Which Coaster Paper Stock Should You Choose?

If you want to print custom beverage coasters for your bar, restaurant, business, event or home bar, you’re probably excited about coming up with a custom design that best reflects your brand or personality. However, be careful not to overlook the importance of your coaster paper stock, which not only has a direct impact on its overall look but on how well your custom artwork prints. The following will help you decide which coaster paper stock to use.

How coasters are made

Before you can decide which coaster paper stock to use, it’s helpful to understand how coasters – three-layered coasters, in this case – are made. Essentially, you decide whether to print circle or square rounded-corner coasters, then apply your design to the corresponding coaster template. You can choose your paper stock – either kraft brown or ultra white, and a core color stock, which is sandwiched between outside layers of your paper stock. Your core stock color can be white, black, red, green, blue or orange – whatever matches your brand, personality or exterior design best. Your choice of exterior paper stock is not impacted by your core color. Once you’ve made your selections, your coasters are printed and shipped to you.

Kraft brown vs. ultra white

The big decision comes down to kraft brown paper stock vs. ultra white paper stock. Kraft brown paper features a recycled look and a unique textured feel. It’s best-suited for solid color designs, such as monogrammed initials and logos. Ultra white paper, on the other hand, features an egg shell texture and a bright, attention-getting finish. It’s best-suited for photographs and full-color images. You can even cover the entire paper with color, so that it doesn’t look white.

Which coaster printing stock should you choose?

Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences, brand image and the artwork you want to use on your coasters. Kraft brown and ultra white are both excellent choices, and you preference of paper stock might dictate your design. Or, you might have your heart set on a specific type of artwork and select your coaster paper stock based on that. Armed with the information provided here, at least you can make a decision that leads to beautiful coasters you’ll be proud to serve drinks on.