Breweries and pubs around the world depend on their beer coasters. Not only do these little pieces of paper add a touch of unique branding to any establishment’s décor, Beer Coasters Printing help advertise to guests and customers.
For this reason, it’s important for businesses to choose high-quality beer coasters that do their brand justice. But how?
The process of printing beer coasters can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry–it’s simpler than you think!
We’ll take you through each step, from designing your beer coaster to getting them delivered to your door.
Designing Your Coaster
First things first, you’ll need to come up with a design for your beer coaster. You can do this in-house using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, or you can hire a professional graphic designer who specializes in print design.
Some might be tempted to use `easier’ programs such as Word or PowerPoint, but we highly advise against this. These programs are not designed for commercial printing, and the results will likely be unsatisfactory–especially when it comes to color accuracy.
And whilst Canva is a good alrounder – unless you know what you’re doing it’s best to stay away from the print side of this app.
Selecting Your Printer for Drink Coasters
Choosing a printer can be one of the most difficult and time-consuming steps in the beer coaster printing process. You’ll want to find a reputable local, national, or international printing company that offers custom solutions and has experience with beer coasters.
When selecting your printer, make sure to ask about turnaround times, delivery costs, discounts, and other services. Be sure to get a quote before committing to the project.
Pre-Press
Once you’ve selected your printer, they will begin the pre-press process. This includes verifying that all artwork is up to quality standards and ensuring that all colours are properly set for printing.
The pre-press team will also check for any potential printing issues that might occur, such as colour shifts or registration and trapping problems.
From here any decent printing services supplier will send you an online proof. This is generally emailed to you, and you should check it against the artwork specified for printing.
Drink Coasters Printing
Now comes the fun part–the actual printing process!
Depending on your printer, this could involve offset lithography or digital presses.
Your printer will also use specific inks and substrates for beer coasters to ensure maximum durability and quality.
Offset Drink Coaster Printing
Offset lithography is one of the most common methods used to print beer coasters. It is a printing method that uses a specialized press in order to apply ink directly onto paper, and involves several different steps.
First, an image (digital or physical) is placed on the plate cylinder, which then transfers the image onto a rubber blanket. The blanket then transfers the image onto a sheet of paper.
This is repeated until all the coasters are printed, and it can be done relatively quickly and efficiently. It’s also one of the most cost-effective ways to print beer coasters.
Digital Beer Coaster Printing
Digital printing has become increasingly popular over the last few years as technology has advanced.
It is a great option for low-volume orders as it eliminates the need for plates and setup costs, so the cost per item can be lower than with offset lithography.
The process involves feeding paper into the digital press and then using digital files to create a Full Colour image that is transferred onto the paper via inkjet or laser printing technology.
This method is often used to produce high-quality prints with vibrant colors and sharp images.
Finishing
Once the beer coasters are printed, they will move on to the finishing stage.
This includes cutting, folding, laminating, and die-cutting as needed. Your printer may also offer additional finishing options such as spot varnish or embossing/debossing for an extra special touch.
Most Custom Printed Drink Coasters are not laminated in the production process. The most common finishing feature with printed coasters is diecutting (cutting your coasters into specific shapes)
Delivery
The last step in the beer coaster printing process is delivery. Most printers offer various shipping options, including ground, air, and international shipping.
Talk to your printer about the best delivery option for your project.
And dont worry – all Delivery Companies are crap ! Its just a matter of finding the best of a bad bunch. If you know one you like, and has a good driver in your area (normally his/her `territory’) see if you can get it delivered by your preferred business.
And there you have it–the complete beer coaster printing process! From artwork to delivery, your printer will make sure that everything goes smoothly. With the right printer, you’ll have beautiful beer coasters in no time!
Hang On – What Makes a Quality Beer Coaster?
While the printing process can be complex, there are a few key factors that go into producing high-quality beer coasters. Here are some tips for creating great looking coasters:
- Use durable substrates and inks that can stand up to heavy use
- Make sure artwork is properly set up for printing
- Use of Quality, sustainably sourced stock
- Choose finishing options that will help protect the coasters from spills or wear
- Consider special finishes such as embossing or spot varnish
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create beer coasters that look amazing and last for a long time. And with the right printer, you can trust that your beer coasters will be printed to perfection and delivered on time.
Whether you need simple beer coasters or more elaborate designs, go the extra mile to find a printer who is experienced in beer coaster printing is the best resource for helping you create beautiful printed pieces. If the do Custom designs, even better !
With their help, you’ll have great looking beer coasters in no time!
