Hey folks, just a heads up that my xwing kickstarter is live.
Yet another xwing Kickstarter.
Hmm will have a word with friends you can never have too many mats.
Don't forget about the Armada that is coming out. Make your product useful for multiple systems such as attack wing and so on.
Glentopher - I appreciate there are other options out there. No harm in offering more choice though. Pledges are coming in, so it seems there are people out there who like my designs.
Marinealver - I'm not sure of the size required with attack wing or armada?
Nothing is strictly needed, though. I appreciate having some options, definitely.
It's not really about profit to be honest. The products are priced as cheaply as I can make them. I think it's a fair price - more expensive than some, cheaper than others, but the mat price includes a small donation to charity as a thank you to stsci for giving me permission to use Hubble images too, along with postage within the uk, so as I say, I think it's reasonable. Do the ones you linked to include postage?
I know there are loads of options out there, but I didn't particularly like any of them, which is why I had these made up initially for my own gaming group. Then I figured others might like them too.
Armada is apparently supposed to be played on a 3x6 mat if I'm not mistaken.
In that case, the 6x3's would be suitable. 
One thing that would peek my interest that I have seen very few do is to offer an image with both starting lines and asteroid placement areas marked (opaque).
I've though about something like that for a stretch goal - I'll see how it goes for now.
The issue with debris clouds is that the debris is generally parts of destroyed ships, and they are copyrighted material. I'll definitely be making some for myself, but I have no wish to anger the mouse by infringing their ip.
They could be done with 'generic sci-fi' parts, but that idea doesn't appeal quite so much as a blown up tie fighter or X wing.
So you painted mcnuggets into asteroids?
Also for the record, you need to get NASA's explicit approval before you can sell images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Their licensing states that the images are free for personal use, selling them in any capacity is a breach in copywrite law. So might want to check on that before they slam you.
(source: I'm a photographer and regularly have to defend my own copywrite.)
I have got permission. It comes from the Space Telescope Science Institute, who administrate it on behalf of NASA. All above board.
I think that it would be helpful if you updated the KS to include more information about the mat material, thickness, etc. It was unclear to me what the surface felt like, etc.
So you painted mcnuggets into asteroids?
No, I sculpted them, made moulds and cast them in resin. I appreciate everyone has different tastes though.
I think that it would be helpful if you updated the KS to include more information about the mat material, thickness, etc. It was unclear to me what the surface felt like, etc.
I'll look at adding that. The mats are about the thickness of a credit card, and are made from PVC. the surface is smooth, but has an almost rubbery feel if that makes sense? Not so slippy that minis will slide about too easily.
I have got permission. It comes from the Space Telescope Science Institute, who administrate it on behalf of NASA. All above board.
Cool cool cool. Just wanted to keep you from getting sued! 
Glentopher - I appreciate there are other options out there. No harm in offering more choice though. Pledges are coming in, so it seems there are people out there who like my designs.
Marinealver - I'm not sure of the size required with attack wing or armada?
Just a FYI, use of the FFG forums for financial gain is actually against the TOS...
I didn't realise. I'd seen other kick-starters on here before, so assumed it was OK. If a mod deems it unsuitable and deletes it, then so be it.
I've got plenty of mats, but I'm interested in painted asteroids... do you think you might add a level just for painted asteroids?
You can add £15 to have them painted. They are primed, painted with 3 stages of highlight, then dipped in army painter dip for shading and varnish protection, then given a coat of testors dullcoat.
I appreciate that puts an early bird pledge up to £38, which is undoubtedly fairly expensive for a set of asteroids, but the option is there if you don't want to paint them yourself.
How about looking in to selling magnetised mats and bases to go with?
I have four mag-receptive mats printed and ready to go on eBay - just need a kick up the arse to get the listings up