A placemat or a Table Mat is a protective table pad usually made of paper, plastic or cloth or a combination of these materials for use in restaurants and households. The term Placemat is derived from the mat being put at a person's "place" (chair) at a table.

Uses
Their primary function is to protect the dinner table from water marks, food stains or heat damage. They also serve as decoration,

especially placemats made from lace or silk, etc. In restaurants they can be used to advertise menu items, specials, and local businesses. They may also have games for children. Although they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the most common ones are rectangular in shape and are about 40 to 45 centimetres (16 to 18 inches) wide and 25 to 30 centimetres (10 to 12 inches) in height

Customization

High end restaurants invariably go for table mats customized with their name, logos etc. It is done by way of computerised embroidery on table mats made from cloth, by way printing in case of PVC/PP or laminated mats and by embossing or foil printing for leather mats. It is common to have exclusively designed Table Mats also. An example of one of the companies specialising in customization of Table Mats can be seen here.

Customization is also done for personal use with pictures of family, pet names, drawings done by children etc. Such mats are usually made at home or as a craft project in schools. They can be rather expensive if purchased from professional manufacturers.

Disposable Table Mats

Re-Usable Table Mats
Reusable Table Mats are made from any of the following materials:

Plastics: Materials like PVC/PP are most common in restaurants. Often they come pre-printed with food related images or floral designs. Manufacturers may offer to customize them if quantities are large enough for production batches. Table mats punched from a PVC sheet give the appearance of lace.

Cloth: Specially woven fabric which may be plain or have woven or printed designs. These fabrics are thicker and have a stiff feel due to the non absorbent protective coatings. They look very elegant and are normally used by higher end restaurants and at homes. Although the initial cost may be comparable due to the plastic or laminated Mats, their maintenance cost is very high as they can be used only once between washes.

Leather: Plain or embossed/foil printed, these mats are usually seen at conventions or meetings in hotels. They allow for easier writing, provide an area to lean comfortably and place objects on the table with minimal noise during proceedings. Leather being a natural material, care has to be taken maintenance and storage. Leather mats are costliest of the variety and are usually produced against orders.