Quick answer: Beer coasters are a low-cost way for a tradie to advertise locally. Printed with your trade, name and mobile number, they sit under drinks at the pubs and clubs that agree to use them, right in your service area. At Custom Coasters, 500 single sided coasters cost $150 + GST, and 1,000 square ones cost the same.
Beer Coasters for Tradies: The Cheapest Marketing Tool You're Not Using
You’ve tried the fridge magnets. You’ve done the flyers. Maybe you’ve even wrapped your ute. But there’s one dead-simple, dirt-cheap marketing tool that most tradies completely overlook — the humble beer coaster.
For tradies looking to stay top-of-mind with local homeowners, custom printed beer coasters are an absolute game-changer.
Your Ad, in Their Hand, Every Day
Every time a customer puts their schooner, stubby, or their wine down on your branded coaster, they see your name, your number, and your services. Not for a split second like a social media ad they scroll past. It’s right there, in their hand, multiple times a day, for weeks or months at their local drinking hole.
No other form of advertising gives you that kind of repeated, low-cost exposure.
Why Do Beer Coasters Work for Tradies?
- They live where decisions are made. When does someone decide to finally call a plumber about that dripping tap? When they're relaxing at home, looking around. Your coaster is right there at that exact moment — no searching through drawers for a business card.
- They don't get thrown away. Flyers go in the bin. Business cards get lost. But coasters? People keep them because they're useful. They protect the furniture and earn their place in the home — your branding comes along for the ride.
- They're incredibly cheap. Custom coasters cost just cents each in bulk. Compare that to fridge magnets ($0.50–$1.50 each), social media ads ($1–$5+ per click), or vehicle wraps ($2,000–$5,000+). The cost per impression is virtually zero after the initial investment.
- They start conversations. Leave a stack at the local pub and you've put your business in front of hundreds of locals. Someone picks one up and says to their mate, "Hey, do you know a good sparky? Oh wait, here's one right here."
Which Trades Can Use Beer Coasters?
Beer coasters work for virtually any trade or home service:
Whatever your trade, a coaster puts your name where it needs to be — in front of your customer.
- Plumbers — "Dripping tap? Blocked drain? Call [Your Name]."
- Electricians — "Powerpoints, fans, switchboard upgrades. Call [Your Name]."
- Garden Maintenance — "Mowing, hedging, garden cleanups & more."
- Home Cleaning — "Too busy to clean? We'll make your home sparkle."
- Driveway & Pressure Cleaning — "Dirty driveway? We'll make it look brand new."
- Carpenters — "Decks, pergolas, renovations & repairs."
- Painters — "Time for a fresh coat? Interior & exterior painting."
- Handyman — "Odd jobs, flat packs, repairs. No job too small."
Here are some interesting Statistics about drink coasters
Drink coasters are often overlooked, but the data tells a very different story about their impact in hospitality settings.
- The average customer purchases approximately 2.3 drinks during each visit.
- On average, a patron picks up their drink and sees the coaster around 9 times per beverage served.
- A single beer coaster is typically used by up to 9 different patrons throughout its lifespan.
- Research shows that 2 in every 3 people recall the branding or messaging printed on beer coasters.
- Around 62% of patrons admit they occasionally take coasters home with them.
Where Should Tradies Put Their Coasters?
- Drop a stack at local pubs, clubs, and RSLs — Pubs go through coasters constantly and are often happy to use branded ones.
- Leave them at cafés, barbershops, and waiting rooms — Anywhere people sit.
- They're incredibly cheap. Custom coasters cost just cents each in bulk. Compare that to fridge magnets ($0.50–$1.50 each), social media ads ($1–$5+ per click), or vehicle wraps ($2,000–$5,000+). The cost per impression is virtually zero after the initial investment.
Why Don’t More Tradies Use Beer Coasters?
It’s not because coasters don’t work. It’s because most tradies simply haven’t thought of it. Everyone’s chasing Google Ads, SEO, and Instagram reels — and while those have their place, sometimes the most effective marketing is the simplest.
A physical item on the table with your business contact details and message can turn into a new customer lead fast.
While your competitors fight for attention in a crowded newsfeed, your coaster is sitting quietly at the pub or club advertising your services.
That’s smart marketing.
NEW! Short Run Digital Coasters
Yes! We now do print runs as small as 500 & 1,000 quantity.
Digitally printed coasters are a fast, flexible alternative to traditional offset printing ‑ ideal for short runs and quick turnaround times with dispatch within 48 hours. Printed areas will have a slightly different sheen compared to offset‑printed coasters, adding a modern finish to your design. To ensure optimal absorbency, we recommend designs with lower ink coverage, as heavy ink coverage can reduce performance. Our team is happy to help you achieve the best possible result ‑ please give us a call to discuss your artwork and options.
Why Choose Short Run Digital Over Traditional Offset?
Custom printed beer coasters are one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective ways for tradies to promote their business locally. Whether you’re a plumber, sparky, gardener, cleaner, chippy, or painter — beer coasters deserve a spot in your marketing toolkit.
You get quality coasters, printed to your design, dispatched within 48 hours.
Stop getting scrolled past. Start getting picked up.
Ready to Order? Let’s Talk
Getting started is simple. Send us your artwork or get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements. We’ll review your design, advise on ink coverage and layout for the best result, and have your coasters on their way within 48 hours.
Give us a call today on 0417 260 980 — we’re here to help you get the perfect coaster for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Printing 500 custom beer coasters costs $150 + GST single sided or $160 + GST double sided, round or square. That is also the minimum order. There are no setup fees, design is free for simple designs and for new customers, and delivery is quoted per order based on quantity.
Yes, from 1,000 coasters up. One thousand square coasters cost $150 + GST single sided, while round costs $195 + GST. At 500 the price is the same for both shapes. Square also gives you a little more room for your number and a QR code.
Keep it to your trade, business name, mobile number and one short line about the jobs you do. The mistake we see most often is too much information and text too small to read. Think of it like a sign on the ute: someone at the next table should get it in a glance.
A run of 500 or 1,000 is printed digitally and leaves within 48 hours, as does any run up to 2,000. Bigger orders take 5 to 7 working days. From there, most major cities are 1 to 2 days away by StarTrack, Direct Freight Express or Express Post.
Whatever wins the next job: a QR code to your reviews, a short list of services or a seasonal offer. Keep your logo and mobile number on the front. If you’re ordering 1,000 double sided, that’s $375 + GST square or $390 + GST round, on 390gsm board.
Keep reading
- More Business and Event Coasters guides
- How Real Estate Agents Use Beer Coasters to Win Local Listings
- How to Get Your Coasters Into Pubs and Clubs
- Round vs Square Coasters: Which Shape is Right for You?
Send through your trade, name and mobile number and we’ll turn them into custom printed coasters, dispatched within 48 hours of your sign-off.
