Glossy custom mousepads can mess with your mouse sensor.

Yes. A glossy, reflective surface is asking for trouble with most optical mice.

Optical sensors work by taking rapid images of the surface beneath them and comparing them to track movement. They need consistent texture and diffuse reflection. Shiny, glossy prints create hot spots and uneven light bounce, so the sensor gets confused. You end up with cursor jitter, random acceleration, or the pointer just stops moving on certain colors or patterns.

Some high-end gaming mice handle glossy surfaces better than others, but it’s a gamble. If you’re ordering a custom pad, stick with a matte finish or a fabric top. Those glossy “photo” style prints look great but are terrible for actual use.

Not all glossy pads are unusable, but you’re rolling the dice. If you actually need consistent tracking, don’t.