Surface cover/protector

Rubber is great.

Plastic can´t stand the occasional solder drop and even worse, rare but possible soldering iron contact by accident.

Search for antistatic rubber, which is specially made for electronics lab use.

For a cheap disposable version, large ´piece of thick cardboard, think a fridge packing case or similar will do fine.
Avoid flimsy corrugated paper sold in rolls, moves/folds all over the place, you want somewhat stable surface.
 
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