When it comes to effective, budget-friendly marketing tools, custom printed coasters are a seriously underrated gem. or a business looking to get your brand in front of relaxed, captive customers—coasters offer passive, high-impact exposure right where it matters: under the drink.
At Inteliprint, we help businesses turn everyday items into brand-building tools, and coasters are no exception. Printed on durable, recyclable paperboard, our custom coasters are designed to keep your brand top of mind, round after round.
For Pubs, Bars & Hospitality Venues: Brand Every Sip
Coasters in hospitality settings do more than protect tables—they build brand awareness, prompt conversation, and keep your message in plain sight for hours on end.
Reinforce Your Identity
A well-designed coaster printed with your logo, colours, or tagline helps strengthen your brand with every pour. For example, a coastal bar in NSW printed “For when a beer just won’t cut it…” on their coasters with a QR code linking to their cocktail menu. The cheeky line got laughs and plenty of social shares, all while quietly reinforcing the bar’s playful identity.
Promote Specials Or Events
Why not put your next trivia night or Sunday roast deal on a coaster? A mirco-brewery we worked with created a rotating series of coasters, each one teasing a fun beer fact and a sneak peek at their upcoming seasonal release. Customers loved collecting them, and staff said it sparked more conversations (and sales) at the bar.
Encourage Social Shares
When designed well, coasters become part of the social experience. A local pub ran a campaign inviting patrons to “Snap your drink + this coaster, tag us, and win a bar tab.” It was low-effort but high-impact, and led to a noticeable boost in online mentions and tagged stories.
For Other Businesses: Get Into the Right Hands
You don’t need to own a bar to benefit from custom coasters. Any business can tap into the hospitality scene to connect with potential customers.
Co-Brand with Local Venues
Team up with your local pub, bar, or restaurant and share coaster real estate! Speaking of selling houses, here’s a great example! A pizzeria partnered with a local bar, printing coasters that read “Would you like a pizza with that?” and a QR code to their menu so bar patrons could order their pizzas to be delivered to them at the bar.
Promote at Events or Pop-Ups
If you’re running a stall at a market, festival, or corporate event, coasters are a practical, memorable giveaway. A real estate agency recently hosted the afternoon drinks at a recent conference and used branded coasters that read “Looking for a change of scenery?” with a QR code linking to listings. It was a natural conversation starter that stood out among the usual pens and flyers.
Use as Direct Mail Inserts or Gifts
Want to send something more memorable than a flyer? Coasters work beautifully in mail packs or as customer gifts. One online retailer included branded coasters in every delivery with a cheeky thank-you note and discount code—customers not only used them, but shared photos of them online, giving the brand free word-of-mouth exposure.
Custom Coasters for Birthday Parties & Celebrations
Custom printed coasters aren’t just for venues and brands—they’re also a clever and memorable way to add personality to birthdays, anniversaries, and special celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a milestone party at home or booking out your favourite bar, coasters can double as décor, entertainment, and keepsakes.
Celebrate the Guest of Honour
Add a personal touch with the name, age, or a cheeky message about the birthday guest. At a recent 60th, one family printed a “Cheers to Mick - Still Got It at 60!” on each coaster in bold blue, setting the tone for a fun night from the moment guests grabbed a drink.
Add a Photo or Inside Joke
Use a favourite photo of the guest of honour—or even better, an embarrassing throwback—and pair it with a private joke or quote. One 30th birthday featured coasters with a photo of the birthday girl asleep in the front yard after a big night out, and the line “30, flirty, and still falling asleep anywhere”—an instant hit among mates who shared the memory.
Include QR Codes for Photo Albums or Videos
Want to collect memories or share a surprise video? A couple celebrating their silver anniversary printed coasters with “Scan here to leave a message for Chris & Sal”—the QR code linked to a digital guestbook where friends and family uploaded selfies and well wishes on the night. You could also include a QR code that links to a video slideshow of the guest of honour.
Turn Coasters into Take-Home Keepsakes
Because they’re printed on sturdy paperboard and fully customisable, guests are more likely to take them home. At a retirement party, one of our customers had coasters printed with the message “Thanks for the memories, Bill – Enjoy sleeping in!” with a caricature illustration on one side and his top five office quotes on the other. Several ended up framed on desks the next day!
Ready to Get Under the Glass?
Whether you’re pouring drinks, promoting an offer, or just want to get in front of your next customer while they relax, custom printed coasters are a brilliant way to build brand visibility—without the hard sell.
ORDER YOUR COASTERS NOW
Need design support or advice on how to tie your message into a coaster campaign? We’re always happy to help.
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