Roll a mousepad surface-inward to avoid creases.

Yes, it matters — roll with the surface facing inward (rubber out).

The rubber base is what develops permanent folds. When you roll surface-outward, the rubber gets compressed on the inside of the roll. That compression, especially if stored tightly or for a long time, can leave a crease that never flattens. Rolling surface-inward puts the rubber on the outside, under gentle tension. Tension is less likely to set a permanent fold than compression. Plus, the fabric surface is protected from dirt and oils.

Don’t overthink it — just roll it loosely and store it flat if you can. But if you must roll, surface-inward is the right call.