Gaming Paper, Affordable Map Paper

Last week I heard about a new product called Gaming Paper.  Gaming Paper is a 30" by 12' roll of 1-inch grid paper that is perfect for making maps for table top games and costs only $4.  Running my weekly RPGA adventures, I have been borrowing a reusable mat from one of the players.  But, the ability to get an affordable roll of paper designed to be disposable just seemed too good to pass up.  The thought of being able to draw nice maps and keep them if they're nice, or just toss them when I'm done, makes me very happy.

So Friday I placed an order, and on Monday a tube arrived with 2 rolls of the paper.  Already, I was impressed because of the speedy delivery.  There were a few things I noted right away as I opened the plastic wrapping.  Firstly, and not surprisingly, the paper has a half inch border around the closest whole squares, so your 30" paper is only 29 squares wide.  That's not a big deal, and frankly something I expected but I want to expressly state that for anyone that might be expecting 30 squares wide.

Another thing I noticed was that contact between my hand and the paper caused a discoloration of the paper.  This was even as specific as fingerprints and was a noticeable, darker yellow-brown.  My hands were clean and this only seemed to happen with extended contact and pressure, such as holding the roll to remove the plastic, or leaning on it to draw.  With a little care this can be avoided.  One thing I hope, though, is that with age the whole thing will turn this color because, honestly, I really like the color it turns.  It gives the map a really nice antique paper look that would be great for saving maps.

Overall, I found drawing a set of maps for my encounters tonight a pleasant experience.  Me being me, however, I spent a couple hours more than I had anticipated on my maps.  These first ones are definitely keepers!

Ruff D&D