Oak, Bamboo or Slate? Choosing Logo Coasters for Your Business
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For most businesses, oak logo coasters are the most versatile choice: warm in tone, consistent from one coaster to the next, and Danish oiled. Choose bamboo if you want a certificate number to quote in sustainability reporting (it is FSC-certified Moso bamboo, certificate BV-COC-190523) and a paler look, and slate if you want weight and the strongest contrast on a dark bar or restaurant table. All three engrave a logo or a QR code cleanly.
Oak, bamboo and slate compared
| Oak | Bamboo | Slate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 4mm FSC-certified oak veneered MDF | FSC-certified Moso bamboo (certificate BV-COC-190523) | Natural slate |
| Look | Warm brown, Danish oiled | Pale, natural grain that varies piece to piece | Dark grey stone, natural edges |
| Engraving | Dark, consistent across a batch | Darker brown on a light surface | Pale grey on dark stone |
| Weight | Light | Light | Heavy |
| Shapes | 100mm round, 90mm square | 100mm round, 90mm square, 115mm leaf | Approximately 100 x 100mm |
Slate is not FSC-certified because it is quarried stone rather than wood; our article is slate sustainable? covers its environmental case honestly.
Which material for which business
- Bars, pubs and restaurants: slate for contrast and weight on the table, or oak for a warmer look. See logo slate coasters and promotional oak logo coasters.
- Cafés and garden centres: oak, or the leaf-shaped bamboo logo coaster for something that looks different from a round one.
- Hotels and holiday lets: oak or bamboo in the room or the welcome pack, often with a QR code to the guest information or review page.
- Offices and client gifts: the branded oak coaster, laid out for a logo with a line of text, or bamboo logo coasters where the FSC certificate number (BV-COC-190523) helps a sustainability report.
- Events and exhibitions: light oak or bamboo coasters as giveaways, engraved with the event name and date.
Adding a QR code
A QR code turns a coaster into a link to your Google reviews, menu or Instagram. Give us the web address and we generate and engrave the code. Shorter addresses make simpler codes that scan more reliably; our guide to QR codes on wood explains why. Ready-made designs include the Google review coaster with your logo, the menu QR code coaster and the social media slate coaster.
Preparing your logo
Engraving is a single tone, so a logo is reproduced in one shade. Logos can be colour or black and white — we will convert colour logos for engraving. Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) give the sharpest edges on fine detail. Proofs are not standard; ask for one in the personalisation box if you want to approve the layout first.
Ordering in bulk
There is no minimum order, so you can buy one coaster to check the engraving before a larger order. We do not sell blank coasters; every coaster is engraved to order. Bulk discounts apply automatically at checkout, per product: 10% off 20+, 15% off 50+, 20% off 100+, 25% off 250+, 30% off 500+ and 35% off 1,000+. Where a coaster is sold in packs, each pack counts as one item.
All items are made to order. Dispatch time is shown at checkout. UK orders via Royal Mail Tracked 24. International via Royal Mail International Tracked.
Frequently asked questions
Which coaster material is best for a busy bar?
Slate is the heaviest and gives the strongest contrast on a dark table. Oak and bamboo are lighter; both are FSC-certified, and the bamboo certificate is BV-COC-190523. If you are unsure, order one of each to compare before the full order.
Can a coaster carry our logo and a QR code?
Yes. The Google review coaster with logo is designed for both, and any logo coaster can include a QR code in the artwork.
Is there a minimum order?
No. Bulk discounts start at 20 of the same product.
Do you sell blank coasters?
No. Every coaster is engraved to order with your design.
Can each coaster carry a different name or table number?
Yes. List the wording for each coaster in the personalisation box, numbered in order.
Browse all branded wooden coasters for business, or read where our materials come from.