Round Sublimation Coasters

[JSR]

Green baize backing is available for the UniSub coasters and one of the UniSub placemats separately now online so we are testing the water with these. The baize from the company that makes the coasters is a expensive and they have increased their prices. Watch this space to see though...

Do you have a link to the page on your site? I've just tried searching for the separate green baize but nothing came up. I want to bookmark it ready for when I next order from you. Thanks! (I do sell more cork backed ones than green baize, though...).

I've recently started to make my own cork backing for different size placemats etc. I can't see anywhere that sells Unisub with cork backed on larger mats and no option to buy seperate so might consider supplying to members if there's a demand. It isn't cheap at the moment though, not until I can buy in much larger bulk

It's certainly something that would interest me. I'd much rather buy in a couple of hundred plain-backed coasters and then put the backing on it as and when required. Buying 40 of one type, 20 of another, and 10 of another, as customers order them is just so inefficient - and wasteful, on those occasions that a wasted coasted means a wasted one with backing (but if you print a plain one before putting the backing on, you only waste a plain one).

That cork backing that Listawood sells is ideal because it suits round coasters in both wood, glass, and ceramic varieties. You just stick it on when you need it. If the same stuff was available for square coasters, my life would be a lot easier.

In addition, I'm sure I could put the cork backing on a lot straighter than some of the ham-fisted efforts I've seen recently. You'd think it was policy for them to close their eyes when aligning it, or something.

[Justin]

Doing a thousand like that would be a tad time consuming ! Lol

An order of 1000 placemats? Chance would be a fine thing, wouldn't mind that at all! lol.

In addition, I'm sure I could put the cork backing on a lot straighter than some of the ham-fisted efforts I've seen recentl

This is something I noticed as well, the edges are way off so I never bought them. getting them lined up properly really looks good. I have done a few where the cork is slightly smaller than the mat, just 2/3mm. far easier to line up and looks really neat.

[bms]

Do you have a link to the page on your site? I've just tried searching for the separate green baize but nothing came up. I want to bookmark it ready for when I next order from you. Thanks! (I do sell more cork backed ones than green baize, though...).

They are with the coasters/ placemats:
http://www.printerowners.co.uk/sublimat ... asters.htm
http://www.printerowners.co.uk/sublimat ... cemats.htm

[JSR]

This is something I noticed as well, the edges are way off so I never bought them. getting them lined up properly really looks good. I have done a few where the cork is slightly smaller than the mat, just 2/3mm. far easier to line up and looks really neat.

The round ones work because the coasters are 90mm diameter and the cork is 89mm. Just enough for it to look nice and to help alignment.

[JSR]

They are with the coasters/ placemats:
http://www.printerowners.co.uk/sublimat ... asters.htm
http://www.printerowners.co.uk/sublimat ... cemats.htm

Does this mean the baize backing is 10cm square and only suitable for UniSub coasters? That's a shame because people generally buy coasters from me because they're cheap. The 40p premium for baize-backed regular coasters already put people off, so they're not going to pay 20p extra for a UniSub coaster and then 20p extra again for the backing. Where's the benefit?

[bms]

The benefit is in the size. Larger coaster, same price. As I said we're looking to see how popular the coaster with backing separately is before expanding the range. Putting the backing on separately isn't everyone's cup of tea so we have both options available. We'll see how popular this proves to be and then expand the range of mix n match solutions. If anyone knows of a good source for self adhesive cork backing in volume then I'd be interested to hear.

[Justin]

One question that springs to mind. Is thus glue used on the cork backing ok at the sublimation temps? just wondering about mats/coasters that already have the cork in place. Personally I'd be interested in having the largest BMS place mats with cork on and also coasters. Looked at them before but as expected price escalates considerably.

[JSR]

The benefit is in the size. Larger coaster, same price. As I said we're looking to see how popular the coaster with backing separately is before expanding the range. Putting the backing on separately isn't everyone's cup of tea so we have both options available. We'll see how popular this proves to be and then expand the range of mix n match solutions. If anyone knows of a good source for self adhesive cork backing in volume then I'd be interested to hear.

How can it be "larger coaster, same price"? The plain-backed UniSub is 20p dearer than the plain-backed regular coaster. The main benefit of fitting your own backing is to stock up on hundreds of plain-backed coasters and only put backing on when required. If the backing is only available for UniSub coasters, that means stocking up on hundreds of coasters that are 20p dearer than what I'm currently paying for your regular coasters.

That's no benefit because that 20p increase will kill sales of plain-backed coasters, so I'm not prepared to do it. I offer UniSub coasters on my website for that 20p difference in price over regular coasters. Do you know how many I've sold in 4 years? None. Compare that to hundreds of the cheaper ones.

If your other customers are anything like me, this "experiment" of yours to determine how popular separate baize backing is will result in the erroneous conclusion that no one wants it. It must be made available for the cheaper coasters.

[bms]

The "same price" refers to the same price of both coasters with the backing, not the plain backed coasters. So there is very little price difference between both coasters now if a customer wants a backing. We sell about the same quantity of both types of coaster per annum so it doesn't necessarily follow that customers only buy the cheaper, slightly smaller plain backed version.

[JSR]

The "same price" refers to the same price of both coasters with the backing, not the plain backed coasters. So there is very little price difference between both coasters now if a customer wants a backing. We sell about the same quantity of both types of coaster per annum so it doesn't necessarily follow that customers only buy the cheaper, slightly smaller plain backed version.

I know I'm not explaining my POV well enough. What I want to do is to be able to buy in a few hundred plain backed coasters and put on the backing when a customer wants it. That way I can capitalise on cheaper coaster costs by buying larger quantities than I normally do.

Here's the math -

Let's say I buy in 1,000 plain-backed coasters to get a good stock in - knowing that I only need to put backing on when necessary. That will cost me, at present, £660. But in order to use your backing, I have to change to UniSub - whereupon the coasters will now cost me £830. So that's an extra £170 just for the privilege of having the option of putting my own backing on the coaster. Spending £170 more is the complete opposite of the intent to save money by buying larger quantities.

In my eyes, the primary benefit of putting on your own backing is lower cost. If the difference between plain backed and baize/cork backed is 36p and a piece of baize/cork is 20p, then there should be a 16p saving if you put your own backing on. Having it only available for the more expensive coaster negates the cost saving because I'd have to push up the price of plain-backed coasters, thus making the whole exercise pretty pointless.

The point of putting my own backing on is to save money. The way you've done it does not save money.

I guess I'll just have to continue buying in small quantities. Either that or push the round ones more enthusiastically using the backing from Listawood.