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Don’t Overlook These 6 Considerations When Buying Cork Backing for Coasters

When it comes to purchasing cork backing for coasters, it’s vital to understand not all types of cork or custom manufacturers are created equally. As a matter of fact, there are several different types of cork materials — such as composition cork and cork & rubber elastomers — and  attributes you should consider.

Additionally, there are certain capabilities you should look for in a die cutting partner. To help you in the process, we've outlined six of the most important considerations you shouldn't overlook when buying cork backing for coasters.

Make Sure the Cork Backing for Coasters is Light Weight

The unique cellular structure of cork is made up of millions of tiny air cushions. Approximately 90% of cork’s volume is filled with air that is encapsulated by tiny micro cells of cork. This enclosed air constitutes around 50% of the weight.

Cork is a super lightweight material, which allows it to float on water. However, there are different types of cork, and not all types of cork are as lightweight. Make sure you choose a lightweight cork backing that is suitable for your product.

Improve Manufacturing with Kiss-Cut Cork Backing with Adhesive

When you’re considering the ideal solution, we will help you see the bigger picture. We’ve made our name in the industry for helping our customers explore, pursue, and create solutions that improve manufacturing products and processes. For example, we often suggest laminating the cork backing for coasters with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. This simple step has proven to greatly simplify assembly.

You further expedite your manufacturing by kiss cutting the cork product to create a peel-and-stick cork backing. With kiss cut cork backing for coasters, the cork material will be completely cut through; while the actual backing will be gently “kissed” leaving the paper intact.

And when you order your kiss cut cork backing for coasters on a sheet or roll, your assemblers can quickly peel and stick the cork backing to the coasters with expedited efficiency. In addition to hand assembly, our laminated peel-and-stick cork backing for coasters work well on assembly lines and with high-tech industrial robots or other types of automated equipment.

Improve Safety with Anti-Skid Cork Backing for Coasters

Coasters are used as a buffer between beverages (often hot) and the underlying surface. While the coaster is engineered to protect table or surface underneath from watermarks and damage, you can enhance its functionality by choosing cork backing with anti-skid properties.

Whether it includes adding small rubber bumpers or other types of solutions, cork backing for coasters with anti-skid properties can help avoid consumer burns and injuries.

The Thickness of the Cork Backing for Coasters

When considering cork backing for your coasters, one of the most important considerations you can make is the thickness of the cork. Simply put, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for the thickness of cork backing for coasters.

Whether your coasters are made of metal, wood, or any other type of material, the backing should be thick enough to offer shock absorption qualities. This will alleviate the potential of someone slamming a cup or glass onto the coaster and damaging the underlying surface.

Just as 3/8” cork may be suitable for wall boards to reduce the risk of pins passing through, there’s also a proper thickness for cork backing for coasters. In most instances, 1/8” is the ideal thickness for lining drawers, rainy day projects with the kids, and for cutting coasters.

However, you may want to choose a thinner or thicker cork for backing for coasters. Most importantly, the experts at Frank Lowe will listen to your needs, expectations, and help you choose the best thickness of the cork backing for coasters.

Can the Manufacturer Create Special Shapes?

Do you need cork backing for coasters in a star cut or any other type of shape? At Frank Lowe, we’ve die cut virtually any and every conceivable shape of cork backing. We offer expert cork die cut and kiss cut solutions that are fully customizable to your needs. You simply provide us with your specifications, and we will die cut or kiss cut the perfect cork backing for your coasters.

The Cork Backing Should Be Impermeable

Unlike other materials, most cork has a natural membrane that makes it completely impermeable to gases and liquids. This means it doesn’t absorb moisture or water, so the end user can easily clean the cork backing.

In addition to being impermeable, the natural cell membrane of cork stops it from degrading and rotting over time. This means your cork backing will last for several years to come — even if the coaster doesn't.  

Explore, Pursue, and Create Cork Backing for Coasters

When you partner with Frank Lowe, you’ll gain access to our more than 65 years of experience. To date, we’ve helped countless customers explore, pursue, and create the perfect cork backing for coasters. Our process is simple, we’ll help you:

  • Explore the different types of cork materials best suited for your coasters.
  • Pursue each type of cork material as well as different solutions — such as peel-and-stick cork backing for coasters — to improve your manufacturing process.
  • Create the ideal cork backing for your coasters based on your exact specifications.

Let’s talk more about how we can use our experience to help your company. Contact Frank Lowe today.

About the Author Randy Cohen

Since 2002, Randy Cohen has served as the Senior Vice President of Frank Lowe — leading Sales and Marketing as well as a variety of Administrative operations. Randy has 25 years of experience with a background in sales & marketing, production and business management, serving both government agencies and private industry. He holds a B.A from Syracuse University and a Masters and Professional Diploma from Fordham University. Randy uses his unique set of experiences to help businesses and entities across all sectors explore, pursue, and create better solutions.

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