Abstract: An anti-fatigue mat is made by placing a top surface layer member upside down on a mold surface having a contiguous raised portion that defines the perimeter of the anti-fatigue mat. The raised portion surrounds a region into which a major portion of the surface layer sits, resulting in a depression formed relative to the height of the raised portion in the area surrounded by the raised portion. A frame member fit around the raised portion and holds the top surface layer member in place. A gel material is dispensed onto the back side, which is facing upward in the mold, of the top surface layer member. A substrate material is then dispensed onto the gel material and a press head is lowered onto the mold to apply pressure and heat. After the press head is removed, the rough mat can be removed and trimmed to form an anti-fatigue mat.