Ted Lasso Believe Sign Non-Slip Pad for Cutting Board

The anti-slip friction mat is crafted to be placed under a cutting board to prevent it from slipping during use, providing stability while chopping or preparing food. It’s also designed to serve as a decorative kitchen accent, drawing inspiration from the positive and motivational sign featured in the Apple TV show Ted Lasso.

The base of the mat is made from unfinished wood. The laser-engraved design adds a layer of customization while maintaining the mat’s functional purpose. The mat’s thickness is moderate—thin enough not to be bulky but substantial enough to hold its form under the cutting board.

The mat prominently features the word “BELIEVE” in a style reminiscent of the hand-drawn sign from Ted Lasso. The engraving is bold and clear, done with help from Glowforge laser printer. The engraved area provides a slight texture to the mat, giving it a distinct look and tactile feel.

To prevent the cutting board from sliding, the underside of the decorative mat is equipped with Scotch friction pads. These pads are small, adhesive-backed rubber grips that provide superior friction between the mat and the countertop.

The friction pads are placed at key points— the four corners of the front facing side and covering the entirety of the back to ensure the mat stays firmly in place, even when force is applied while using the cutting board.

The mat is about the size of a standard small cutting board ensuring it dprovides ample coverage to prevent slippage. This version is 12 inches by 8 inches, but it could be customized to match specific cutting board dimensions.

While “BELIEVE” is the primary design, there is room for further customization, such as adding other inspiring words or personalizing it with a name, date, or family quote.

This decorative mat brings both practicality and motivation to the kitchen, inspired by Ted Lasso’s optimistic message. The friction pads from Scotch ensure that the cutting board remains stable, while the laser engraving adds a touch of personality and charm.

Glowforge Laser Printer

Glowforge® Proofgrade™ Medium Unfinished Draftboard, 12" x 20"

2 x Scotch Anti-Skid 2-Pack 4 In X 6 In Brown Plastic Gripper Pads

1 x Scotch Anti-Skid 2-Pack 4 In X 6 In Black Plastic Gripper Pads

Start by logging into the Glowforge web app through your browser. This app is where all design work is done and connects directly to your Glowforge laser cutter.

Once logged in, click Create in the dashboard to start a new design. You can choose to design from scratch or upload a pre-existing file if you have one, I chose to design the board from scratch.

Glowforge Premium allows you to create basic shapes (like circles, squares, and stars) directly within the app. Simply click on the square shape tool in the top bar and adjust it to 8" x 12" dimensions. Add a textbox to the middle of your square and use a handwriting font of your choice to write BELIEVE. Then rotate the text ensuring that all parts are within the square. Using the layer functions, first set it to engrave the text, then to cut out the square.

Choose the unfinished board from Glowforge’s material settings. Selecting the correct material allows the app to automatically adjust the power, speed, and focus settings. Use the onboard camera to preview the positioning of your design directly on your material within the Glowforge machine. You can drag or rotate the design as needed to ensure optimal placement.

Once satisfied with your design, click Print. The app will send the instructions to your Glowforge machine. The Glowforge calculates the estimated time for completion, and after that, it begins the cutting or engraving process. Wait the allotted time, keeping an eye on the process to ensure proper ventilation and function of the laser printer. After the job completes, carefully remove your material, remove the adhered protective layer on both sides and clean off any residue.

1. Prepare the Surface of the Board

Before applying the pads, clean the underside of the 8x12 board with a cloth to remove any dust, dirt, or grease. This ensures the adhesive on the pads sticks firmly. Make sure the surface is completely dry before moving to the next step.

2. Plan the Placement of the Pads

Since the board is 8 inches wide and the pads are 4 inches wide, you can place one pad in each corner of the board ensuring that each of them is supported. If you want precision, lightly mark the areas where the pads will be placed using a pencil or painter’s tape. This helps ensure symmetrical placement of the pads.

3. Peel and Stick the Pads

Carefully peel off the protective backing from one of the Scotch pads to expose the adhesive surface. Align the pad with your marked area, press it down firmly, and smooth it out, ensuring the entire surface of the pad adheres to the board. Follow the same process for the remaining pads. Once the pads are applied, press down on each for a few seconds to ensure maximum adhesion.

4. Test for Stability

After applying the pads, place the board on a flat surface and check for stability. The Scotch anti-friction pads should now provide enough grip to prevent the board from sliding during use.

1. Prepare the Surface of the Board

Ensure the engrave side of your 8x12 board is clean and dry, just as you would in the primary method. This will allow the adhesive to bond well.

2. Trim Plan the Placement of the Pads

Using a utility knife, carefully cut the two 4x6-inch pads into thiner strips that look like strips of tape. Mine were 1 inch wide and varying lengths. Now that you have four tape like pads, you can position one pad near each corner of the board. This layout ensures that the weight of the board is distributed evenly, providing maximum stability, and also decorating board to look more like the actual sign.

3. Peel and Stick the Pads

Start by peel off the backing from one of the pads. Position the pad in one of the marked corner spots, press it down firmly, and smooth it out. Repeat this process for the remaining three pads in each of the other corners. After placing all four pads, press down on each for a few seconds to ensure the adhesive sticks well to the board.

4. Test for Stability

Once the pads are attached, place the board on a flat surface and gently push or use the board to check for slippage. The friction pads should provide enough grip to prevent sliding, and the corner placement will give even weight distribution.

The first significant lesson came from working with digital modeling tools to design the mat. Using software like Glowforge’s design app allowed me to explore various design concepts digitally before committing to physical production. I experimented with different shapes, layouts, and text placements to ensure that the final product was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. One of the most interesting aspects of this step was learning how to manipulate layers within the design, where I could specify which parts of the mat that would be engraved versus cut or scored.

The most important lesson I learned in this design project was the importance of adaptability, particularly when receiving feedback and criticism. Initially, the project was focused on creating a simple non-slip cutting board. I was excited about the concept and began working on the design and functionality. However, after conducting design interviews and receiving feedback from friends, I quickly realized that my initial concept had some flaws. The cutting board itself didn’t stand out enough, and there were concerns about practicality and added value.

Instead of sticking to my original idea, I decided to pivot based on this feedback. This is when the concept of a decorative anti-slip mat was born. The idea was to address the criticism directly by designing a product that enhances the cutting board’s functionality, rather than being the cutting board itself. The idea of laser-engraving the word “BELIEVE” onto the mat added personalization and allowed me to incorporate a motivational element from Ted Lasso, which resonated with me and the interview participants, making the design more meaningful.