CURIOUS ABOUT THE PRODUCTS WE USE WHILE CRAFTING OUR DOORMATS AT KREATIVE?
​LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT BELOW!

we have tested & trialed MANY different materials when it comes to painting doormats.  below, you will find brief descriptions of our favourite methods & materials, for a perfect finished product every time!

​looking to shop our doormats or diy kits?

the doormats

the doormats we are accustomed to using at kreative are called coir or 'coco' mats.  these mats are made up of a natural fibre that is extracted from the outer husk of a coconut.  the fibres are then pressed into a thick, durable layer of black vinyl backer, which helps the mat stay in place & protects the surface you put your mat on from moisture.

the paint

while there are many types of paint that would work for this, we are very specific in what kind of paint we like to use.  we prefer to use TREMCLAD® Oil Based Rust Paint.  the reason behind our choice being that it is an extremely durable, long lasting outdoor paint, that stands the test of time with all the boots, shoes & paws that walk across your doormat on a daily basis!

the brush

when painting our doormats, we use a 1" stiff bristle brush, specifically for oil based paints.  the stiff bristles allow us to mesh the brush with the doormat for maximum paint coverage & depth.

the stencil

when creating our stencils, we found that a high tac vinyl worked the best for keeping the stencil as tight to the doormat as possible, even with the rough texture that is the surface of the mat.  by keeping the stencil nice & tight to the mat, this gives you the cleanest edge while painting your design on.  we like to roll our stencils down with a rolling pin to ensure they are good & stuck.

the tape

we use a low adhesive 1" wide painters tape, to transfer our stencil from the paper backer to the doormat.  we prefer the Painters Mate Green.  we find that the low adhesive of the tape assists in keeping the stencil together when transferring, but also for easy removal once you have placed the stencil.

​the process

to view the entire process of doormat painting, you can view our how-to video on IGTV,  but for a brief explanation, we paint our mats very vigorously to ensure the paint gets far down in the bristles which helps the mats last longer!  thicker printed designs do last longer, however we put the same effort into applying paint in every single mat we produce!

CLEAR COAT

for our thinner designs, we apply a layer of clear coat over top once they are dry to help them last over time, since they are not as resilient.  we prefer the
RUST-OLEUM® Painter's Touch Satin Clear. clear coat is optional to add to any design, for a small additional cost.  this helps repel water & keep the crisp edges & colour of the graphic in tact. 

BEST PRACTICES FOR KREATIVE MATS

INDOOR/OUTDOOR

while our doormats are designed to withstand Mother Nature  & can be kept outdoors, they last best being kept under a roof outside (covered porch, overhang) or just inside an exterior door.

placement

your doormat will last best somewhere where it can be set up.  such as concrete, a patio, a deck, porch, etc, rather than being set on dirt or gravel.  

swapping out your mats regularly

if you keep a few mats at home, to switch up your greeting, you will be able to keep your mats for much longer.  who doesn't love switching their mats out with the seasons?

cleaning your mat

for the most part all your mats will need for cleaning is a good shake/beating like any other rug.  if it got really dirty, you could rinse it out with a hose or pressure washer (from a safe distance).

high traffic doormat

for our doormats that are going to be placed in higher traffic areas, such as businesses or houses that have a lot of coming/going, we recommend adding clear coat to your mat, request this while placing your order.

while painting your diy kit

don't be afraid to be aggressive while painting your doormat.  you really want to get the paint down in the bristles of your mat, so make sure to apply pressure when pushing your brush down.

if you painted your own mat as a diy kit

MAKE SURE you let your doormat dry for 7 days, in a warm, well ventilated area!  if you do not let your mat cure completely, it can transfer paint to the bottom of your shoes & get on the mat as well as your floor/deck/concrete around it.

check out some of the doormats we have painted over the years