What Material Are Coasters Made Of & The Best One

Drink coasters are made in a wide range of materials. In fact, many even choose to make their own coasters, using various resources that get a custom look and add protection to tabletops. As providers of customized coasters, we offer our customers the opportunity to have personalized pieces made in materials like:

• Cork
• Wood
• Stone and ceramic
• Felt
• Paper
• Acrylic
• Marble

All are popular, and offer different properties in terms of aesthetics and function. Whether you are making your own coasters, ordering from us, or buying elsewhere, you need to explore which material will work best for you. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most common ones to aid your decision-making.

Cork Coasters

There are several reasons why cork coasters are such a popular choice. They have a natural and earthy aesthetic that complements various decor styles, helping cultivate a warm and inviting ambiance. Porous in nature, the material has a natural absorbency that captures moisture so that spills and condensation never reach your surfaces. What’s more, cork is lightweight and gentle on your surfaces, further reducing the risk of damage. Finally, it is an eco-friendly choice since it is sustainably sourced and biodegradable.

The downsides of cork as a drink coaster material are as follows:

• It can be susceptible to wear and tear with frequent use.
• Staining can occur as liquid permeates the material.
• After cleaning, it can take time to dry as it absorbs moisture.

With regular care, cork coasters can have good durability and strike a pleasing balance between functionality and aesthetics.

Wooden Coasters

Wooden coasters have a timeless look and summon the appeal of organic materials for any setting. They are sturdy and durable, and there are many wooden coaster design ideas to explore. With different varieties of wood, you have many options to get the look and feel you want. Wood is also naturally absorbent, helping it protect your surfaces, but you will want to clean and dry it to ensure it isn’t stained.

The cons that prevent wood from being the best material for coasters for many include:

• Susceptibility to water damage if not properly sealed.
• Maintenance is required to preserve their elegant appearance.
• They are susceptible to warping in some circumstances.

Despite these minor concerns, the warmth and elegance of wooden coasters are a big positive for most spaces. They require good maintenance and proper sealing, but they are a versatile and iconic choice.

Porous Stone Coasters (Ceramic And Sandstone)

Ceramic and sandstone are good coaster materials for style and durability whilst protecting your surfaces. They offer smooth, glossy surfaces or textured ones for a touch of sophistication. Ceramic coasters are typically sealed to resist moisture and keep condensation away from surfaces, but unsealed ceramic is highly absorbent. Sandstone also offers great absorbency, and also has a natural, textured feel that adds character.

There are disadvantages to porous stone coasters, however:

• These materials are prone to chipping and breakage when dropped.
• They are quite heavy as well, which can make handling awkward.

Nevertheless, they are highly resilient against staining and easy to clean, making them an appealing choice for many. With a good balance of elegance and practicality, some would say porous stone material is best for coasters.

Felt Coasters

Felt coasters are often lauded as the best material to make coasters out of because of their soft texture. They are gentle on tables to prevent scratches, making them ideal for use on glass or wood surfaces. The material is lightweight and easy to handle, and it grips well on different surfaces. It is absorbent, but large amounts of moisture may soak right through and reach tabletops if there is no waterproof bottom.

Other disadvantages of ordering custom felt coasters include:

• It is vulnerable to staining from some liquids.
• They may need to be cleaned and dried frequently.

Despite these slight drawbacks, the subtle elegance, low cost, and design flexibility of felt coasters are attractive features. They can complement many decor styles and are popular among people who prioritize a gentle and unobtrusive solution for their tabletop protection.

Paper Coasters

If you want a cost-effective, disposable option that offers an elegant aesthetic and reliable tabletop protection, paper is a fantastic drink coaster material. Paper coasters are lightweight and convenient for one-off uses, with superb flexibility for custom coaster design ideas.

The disadvantages of choosing paper for your custom coasters are as follows:

• Their disposable nature means they aren’t really suitable for long-term use.
• They may not be the most effective at preventing moisture damage.
• The need for frequent replacement may cancel out their affordability.

If you can balance practicality with their limited lifespan, paper coasters can be one of the best materials for temporary or event-based needs. As a one-off solution, they are cost-effective and highly customizable, and they will protect your surfaces against the vast majority of threats from beverages.

Acrylic Coasters

Acrylic coasters have a contemporary aesthetic and are very effective at protecting surfaces. If your idea of the best material for coasters is a balance of sleek appearance, water-resistance, and cost-effectiveness, these should be on your radar. They are durable, low-maintenance and highly customizable when you order through us.

The disadvantages of acrylic coasters include:

• They can be prone to slipping.
• Sometimes, they develop scratches over time.

