# Drink coaster > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Drink_coaster > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Drink_coaster.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink_coaster > Source revision: 1344547364 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Item to stand beverage container on Drink coasters made of [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) A **coaster**, **drink coaster**, **beverage coaster**, or **beermat** is an object used to rest [drinks](/source/Drink) upon. Coasters protect the surface of a [table](/source/Table_(furniture)), or any other surface where a user might place a cup, from condensation created by cold drinks. A coaster on top of a beverage can also be used to show that a drink is not finished or to prevent contamination (usually from insects). Coasters can also stop hot drinks from burning the table surface. In a [pub](/source/Pub) or bar, coasters are used to protect tables and bar surfaces. Coasters are typically made of paper, and sometimes are used to write on. Coasters are often branded with [trademarks](/source/Trademark) or [alcohol advertising](/source/Alcohol_advertising). Coasters are not to be confused with bar mats, which are larger pieces of rubber or absorbent material that are used to protect countertops or floors and to limit the spread of spilled drinks. ## History A silver wine bottle coaster The first coasters were designed for [decanters](/source/Decanter) or wine bottles so that they could be slid (or "coasted") around the dinner table after the servants had retired. They were in common use after about 1760.[1] Early coasters took the form of a shallow tray or dish made of [wood](/source/Wood), [papier-mâché](/source/Papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9), silver, or [silver plate](/source/Silver_plate).[2] In 1880, a German printing company, Friedrich Horn, introduced the first coaster made of [cardboard](/source/Cardboard_(paper_product)).[3] In 1892, [Robert Sputh](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sputh) of [Dresden](/source/Dresden) manufactured the first coaster made of wood pulp.[4] [Watney's brewery](/source/Watney_Combe_%26_Reid) introduced them to the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) in 1920 to advertise their pale ale.[4] The packaging company Quarmby Promotions, established in 1872, began manufacturing coasters in [Milnsbridge](/source/Milnsbridge) in 1931. After Quarmby Promotions was taken over by the Katz Group, it moved production to [Brighouse](/source/Brighouse) and in 2006 to [Morley](/source/Morley%2C_West_Yorkshire), West Yorkshire, before closing its production in 2009.[5] [Saucers](/source/Saucer) are also long used in western culture for much the same purpose. When drinking [tea](/source/Tea), it is customary to use a cup and saucer set. By the mid-twentieth century, drink coasters made in many materials and styles were manufactured for domestic use. Today, they are common as everyday houseware pieces and are also used in restaurants. ## Manufacturing Drink coasters made from [cork](/source/Cork_(material)) A drink coaster made from [bamboo](/source/Bamboo) strips Czech men drinking beer with ceramic coasters (1936) Coasters are often made from high [grammage](/source/Grammage) [paperboard](/source/Paperboard) but may also be constructed from multiple layers of [tissue paper](/source/Tissue_paper). Drink coasters are also sometimes made from materials such as soapstone, metal, wood, and silicone. Important parameters for coasters include water absorbency, wet rub resistance, and printability.[6] Some drink coasters are made to be [recyclable](/source/Recycling) or [biodegradable](/source/Biodegradation). [Pulpboard](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pulpboard) coasters, commonly used in bars and restaurants, are designed to absorb condensation and protect surfaces from moisture. Several manufacturers produce custom-printed pulpboard coasters at varying scales. ## Coaster imprints Coasters are often adorned with a customized image, usually mentioning or [advertising](/source/Advertising) a [brand](/source/Brand) of beer. However, they can also promote a drinking establishment, [sports franchise](/source/Sports_franchise), businesses, or special events. ## Tegestology Some coasters are collectible items. *Tegestology* is a term coined from [Latin](/source/Latin) (*[teges](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/teges)* "covering" or "mat", and *etis*) defined as the practice of collecting coasters, with practitioners known as *tegestologists*.[6] A 1960 British [Pathé News](/source/Path%C3%A9_News) short shows comedy duo [Morecambe and Wise](/source/Morecambe_and_Wise) as tegestologists.[7] ## References Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Coasters](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Coasters). Look up ***[coaster](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/coaster)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Cook, Peter (1988). [*The Antique Buyer's Handbook*](https://books.google.com/books?id=dq_c_xteltYC&q=antique+coasters). McLaren Publishing. p. 97. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0947889258](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0947889258). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Wills, Geoffrey (2015). [*Guide to Antique Collecting*](https://books.google.com/books?id=GAtlCgAAQBAJ&q=antique+coasters&pg=PT24). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1515311386](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1515311386).[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-toughtimes_3-0)** ["Tough Times for the Humble Beer Mat"](http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,620780,00.html). *Spiegel Online*. SPIEGELnet GmbH. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-lastorders_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-lastorders_4-1) Atkinson, Simon (26 May 2009). ["Last orders for beer mat maker?"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8049077.stm). *BBC News*. BBC. Retrieved 26 May 2009. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Atkinson, Neil (1 December 2008). ["Jobs lost as historic beer mat firm moves to Germany"](http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/12/01/jobs-lost-as-historic-beer-mat-firm-moves-to-germany-86081-22374560/). *Huddersfield Examiner*. Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited. Retrieved 26 May 2009. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_6-1) *Oxford English Dictionary* (first citation 1960). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*Morecambe And Wise (1960)*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSjjGZtqTao). *YouTube*. 13 April 2014. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/oSjjGZtqTao) from the original on 13 December 2021. v t e Bartending Occupations Barback Bargirl Bartender Beer sommelier Beer wench Cocktail waitress Nightclub act Sommelier Bouncer Alcoholic beverages Beer Cider Cocktail Liquor Mixed drink Wine Non-alcoholic mixers Bitters Fruit juice Grenadine Soft drink Sugar syrup Tomato juice Equipment Absinthiana Alcoholic spirits measure Bar spoon Beer engine Beer tap Beer tower Beverage coaster Blender Chinois Cocktail shaker Cocktail strainer Corkscrew Drinkware Glass rimmer Ice cube Jigger Juicer Margarita machine Melon baller Muddler Muddling spoon Nutmeg grater Peg Soda siphon Swizzle stick Whisk Wine dispenser Zester Garnishes Edible Celery Citrus Cocktail onion Flowers Maraschino cherry Mint Olive Pickle Pineapple Rosemary Salt Strawberry Sugar Tajín Twist Inedible Cocktail stick Cocktail umbrella Drinking straw Swizzle stick People List of bartenders Terminology Body shot Bottle keep Dryness Flair bartending Gay night Happy hour Ladies' night Last call Six o'clock swill Straight up Well drink Related Bartending school Craft cocktail movement Drinking establishment index bar pub tavern Homebrewing Craft beer International Bartenders Association official cocktails Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide Drink portal liquor portal Category: Bartending v t e Paper products Containers Box Carton Cigarette pack Coffee cup sleeve Corrugated box Corrugated fiberboard Envelope Molded pulp Oyster pail Paper bag Paper cup Paperboard Shipping tube Hygiene Facial tissue Napkin Paper towel Toilet paper Wet wipe Stationery Continuous stationery Greeting card Index card Letter Manila folder Notebook Postage stamp Postcard Post-it note Financial Banknote Business card Coupon Paper money Passbook Visiting card Decorations Ingrain wallpaper Mat Wallpaper Media Book Magazine Newspaper Newsprint Pamphlet Recreation Confetti Paper craft Paper toys Playing card Quilling Other Drink coaster Filter paper Form Paper model Sandpaper Security paper --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Drink coaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink_coaster) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink_coaster?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.