To make the light-colored beads stand out so they’re easier to count, some people lay down a lint-free piece of dark cloth, a black cloth potholder, or a dark T-shirt. (Some people find that fabrics that cause static can interfere with bead-counting.) Others use a piece of dark paper with a crease in it, a small tray, or other surface. Whatever surface is used should be smooth enough so that beads don’t get lodged or stuck in any nooks or crannies, but also have enough friction so that beads don’t roll around or off the edges too easily.
Instead of a dark surface, some people prefer to count beads on other kinds of surfaces, such as a paint tray, the ridge of piece of corrugated cardboard, or the ridge of a ruler.