Acrylic coasters strike a delicate balance between practical functionality and visual appeal. They are resilient and low-cost, and you can use them for a range of decor styles. With careful consideration of placement and occasional maintenance, you can easily mitigate the potential drawbacks for a positive all-round experience with acrylic coasters.

Marble Coasters

Marble coasters have a timeless elegance that looks luxurious in any setting. Renowned for natural veining and unique patterns, marble is used in creating coasters that look high-end and protect effectively. Use them as stylish decor accents and the material’s ability to remain cool is ideal for preventing condensation.

Of course, there are downsides to marble coasters as well:

• It is a heavyweight material, which can be inconvenient for handling and transport.
• Marble’s porous nature makes it susceptible to staining from acidic liquids.
• It requires regular sealing and maintenance to preserve the elegant appearance.

In spite of these things, these coasters have an unparalleled beauty that makes marble one of the best materials to make coasters out of. They are durable and sophisticated, contributing greatly to your table setting in terms of both functionality and aesthetic appeal whether for a home or an upscale establishment.

The question of what is the best material to make coasters out of depends largely on personal preferences and usage patterns. However, one material that frequently strikes the right balance is ceramic. This materials offers:

• Durability
• Moisture resistance
• Low maintenance
• Excellent sustainability
• Design flexibility

If you were looking for a stand-out material as the best for coasters, ceramic would rank highly on many people’s lists. However, let’s take a look at the best materials for coasters in the context of specific requirements.

What Is The Best Absorbent Material For Coasters?

Cork stands out as the best absorbent material for making coasters. Its natural composition makes it very effective at absorbing moisture to prevent it from reaching your surfaces. In addition to being absorbent, cork is lightweight and resists slipping very well.

This combination of properties makes it an outstanding choice for protecting against beverage-related damage whilst also offering great aesthetics and eco-friendly credentials. And it can be combined with other materials as one of the best materials to make coasters out of, lending its properties to other coaster types with ease.

What Is The Best Waterproof Material For Coasters?

If you prioritize waterproof qualities in your coasters, acrylic is probably one of the best materials used in creating coasters. The popular plastic is known for its superb water-resistance that prevents moisture from seeping through. It is also easy to wipe clean, so it will never be damaged by water staining itself.

Of course, you can also apply coatings and coverings to make coasters waterproof if they are made from other materials. Ceramic is easy to treat for waterproofing, so it can make another great waterproof material for coasters.

What Is The Best Affordable Material For Coasters?

If you are looking for a low-cost option, paper coasters are one of the cheapest materials drink coasters are made from. With their affordability, you can easily place bulk orders without any compromise on functionality. They are ideal for events, gatherings, and other one-off uses, providing a cost-effective solution that also offers superb customization potential.

Paper is not the most durable option, but their disposable nature is combined with the fact that they can often be recycled. They are a practical choice for those who seek an economical and functional way to protect surfaces in the short-term.

What Is The Best Luxury Material For Coasters?

Marble is the epitome of luxury for coasters, so it stands at the best drink coaster material for a deluxe look. The timeless elegance infuses each marble coaster with a unique and sophisticated aesthetic. With one-of-a-kind veining and patterns on every piece, you get a touch of opulence for any setting, with superb condensation resistance and durability.

This is an ideal choice for upscale settings, protecting surfaces and elevating the overall ambiance. They are a premium solution for those who prioritize exquisite design for their table settings.

We can create custom coasters using any of the materials listed in this article and more. We pride ourselves on being one of the most comprehensive purveyors of custom print-on-demand coasters, and we also guarantee a flawless recreation of your design at a competitive price.

When you create your custom design, you choose the:

• Material
• Size
• Shape
• Thickness
• Colors
• Personalized design
• Additional features

Essentially, you have complete control over how your coaster looks and functions. Match it to your surroundings and ensure it has the functional properties you need, then order in any quantity you need. Cost savings are available for bulk orders of different sizes, so explore your requirements and get maximum value for money with your purchase.

You won’t find a more versatile supplier of custom coasters in an array of materials, and our customer service is second-to-none.

In this post, we have looked at the question of what the best material is to make coasters from. As you will have discovered, the answer is subjective. If you are looking for the best all-round material, you may want to opt for a ceramic coaster. But there are many other materials that offer great properties and may be a better aesthetic fit for your space, so you should give it some consideration.

Think about the needs of your setting, whether it is your home, an event, or an establishment. Consider how different materials might complement the decor, and what their practical advantages and disadvantages are. Also, take a look at your priorities, because different materials are more suited to people who prioritize affordability, luxury aesthetic, absorbency, and more. We hope that this post provides some guidance that helps you reach the right decision.