'd never noticed before.
• Order online at Drymate's website. Select product and size, upload photo, add text if you wish, and purchase.
• My dilemma is what to do with this beautiful mat now that I have it. It's too nice to use for gun cleaning.

• Make sure you use a high-resolution photo; otherwise, the results could be disappointing.
• My mat is 16" by 20" (actual dimensions are slightly smaller).
• Makes a great photo souvenir of a special time.

Guide Review - Drymate Memories Mat Personalized Photo Panel

I've been using Drymate gun cleaning pads for a while now, and I like 'em. And I was intrigued when I found out they were offering the option to print a custom photo on one, so I gave it a try. The results are quite impressive.

You may choose to print your photo on a mouse pad, aluminum panel, or one of Drymate's absorbent pads, which happen to be great for gun cleaning.

I ordered a large size (16" x 20") of the "Memories mat," mainly because I wanted to see how well the photo printed at large scale, and how well the absorbent material took the printing. I was very pleasantly impressed. Print quality is excellent, and though I've toted it in my truck a lot, showing it off to friends, it still looks great.

I had to upload a photo that I'd rotated in a photo editor, because the ordering site doesn't allow rotation of photos - and some sizes, when ordering, don't allow for portrait orientation. Similarly, when I added text, I couldn't rotate the text. After completing my order, I sent an email complaining about that, and the Drymate folks rotated my text before printing.

My only problem now is what to do with it, since I refuse to soil it with gun solvents and fouling, but it's not the easiest thing to hang on a wall, either. Maybe I'll tack it up in my hunt camp. No matter what, it's a good quality print job on a good quality mat, and would make a great gift for any hunter, when coupled with one of their favorite hunting photos.

- Russ Chastain



Disclosure: A review sample was provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.