Free Beer Mat Samples Templates And Design Resources For Businesses And Consumers

Beer mats, also known as coasters, serve both functional and promotional purposes in bars, restaurants, breweries, and various business settings. These small items protect surfaces from moisture while simultaneously offering opportunities for brand promotion, artistic expression, and customer engagement. For businesses looking to enhance their marketing materials without significant investment, free beer mat samples, templates, and design resources provide valuable opportunities. This article explores the various options available for obtaining free beer mat resources, including physical samples, digital templates, design services, and mockups.

Physical Beer Mat Samples

For businesses that need to physically evaluate the quality of beer mats before making a bulk purchase, several companies offer free sample packs. Thirsty's, a UK-based beer mat manufacturer, provides complimentary sample packs to prospective customers who wish to inspect the quality of their mats and printing. These samples allow businesses to firsthand assess the materials, printing quality, and durability before committing to a larger order.

Thirsty's sample packs contain mats that have previously been printed for other customers, providing realistic examples of the company's work. However, the company cannot print samples of customer's own designs, as litho-press printing is not economical for very small quantities. The sample ordering form was removed from the website due to spam issues, so interested parties must request samples via email to [email protected].

To request a sample pack, customers must provide the following information: - Business name (if applicable) - Type of business (such as brewery, pub, restaurant, distillery, taxi firm, event, etc.) - Personal name - Address - Interest in specific types of mats (standard square/round mats, custom shapes, or foiled beer mats)

After receiving this information, Thirsty's will mail a sample pack, which typically arrives within five working days. It's important to note that Thirsty's currently only serves UK addresses, and interested parties in other countries need to inquire about sample availability.

Digital Beer Mat Templates

For businesses that prefer to create their own designs, free digital templates offer a starting point for customization. Brandpacks provides free beer coaster templates for Photoshop and Illustrator, designed to help local bars upgrade their branding with unique designs. These templates are described as "gorgeous, easy to use and perfect in any bar setting," offering an alternative to brewery-supplied coasters.

The template pack features three unique designs in both Photoshop PSD and Illustrator Vector Ai formats, each at standard beer mat size. The illustration style balances between old-fashioned and cartoonist aesthetics, making them suitable for various bar environments, particularly those in the craft beer scene. Each template includes plenty of editable text areas for inserting custom messages.

Technical specifications for these templates include: - Print-ready in 300ppi CMYK color format - Well-organized layers and folders for efficient editing - Compatibility with Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator - Inclusion of stock photos, though users can easily incorporate their own images

To use these templates, users will need additional fonts that are freely available for download. The templates are particularly valuable for bars and businesses looking to create distinctive coasters that reflect their unique brand identity without investing in professional design services.

Beer Mat Design Services

For businesses that require professional design assistance without the upfront cost, Beermats4U offers a complimentary design service. This service is provided without obligation, allowing businesses to receive professional designs for their beer mats before making any purchasing commitments.

To utilize this free design service, customers need to provide: - Their logo or photos - Text they want to include - A short note describing how they want the design to look

The design team at Beermats4U will create a custom beer mat design based on this information and present it to the customer. The customer only needs to place an order when they are satisfied with the design. This approach allows businesses to experiment with different design concepts and receive professional input without financial risk.

The company emphasizes that beer mats serve as effective tools for broadcasting messages to customers, noting that "the best ideas start on the back of a beer mat." This perspective highlights the potential of beer mats not just as functional items but as catalysts for creativity and communication in business settings.

Beer Mat Mockups for Design Testing

Before finalizing a beer mat design, businesses may benefit from visualizing how the design will look on an actual mat. Graflick offers free beer mat mockup PSD files that allow designers to preview their creations in a realistic setting.

A beer mat, also called a coaster, is typically circular or square in shape and can be made from wood, cork, rubber, or cardboard. While primarily functional to protect surfaces from moisture, modern beer mats have evolved into works of art through unique designs and promotional purposes. They often feature sponsor names, logos, and artwork that enhance brand recognition.

To use the free beer mat mockup from Graflick: 1. Download the mockup file and open it with Photoshop software 2. Locate the Smart Object layer in the layers panel on the right 3. Double-click on the small icon visible on that layer's icon 4. A new window will open where you can place your design 5. Save the modified file (Ctrl+S/Cmnd+S)

These mockups are particularly valuable for businesses that want to test different design concepts before committing to production. They provide a realistic preview of how the final product will look, helping to ensure satisfaction with the design before investing in physical mats.

Other Mat Sample Resources

Beyond specialized beer mat companies, general mat manufacturers also offer sample programs that can be relevant for various business needs. Ultimate Mats provides free samples of their mat products, including custom logo mats, WaterHog entry mats, carpeted entrance mats, and anti-fatigue mats.

