Coaster holders are mostly smaller type of objects designed to store and organize drink coasters when they are not being used. They can be made from many different materials and come in various designs. To fit a particular brand or interior.
Coaster holders help keep coasters stacked, protected and easy to grab. Placed on tables, within bars, cafes and restaurants, they represent an excellent opportunity for communicating to consumers.
Within the domains of design and material, there exist all kinds of coaster holders. Let me first introduce you to the most common materials before showing you some of the most inspiring coaster design ideas.
Plastics is by far the most commonly used material for making coaster holders. It is a material that can be molded, extruded, or cast into many different shapes. It has a high durability, is lightweight and cost-effective.
Sustainable plastics, e.g. bioplastic, recycled plastics and biodegradable plastics, reduce environmental damage, and hence offer valuable alternatives to traditional types of plastics.
If you manage a premium brand, you’ll probably want to choose a premium material for your coaster holder. Wood is a good option for this. With wood like oak, alder or walnut, you can achieve a rustic, classic look. There exist wood types with which you can achieve a modern look, too. It always depends on the finish and the overall design.
Another premium material option is metal. Metal coaster holders are very durable and offer the option of a vintage or a more modern style. Most often metal is used for contemporary designs. Metals that come to mind are stainless steel, aluminum, iron and brass.
Ceramic refers to different types of material made from inorganic, non-metallic substances. This means mostly clay. Treating the material at high temperatures is key here.
There exist many other materials which are, for various reasons, rarely used for making coaster holders.
Glass: can be clear or colored. Due to the high fragility, glass coaster holders are not very common.
Leather: leather offers a unique tactile sensation and links with premium or luxury brands.
Stone or marble: this material is durable but quite heavy.
Fabric: felt, cotton or some other woven material. These materials are soft and flexible. They offer a cozy type of décor.
A short definition of “eye-catching”: you can’t help but notice.
What makes consumers notice a coaster holder? A unique design. If a coaster holder has a unique visual appeal, e.g. via its shape, color, texture or graphics applied to it, there is a good chance consumers will pay attention making them a great use in POS.
Same as menu holders, coaster holders are placed in the center of tables. As such they are very likely to be seen. Exceptional craftsmanship increases the probability. This could mean special patterns, hand-painted details or intricate engravings.
Innovation regarding the functionality of the product. A holder that creatively presents or organizes coasters will increase consumer curiosity.
The interior design of the place, e.g. a bar, the coaster holder is part of, matters. If the holder matches the décor, be it contemporary, minimal or steampunk, that will be quite unusual.
Because most coaster holders are mass market type of items. As such, they aren’t able to adapt well to the surroundings. This means they don’t add much value to the décor.
Coaster holders offer a lot of room for playfulness. You can choose from many different options. Especially when you develop your own unique concept by working with a product designer.
Here are fiveideas to guide you.
The power of a brand story lies in its potential to create emotional connections with consumers. It has the power to differentiate your brand and inspire consumers to become loyal. Storytelling makes your brand more relatable and memorable. More human.
You can use this for any branded merchandise product. For coaster holders you might use different geometric shapes and create a story around that. You might use different prints or colors, too.
You might create a story around universal symbols, integrating them into your coaster holder design. What’s important is that it makes sense with your specific brand and is relevant to your target audience.
Thematic design means you create a unified visual and conceptual experience by focusing on a specific theme. There are a lot of options for this. Your brand might already revolve around a specific theme:
- Seafaring
- Art Deco
- Japanese Zen
- Nature
- Cinematography
The theme serves as a focal point around which all design elements revolve and therefore reinforce the chosen concept. The theme you choose will have a direct impact on your coaster holder design: colors, patterns and materials.
When using coaster holders that align to a particular theme, it is important to consider the décor of the outlets you plan on using them. If an outlet is decorated in a steampunk design, art deco designed coaster holders won’t work well.
Therefore it can be counterproductive to thematically overload a coaster holder. The product needs to be designed in a careful way.
A unique approach when it comes to designing a coaster holder is to choose a minimalist version. This means a simple design that focuses on clean lines, none to little embellishment, often monochrome or bicolor and efficient use of space. The shape is often geometric, e.g. circular, rectangular or squared. The look is elegant and understated. There are no bold decorations or details that stick too much out.
A minimalist coaster holder will only present essential design elements whilst still offering an aesthetic appeal. It’s an object that intentionally understates. It appears clean to the eye. The following saying is rightfully associated with minimalist design: “less is more”.
All design aspects considered, functionality is key. Your design choices should always support it. Not compete with it. Consumers are not the only ones who will judge your brand based on the level of practicality your coaster holder offers. Your B2B partners will, too. With this I am referring to the outlets you work with. Their people will judge your products to a very high degree by how well it gets the job done.
With so many promotional messages out there, it is challenging to stand out. In the realm of coaster holders, eye-catching design is essential. A high level of practicality is a given. Great design is what will draw attention and add personality to your product.
There are a many options to achieve this:
a) a set of geometric shapes which might even be multi-levelled. Imagine a coaster holder that stacks coasters in a geometric arrangement.
b) a coaster holder could incorporate electronics: illumination, glow-in-the-dark, sound…
c) themes or novelty aspects
d) artistic and sculptural: imagine a coaster holder that, along with the coasters, looks like a piece of art or an art installation
e) bright and bold colors or gradient effects, which means the colors transition from one to another
f) innovative materials offer an opportunity to achieve an eye-catching product solution. Imagine a drink that is based on elderflower. Its coaster holder could be made from resin with elderflowers embedded in it.
g) coaster holders could incorporate some type of interactive element, e.g. a a rotating mechanism or a board game, something that can be playful
h) depending on the outlet coaster holders can be personalized, e.g. via its color, a print or an engraving
i) magnets can be used to keep the coasters attached in an unusual wayj) vintage or retro designs can be used, e.g. by using patinated metal, to evoke a sense of
j) vintage or retro designs can be used, e.g. by using patinated metal, to evoke a sense of nostalgia
Coaster holders are a cost-effective promotional item for positioning your brand and increasing sales. At events and in on-trade outlets.
There exist a ton of options when it comes to designing your product. Counting on professional help regarding the design, the development and the production is key.
You wonder if besides coaster holders we produce coasters, too? Thanks for asking. We do. But only the custom and premium type. Not made from cardboard but from metal, wood, plastic, leather, marble….
Ivica Baraba
"In PES I get to work on many custom Point of Sales material projects. I’ve been doing this since 2004. It intrigues me to delve into brand worlds and determine what products can help a client achieve their business goals. It is an exceptionally creative and dynamic industry to be a part of.”