Custom Paper Coasters
A coaster sits under a drink for as long as somebody is drinking it. That is twenty minutes of attention on a table, in a bar, right in front of a captive audience with nothing else to look at. Very little print gets that kind of dwell time for that little money. We produce a lot of paper coaster work at ZEE Packaging and the absorbency spec is where the quality actually lives.
Twenty Minutes On A Table
A paper coaster holds attention longer than most print.
- It sits in front of somebody for the length of a drink
- People pick them up, turn them over and read the back
- Bars and venues get repeat exposure across every session
- They travel home in pockets more often than you would think
- Photographs of drinks include them constantly
- The cost per impression is remarkably low
Most venues ordering a paper coaster find customers take them as souvenirs.
Absorbency Is The Whole Point
A coaster that does not absorb is just a printed card.
- Pulpboard absorbs condensation properly, unlike coated stock
- Higher gsm means more absorption capacity
- A laminated coaster repels water rather than soaking it
- Absorbed moisture must not cause the print to run
- The coaster should not stick to the bottom of a glass
- Edge quality matters, since wet edges fray on cheap board
- Round coaster the classic paper coaster shape
- Square format a more modern look on a table
- Die cut shape following a logo or an outline
- Rounded square softer edges, popular in bars
- Rectangular for a wider printed message
- Extra thick pulpboard a more substantial feel
Sizes We Print Regular
Every paper coaster is built to your use, though these run often:
- 3.5" round for the standard bar coaster
- 4" round for a larger format
- 3.5" square for a modern look
- 4" x 4" square for wider artwork
- 3" round for a compact size
- Custom shapes cut to your outline
Stock And Print
- 1mm pulpboard for a standard coaster
- 1.4mm for a more substantial feel
- 2mm for a genuinely premium weight
- Full color print on one or both sides
- Uncoated by nature, since absorbency is the point
- Embossed edge detailing where you want a finishing touch
Print both sides where budget allows. People turn coasters over constantly, and a blank reverse wastes the surface somebody is already looking at.
Materials We Would Recommend
- Recycled pulpboard, standard across most grades
- FSC certified paper, certificate available on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
- Fully compostable, since there is no coating involved
- No lamination, which keeps absorbency and recyclability both
- Right sizing so no board is wasted per unit
How An Order Runs Through
- 100 unit minimum, so a single venue can order properly
- Free proof before anything prints
- Free artwork setup by our own designer
- Physical sample on request to test absorbency
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide with nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Which thickness should we choose?
1mm for everyday use, 1.4mm where you want a better feel. 2mm reads genuinely premium and costs a little more.
Will the print run when wet?
Not with the right ink. Running happens on cheap board with unsuitable ink, which is avoidable at spec stage.
How much does a paper coaster cost?
Rough estimate is $0.04 to $0.12 per unit on 1mm board, $0.07 to $0.18 on 1.4mm and $0.12 to $0.28 on 2mm at moderate quantity. Volume moves it. Shipping is included in our price. This is estimate only, so ask our team for a exact quote.
Can they be laminated?
They can, though it defeats the purpose. A laminated coaster repels condensation rather than absorbing it.
Should we print both sides?
We would say yes. People turn coasters over while drinking, so a blank back is a wasted surface.
Can you do a custom shape?
Yes, following a logo or an outline. There is a small one off tooling cost for the die.
Are they compostable?
Fully, since uncoated pulpboard has no film or plastic in it at all.
