Thank you all for your suggestions...I think the prize goes to eparys suggestion to turn the mat over. I liked the idea of 'connecting the marks to make a picture'---alas, it would then look like a forest of trees. I just remembered! I have a small tube of ink spot remover for clothing somewhere--haven't seen it for a while, but it must be hiding in the laundry rm. Cross my fingers,...and toes.....and eyes.