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Coaster Board: More Than Just Something Under Your Beverage
When most people hear “coaster board,” they picture one thing: the small round or square piece of paperboard sitting under a cold drink.
That may be its most recognizable use, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
Coaster board is a specialized, highly absorbent paperboard designed to take on moisture while maintaining its structure. Those characteristics can make it useful for applications well beyond traditional beverage coasters.
What Makes Coaster Board Different?
Unlike many paperboard grades where moisture resistance is desirable, coaster board is designed with absorbency in mind. Its combination of thickness, bulk, rigidity and moisture absorption gives designers and manufacturers a material that can serve both functional and decorative purposes.
The uncoated surface also provides opportunities for printing, branding and custom converting.
Beyond the Beverage Coaster
Food and Beverage Applications
Absorbency makes coaster board useful anywhere small amounts of condensation or moisture need to be managed. Beyond traditional drink coasters, potential applications can include food and beverage service components, absorbent pads, separators and other specialty applications where an absorbent paper-based material is desirable.
Promotional and Branded Products
Coaster board provides a substantial printable surface, making it useful for promotional pieces, branded giveaways, event materials and point-of-purchase applications.
Traditional printed coasters are themselves an effective advertising medium, but the material doesn't necessarily have to be converted into a round or square coaster.
Printing and Letterpress
The thickness and characteristics of coaster board also make it an interesting substrate for letterpress printing and specialty printed pieces. Its substantial feel can help create printed materials that stand apart from conventional paper or lightweight paperboard.
Packaging and Specialty Components
Coaster board may also be considered for specialty packaging components, inserts, dividers and other converted pieces where thickness and absorbency are useful characteristics.
The suitability of coaster board for a particular application depends on factors including moisture exposure, required strength, finished dimensions and converting requirements.
Choosing the Right Coaster Board
As with other paperboard products, the right specification depends on the finished application.
Important considerations include:
- Required caliper
- Finished sheet or component size
- Absorbency requirements
- Printing method
- Die-cutting requirements
- Quantity
- Intended end use
Lamitech stocks 40" × 60" Coaster Board in .035" and .055" calipers and can provide custom converting for specific applications.
Have an Application We Haven't Mentioned?
Some of the most interesting uses for paperboard begin with a requirement rather than a specific material.
If your application requires an absorbent, rigid, printable paperboard, Coaster Board may be worth considering—even if you're not making beverage coasters.