Every Drink Is a Brand Impression
A coaster is one of the few promotional items that is used at the exact moment attention is relaxed and repeated — someone sets a drink down, picks it up, and sets it down again, dozens of times a day, and the logo under the glass is in view for all of it. In a cafe, bar, restaurant or hotel, every table becomes a branding surface, and unlike a flyer that is read once and binned, a coaster stays in use for months. That is why branded coasters deliver a low cost per impression, and why hospitality venues and event teams keep ordering them. The catch is that a flimsy or badly printed coaster that curls or stains sends the wrong signal, so the material and the print method have to match the setting.
Deluxe Printing produces coasters across cork, bamboo, hardboard and silicone, and matches the decoration to the material: full-colour print on hardboard for photographic and colourful designs, laser engraving on cork and bamboo for a natural permanent mark, and moulded branding on silicone for wet, heavy-use settings. As a custom coaster maker working in-house at our Al Qusais facility, we provide a proof before production so the logo, colour and placement are approved on the chosen material first — which matters because the same logo looks very different engraved into cork than printed on a gloss hardboard top.
Matching the Material to the Setting
Material is the first decision and it sorts by use and look. Cork is the affordable, eco, everyday coaster for cafes and homes. Bamboo is the premium natural upgrade for upmarket venues and gifting. Hardboard is the full-colour photographic surface for colourful branding and high-volume promotional runs. Silicone is the waterproof, non-slip workhorse for bars and heavy daily use. The rule of thumb: choose hardboard when the design is colourful or photographic, cork or bamboo when a natural engraved look fits the brand, and silicone when the coaster has to survive a wet, busy bar. Getting the material right matters more than any single feature because it sets both the look and how long the coaster lasts.
Coaster Materials Compared
| Material |
Look & feel |
Best for |
Branding |
| Cork |
Natural, soft, eco, casual |
Cafes, homes, eco branding |
Laser engraving or print |
| Bamboo |
Warm, premium, natural grain |
Upmarket venues, premium gifting |
Laser engraving |
| Hardboard |
Smooth, high-gloss, printable |
Colour/photo designs, high volume |
Full-colour print |
| Silicone |
Soft, flexible, waterproof |
Bars, wet areas, heavy daily use |
Moulded / debossed |
Read the table from the setting, not the material. A busy bar wants silicone; a boutique cafe with a colour logo wants hardboard or engraved cork; a corporate gift set wants bamboo or hardboard in a presentation box. Each material can be printed or engraved with a logo, artwork or photograph, and double-sided branding — a logo on top and a QR code or tagline underneath — is a common choice for events.
Sizes, Shapes and Coaster Sets
Coasters come in a standard 9 cm square or a 10 cm round, with custom shapes cut to a logo or brief where a standard shape does not fit. For gifting and retail, coasters are supplied as a custom coaster set — commonly packs of four or six — with holder or gift-box options that turn a functional item into a presentable gift. For hospitality, coasters are usually ordered loose in bulk for daily table use. A vector logo file gives the sharpest result, especially on smaller round coasters where fine detail has less room.
Who Orders Custom Coasters in Dubai
Hospitality venues are the core buyers — cafes, coffee shops, bars, restaurants and hotels branding their tables, where a coaster under every drink is constant, low-cost brand exposure. Corporate and marketing teams order coasters for offices and coworking spaces, and for trade shows and exhibitions at venues such as DWTC and ADNEC, where a branded coaster with a QR code is a giveaway that gets used rather than pocketed. HR teams include them in welcome kits and desk sets. Individuals and event planners order personalised coaster sets for weddings, home bars and gifts, often as photo coasters. Order sizes run from small gift sets to large hospitality bulk runs.
Production, Proofing and UAE Coverage
Coasters are printed, engraved and finished in-house at our Al Qusais facility, and a proof is provided before production so the design, colour and placement are approved on the chosen material first. Delivery covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, with venue drop-off available for exhibitions and events.