Understanding that online shopping can make it difficult to evaluate products firsthand, Ultimate Mats offers free samples shipped via standard ground shipping. Customers can request whatever samples are available, including color swatches, material samples, or mini mats, to assess the quality firsthand. This service is particularly valuable for businesses that need to match specific decor requirements or evaluate durability for high-traffic areas.

Featured mat products from Ultimate Mats include: - Custom logo mats with Berber carpet - Mats made with 85% recycled content reclaimed from plastic drink bottles - Fade and stain resistant options - Various sizes available in widths of 3', 4', 5', or 6' and lengths up to 20' - Mats with 56 color options and digital print capabilities

These samples allow businesses to compare different mat types and select the most appropriate options for their specific needs, whether for entranceways, workspaces, or promotional areas.

Business Applications of Beer Mats

Beer mats serve numerous business applications beyond their primary function of protecting surfaces. As promotional tools, they offer unique opportunities for brand exposure in settings where customers spend extended periods, such as bars, restaurants, and event venues.

The promotional value of beer mats lies in their dual nature: they are both practical and visible. Unlike some marketing materials that may be discarded quickly, beer mats remain on tables throughout a customer's visit, providing repeated brand exposure. Additionally, beer mats often have longer lifespans than other promotional items, as they may be kept by customers as souvenirs or collectibles.

In the craft beer scene, beer mats have evolved into cultural artifacts that enhance the drinking experience. Some mats feature fun facts, games, or puzzling illustrations that engage customers and extend their interaction with the brand. This interactive element can transform a simple coaster into a conversation starter, enhancing the overall customer experience.

For breweries, beer mats serve as miniature billboards that promote brand recognition both in the establishment and potentially in customers' homes if they take them as souvenirs. For other businesses like restaurants, pubs, and event venues, beer mats offer an opportunity to showcase their identity and create a cohesive atmosphere that reinforces their brand image.

Collecting and Displaying Beer Mats

Beyond their functional and promotional uses, beer mats have gained recognition as collectibles, particularly in the craft beer culture. Vintage beer mats, especially those with unique designs or from notable breweries, can hold significant value for collectors. Some enthusiasts specialize in collecting mats from specific regions, breweries, or time periods, creating curated collections that reflect the evolution of beer branding and design.

For businesses, displaying a collection of interesting beer mats can enhance the atmosphere of the establishment, providing visual interest and conversation pieces for customers. Many bars and restaurants create feature walls or display cases showcasing their collection of beer mats, which can serve as both decoration and a reflection of the establishment's connection to the broader beer culture.

The collectible nature of beer mats extends their promotional value beyond the immediate setting. When customers take beer mats as souvenirs, they continue to promote the brand in their homes or offices, extending the reach of the original marketing investment.

Ordering and Shipping Information

When requesting free beer mat samples or utilizing design services, it's important to understand the ordering and shipping processes to set appropriate expectations for delivery.

For physical samples from Thirsty's, the processing time is approximately five working days after the sample request is received. As mentioned earlier, these samples are currently only available for UK addresses, with international inquiries requiring special attention. The company removed its online sample ordering form due to spam issues, necessitating email communication for sample requests.

Digital resources like templates and mockups are typically available for immediate download after accessing the respective websites. Brandpacks' templates and Graflick's mockups can be downloaded directly without shipping considerations, allowing businesses to start designing immediately.

Free design services from companies like Beermats4U may vary in turnaround time, as they involve actual design work by professionals. Businesses should expect some processing time for initial design concepts and revisions before final approval.

For businesses planning to order bulk quantities of beer mats after evaluating samples or designs, it's advisable to inquire about production timelines and shipping options. While free samples typically use standard shipping, bulk orders may offer expedited options or special packaging requirements.

Conclusion

Free beer mat resources offer valuable opportunities for businesses to enhance their marketing materials without significant upfront investment. Physical samples allow for quality assessment before purchase, digital templates provide design flexibility, professional design services offer customization without cost, and mockups enable realistic visualization of final products.

For breweries, bars, restaurants, and other establishments in the beverage industry, beer mats serve as both functional items and powerful promotional tools. Their dual nature provides extended brand exposure in customer-facing environments while also offering potential for collectibility that extends marketing reach beyond the immediate setting.

Businesses interested in exploring free beer mat resources should consider their specific needs and target audience when selecting appropriate options. Whether evaluating physical samples for quality, utilizing templates for quick customization, leveraging design services for professional results, or using mockups for visualization, each resource offers unique benefits that can enhance a company's marketing strategy.

By taking advantage of these free resources, businesses can create distinctive beer mats that reflect their brand identity, engage customers, and provide practical value—all while maintaining budget considerations.

Sources

1. Thirsty's Sample Request Information
2. Brandpacks Free Beer Coaster Templates
3. Ultimate Mats Free Samples
4. Graflick Beer Mat Mockup
5. Beermats4U Free Design Service