Door mats are essential for any business: they keep your floors clean, your entryways safe from slipping, and your brand front and center. But if you’re reading this article, you might be a little stumped on which mat is right for your needs — And that’s where we come in! At JPT, we’ve put together this easy guide to help you find your perfect mat(ch) among some of our most popular mat options.

Before jumping in, there are two crucial factors you need to consider about your mat:

1. Placement (Because Location is Everything)
The first, and possibly most important, step in figuring out which mat is right for you is to consider where it will be placed. Ask yourself:

• Will the mat be indoors or outdoors?
• Will it be covered or in direct contact with outdoor elements?

Like their name suggests, outdoor mats are designed to live outside. From the materials used for both the base and the top of the mat to the inks used for printed colors, they are more resilient and do a better job withstanding the elements. Many outdoor mats even use fade-resistant inks (which means more bang for your buck in sunny areas) and materials that help keep dirt from tracking inside.

Indoor mats don’t have to withstand the elements as directly, so they don’t incorporate the same heavy duty materials. However, this allows them to be more aesthetic and softer. If you’re looking for a plush, luxurious, more colorful mat experience, indoor mats are the way to go. (Don’t worry, many indoor mats still provide anti-slip functionality and can withstand foot traffic in your busy areas.)

2. Logos and Imprints
Next, consider what image you want to place on your mat. Does your logo or desired imprint have lots of details or colors? If so, go with an HD or full-color printed mat. Remember, the more durable materials in outdoor mats tend to have fewer color options and stricter imprint guidelines that won’t allow for small details.

In short: Save your detailed mat imprint for an indoor mat, and keep your outdoor mat functional and simple.

Now let’s dive into our recommendations!

Good, Better, Best
These lists are broken down into our “Good, ” “Better,” and “Best” mat recommendations between both indoor/outdoor and outdoor mat categories. All of these mats have our JPT seal of approval, but each will offer slightly different features. Our “Good” recommendations are durable, budget-friendly mats and will get you where you need to go. Our “Better” recommendations will offer durability plus more features, and our “Best” recommendations are our top performers.

Indoor/Outdoor Good - Berber Impressions HD
Berber Impressions HD is a durable mat that can be placed outdoors in a covered area. The fabric contains 85% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and features 56 standard colors printed in high definition.
Try Me If: You want an indoor mat that’s durable, easy to clean, and eco-friendly, but won’t have to face a lot of the elements.

Better - WaterHog Impressions HD®
WaterHog Impressions HD® is a durable mat that can be placed outdoors in a covered area. It features 56 standard colors printed in high definition and absorbs 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. It also scrapes and dries shoes making it perfect for indoor/outdoor mats.
Try Me If: You want the functionality of the Berber Impressions HD mat but live in an area that gets more rain, mud, and snow.

Best - WaterHog® Inlay
WaterHog® Inlay mats are our most durable, longest lasting indoor/outdoor logo mat. It features 19 standard colors inlaid for a hand-made, high-quality look and won’t fade in the sunlight due to its color fastness. This mat also absorbs 1.5 gallons of water per square yard.
Try Me If: You need a mat that can withstand the elements, including direct sunlight.

Pro Tip: In a printed design, colors get applied on top of the mat fibers, so they just sit on the surface. Inlay designs are made with pieces of cutout fabric that

Outdoor
Good - Berber Inlay
Berber Inlay is a durable mat that can be placed outdoors in a covered area. It features 17 standard colors inlaid for a hand-made, high-quality look and won’t fade in the sunlight due to its color fastness.
Try Me If: You want an outdoor mat that’s durable, easy to clean, and can stand up to sunlight.

Better - WaterHog® Inlay
WaterHog® Inlay mats are our most durable, longest lasting outdoor logo mat. It features 19 standard colors inlaid for a hand-made, high-quality look and won’t fade in the sunlight due to its color fastness. It also absorbs 1.5 gallons of water per square yard.
Try Me If: You need a mat that can withstand all the elements and won’t be in a covered area.

Best - SuperScrape™ Impressions
SuperScrape™ Impressions is our most popular outdoor mat. It features 150 standard colors printed in high definition and can even achieve photographic quality imprints. This mat also scrapes shoes making it perfect for the outdoors.
Try Me If: You need a mat that can withstand all the elements, scrapes shoes, and gives your image the most detail possible.

Prepping for Seasonal Weather
Seasonal weather is the ultimate arch nemesis to keeping your facilities clean. Picture it: You’ve had a sunny week and your indoor mats are keeping the floors spotless, but you check the news and see that a cold front is on its way. The next morning you arrive at your building, and surprise — what was spotless last week is now an icy, sludgy mess. How are you supposed to keep up? With reinforcements! We recommend using a three-step matting system as the best way to keep ahead of the forecast.

Step 1: Scraper Mats
Scraper mats live outside your building and act as your first line of defense against dirt, grime and moisture. A great option is SuperScrape™ Impressions, which features surface cleats designed to scrape dirt and grime with a bi-level surface construction that traps dirt below foot level.

Step 2: Scraper/Wiper Mats
Your second line of defense is scraper/wiper mats. Think of these like bouncers at a nightclub. They usually stay right by your doorway indoors or outdoors and catch any dirt and moisture that slipped by your first mat. A great option is WaterHog Impressions HD®, which has a bi-level surface construction to trap dirt below foot level and absorbs 1.5 gallons of water per square yard.

Step 3: Indoor Carpeted Mats
This is the finishing touch! Runner mats extend the walk-off into your building and capture any last dirt, grime and moisture missed at the entryway. We offer multiple great options for carpeted walk-off mats, including DigiPrint™ HD.

Final Thoughts:
With the right door mat or matting system, you can keep your space clean, safe, and stylish year-round. Take the time to consider which features are most important for your branding and environment – But if you still have questions, JPT has you covered (literally). Email our experts for more mat tips, or to level up with anti-fatigue, custom-shaped, and solid color/rolled mats!