Quick answer: Custom Coasters offers two beer mat board weights, 365gsm and 390gsm. Both absorb condensation well and print crisply in full colour. 365gsm costs less and suits everyday pub, club and event coasters. 390gsm is heavier and stiffer in the hand, which suits brands after a more premium feel.
365gsm vs 390gsm Beer Mat Board – What's the Difference?
When ordering custom beer coasters, one of the most common questions we receive is:
“Should I choose 365gsm or 390gsm beer mat board?”
The good news is that both stocks are manufactured specifically for beer coasters, offer excellent absorbency and produce vibrant full-colour printing. The main differences come down to thickness, durability and the premium feel of the finished coaster.
What Is 365gsm Beer Mat Board Best For?
Our 365gsm beer mat board is an excellent all-round choice and is ideal for most promotional applications.
If you’re looking for a high-quality promotional coaster with outstanding print results, 365gsm is a fantastic option.
Benefits
- Excellent absorbency
- Durable for everyday hospitality use
- Crisp full-colour printing
- Cost-effective for larger quantities
- Perfect for pubs, clubs, restaurants and events
Why Choose 390gsm Premium Beer Mat Board?
Our 390gsm Premium Beer Mat Board is our thickest and most luxurious coaster stock.
The additional thickness creates a stronger, more substantial coaster that feels noticeably more premium when customers pick it up.
Many breweries, distilleries, premium bars and corporate clients choose 390gsm when they want their branding to make a stronger impression.
Benefits
- Thicker premium feel
- Increased durability
- Excellent absorbency
- Outstanding print quality
- Ideal for premium brands and long-term use
Which One Should You Choose?
| 365gsm (Popular) | 390gsm |
|---|---|
| Excellent value | Premium option |
| Great durability | Extra durability |
| Excellent absorbency | Excellent absorbency |
| High-quality print finish | Luxury feel |
| Ideal for everyday promotions | Ideal for premium branding |
Available in Multiple Shapes
Regardless of which board you choose, your coasters can be produced in a range of shape. All options are printed in vibrant full colour and manufactured right here in Australia.
Options
- Round
- Square
- Custom die-cut shapes
- Rounded corner squares
- Bespoke branded shapes
Which Board Do We Recommend?
If you’re producing promotional coasters for general hospitality use, 365gsm beer mat board offers exceptional value and performance.
If you want your coaster to have a noticeably thicker, more premium feel that reinforces a high-end brand image, 390gsm Premium Beer Mat Board is the perfect choice.
Whichever option you select, you’ll receive Australian-made beer coasters with excellent absorbency, vibrant printing and fast production.
How Much Do 365gsm and 390gsm Coasters Cost?
365gsm is the cheaper of the two boards, and single sided printing is cheaper than double sided. Our short run prices are below, all ex GST, with delivery quoted separately based on quantity. Single sided prices are on 365gsm. The 1,000 double sided prices are on 390gsm, so they cover the heavier board as well as the second printed side.
| Quantity | Shape | Single sided (365gsm) | Double sided |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Round or square | $150 + GST | $160 + GST |
| 1,000 | Square | $150 + GST | $375 + GST (390gsm) |
| 1,000 | Round | $195 + GST | $390 + GST (390gsm) |
Two things stand out. A run of 1,000 square coasters costs the same as 500, and round costs more than square once you reach 1,000. Bigger runs bring the price per coaster right down: 5,000 single sided coasters cost about $395 + GST, and new customers can get 10,000 round, single sided coasters on 365gsm with one design for $830 + GST, artwork and delivery extra. Neither board attracts a setup fee, and design is free for simple artwork and for new customers. For most pub and club promotions, 365gsm keeps the cost down without giving up absorbency or print quality, while 390gsm earns its place when the coaster needs to feel premium in the hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the hand, yes. 390gsm is the heavier of our two boards, so it feels thicker and stiffer when you pick it up. The gsm figure is a weight, not a measurement in millimetres, so treat it as a guide to heft. Both boards soak up condensation well.
Absorbency won’t separate them. Both boards soak up condensation well, and each is made specifically for beer coasters. The real differences are feel and price: 390gsm is stiffer and more substantial in the hand, while 365gsm costs less and copes with everyday hospitality use without going soft.
It is. 365gsm is made for everyday hospitality use and copes with a full service of wet glasses. It is also the board behind our sharpest prices: $150 + GST buys 500 single sided coasters, or 1,000 if you choose square. Delivery is quoted separately.
Coasters on either board are 95 x 95mm and come in two shapes: round, or square with rounded corners. Single sided runs are priced on 365gsm and our 1,000 double sided runs on 390gsm, in both shapes. From 1,000 up, round costs more than square.
Board weight doesn’t change the timing. Anything up to 2,000 coasters leaves us within 48 hours, whether it’s on 390gsm or 365gsm, and bigger runs take 5 to 7 working days. StarTrack, Direct Freight Express or Express Post then gets them to most major cities in 1 to 2 days.
Keep reading
- More Materials and Specs guides
- Beer Mat Board Explained: What Is Beer Mat Board?
- Coaster Size Guide: Dimensions, Shapes and Board Weights
- How Much Do Custom Coasters Cost in Australia?
Ask us to price your custom beer coasters on both boards and you can compare the numbers side by side before choosing a stock.
