Cork vs Pulpboard Coasters: Which One Performs Better for Bars and Events?

A pint glass of amber beer with foam on a circular wooden coaster, showcasing drink coaster performance for bars and events.

These coasters are small, but can have an important impact on generating business for the bar, restaurant, or events. Indeed, apart from condensing glass and cups and keeping them warm, coasters can be made to stand out as a brandable product, and help customer memory. For most people, when choosing a coaster, the material isn’t a thing of concern, but it should be. Whether you’re in a bar or a pub, design elements like coaster quality add to the drinking experience, creating a polished look and bolstering a brand’s image for each glass served.

It seems there are two types of custom cork coasters, cork coasters and pulpboard coasters, and they are very similar. Despite that, coasters offer certain advantages based on where you use them. Also, the majority of enterprises consider using custom coasters with a logo for events. Therefore, if you are interested in knowing which coasters are more appropriate for your events or for a busy spot, you need to know the most important differences between cork coasters and pulp board coasters.

What is a Cork Coaster?

Manufacturers create cork coasters using materials they obtain from the natural sources of the cork tree. One of the major features is the resistance to damage and dampness. Cork coasters are more durable than other coasters.

Businesses use cork for the following reasons

  • Better long-term durability
  • Naturally, an environmentally friendly appearance
  • Excellent gripping and skid resistance properties
  • The ability for the customer to use it multiple times.

Cork coasters are superior in their level of sophistication when it comes to custom coasters, particularly for bars and similar establishments.

What are Pulpboard Coasters?

Pulpboard coasters made by companies are made from paper with high absorbency. Manufacturers create these coasters specifically to absorb condensed water or any spills, making them an excellent option to use in particular for this purpose, such as for beers and events. You can find it where the sanitation of tables and the cleanliness of presentation are involved. It is very common because of their characteristics and economic value (feather-like), and also because they are very small. They’re also suitable for printing intricate designs or logos. These manufacturers can easily and quickly mold thousands of coasters at low cost and can tailor them to their uses.

Cork vs. Pulpboard: Key Differences Explained

Cork coasters and pulpboard coasters serve the same function but differ in several respects.

Here are a couple of factors that set apart cork coasters from pulpboard coasters.

  • Durability: Cork coasters will typically last longer than pulpboard coasters because pulpboard coasters are less durable.
  • Waterproof: Cork coasters will not absorb water; pulpboard coasters will absorb water.
  • Look: Cork coasters look beautiful, whereas pulpboard coasters have eye-catching prints on them.
  • Price: Orders can be placed for pulpboard coasters at a lower cost.
  • Re-usable: Can be reused after use by users (cork coasters) vs. cannot (pulpboard coasters).

In summary, it boils down to your preference and budget.

Can a Pulpboard Coaster Be Used in Bars?

Regarding bars, there are two considerations. First is the ambiance, while the other is high usage. The advantages of having pulp coasters in the bar include their absorbency and affordability, qualities that become especially valuable during busy occasions such as beer week, when customer traffic and drink service volumes increase significantly. In terms of cork coasters, they may serve better than the other types in a cocktail and wine bar due to their elegance. Additionally, certain enterprises may wish to utilize both cork coasters for table service and pulpboard coasters for bigger promotional events and campaigns.

Choosing The Right Coaster For An Event?

Events are a much better choice for pulpboard coasters because they are economical and flexible. Organizers typically create coasters when exhibiting or at weddings or other public events where lots of coasters are needed. They can also be useful if you are hosting a Brewery Launch, Tasting Event, Beer Festival, or any other scenario where quantity, affordability, and branding the product are key factors. There is one more benefit enjoyed by the Pulpboard coaster: the range of printing alternatives that could be used to support advertising and marketing or sponsor activities. However, in small and elegant events, there might be various applications of cork coasters.

Perspective on Sustainability: Which one is better?

There are variations in sustainability among these products (cork and pulpboard), since both are environmentally friendly solutions. To begin with, cork is a sustainable, renewable resource; it is also biodegradable and reusable, making it ideal for companies seeking eco-friendly products. The utilization of pulpboard, which is often a recycled paper-like product, is another possibility. In the longer term, however, it could create more waste than cork since it is generally single-use. According to Save Your Ink, different balances between sustainability and feasibility are preferred depending on the type of event or venue an organization wants to host. 

Conclusion

Now that you have all the information regarding both cork and pulp board coasters, you can easily choose one of them. It will be a good WDW value for money, whichever coaster you select. The perfect coaster complements the drinkability of each pour whilst sustaining a clear and pleasant experience for every guest in beer-friendly environments. Have you had any coasters with your business name or any other type of coasters custom-made? If you have any comments, please let us know!

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