A bar mat is an effective, budget-friendly method of beverage promotion designed to cover your bar surface while improving custom conversion at point of purchase. These customized counter covers can carry your brand’s unique logo and designs to differentiate your brand from competitor drink products in any setting.
Bar mats have steadily become one of our most popular products when designing promo merchandise for developing and established brands in the soft and alcoholic beverage sector. Our broad selection of bar mats has been refined and added to over the years. It offers you the freedom to find and customize perfect mats that match your every promotional specification and need.
However, finding the right mat without understanding your promotional needs and goals when placing an order can be challenging. This is where we step in with ideation, design and creative commentary, to blurring the lines between promotional merchandise products and related services. Sit back and enjoy this guide on how to better order your next All in One Merchandise bar mat. We’ve got you covered!
Types stocked and specifications
Customizing a bar mat from scratch to fit your brand and beverages can be tricky and time consuming. But don’t be discouraged. Our creative team and easy-to-navigate online design system is here to streamline this process and give you an easy buying experience.
Browse our bar mat breakdown below for an overview of our available bar mat styles, product specifications and customization options as well as relative creative services at your disposal during your design journey.
Custom-molded PVC (Polyvinyl) bar mats
Our custom injection-molded polyvinyl bar mats can be uniquely custom-shaped and sized to fit your needs. They offer a strong and non-slip surface designed to promote your brand visibly to customers. Custom-molded mats protect counters and surfaces from spills (greatest spill absorbtion) and stains and help bar staff not waste time wiping up. Proudly made in the USA from quality PVC, these mats are renowned for being the thickest and most durable in our assortment, while offering unmatched flexibility.
These mats offer more resistance to wear and tear than rubber or silicone alternatives. Easily cleaned using just water and a damp cloth, these mats are low maintenance and built to last.
We can customize yours with your logo or design, even with LED backlit elements, in a colors and quantities of your choice. When you choose this mat, you choose the mat that is built to last so youwill enjoy longer return on investment.
Pros and cons of custom molded bar mats
A client “value for money” favourite, custom molded bar mats have a number of pros and cons. Consider the following when chosing your custom bar mat:
Pros:
- Has the greatest spill absorption out of all mats available.
- Eye-catching and impactful appearance.
- Can be flexibly custom-shaped to fit your needs.
- Made in the USA (except LED backlit).
- Optional LED lighting integration for brighter brand appearance.
- Easy to clean.
- Durable for low maintenance bar work.
Cons:
- Photorealistic print is unavailable.
- Thickness and weight can raise shipping costs.
- Higher setup fees (Approximately $150 to $350 per order. One time).
Most popular custom molded bar mats:
21 x 3.5 inches bar mat
23 x 7.87 inches bar mat
18 x 12 inches counter mat
LED backlit bar mat
Circle bar mats
Full-color printed nitrile rubber bar mats
Our custom nitrile rubber bar mats offer a unique, photo-realistic full-color printed finish. A truly select custom bar accessory, our streamline production is well suited to small batch orders. Order from as little as 20 units, and enjoy a speedy ETA of only seven days (approximately). Ditch pixelation issues and enjoying print patterns, logos and even photos of your choice in high resolution. Proudly custom-made in the USA from quality nitrile rubber, these bar mats offer a more defined, sleek and matte finish.
Nitrile rubber bar mats offer a thinner more premium feel compared with bulky rubber and silicone variants. These mats also offer a refined and sophisticated look and feel you cannot quite match with thicker PVC and more affordable entry-level materials. Flexible and lightweight, nitrile mats boast superior durability and are resistant to most oils, chemicals and temperature changes (ideal for establishments serving your beverages alongside hot foods and surfaces).
Pros and cons of full-color printed nitrile rubber bar mats
Nitrile rubber bar mats are a select, low-volume product, with a number of unique pros and cons. As brand promoters, consider the following before deciding on a rubberized nitrile design and finish.
Pros:
- Low minimum ordering quantity (MOQ 20).
- Photo-realistic full-color print.
- Shiny print and surface feel.
- Made in the USA.
- No setup fees.
- Quick production time (manufacturing takes around seven days).
Cons:
- Standardized shape and sizing.
- Less impactful than custom-molded mats.
- Absorbs less spillage.
- No optional LED lighting integration
Browse custom full-color nitrile rubber bar mats here:
Full color printed counter mat
Full color printed bar runner mat
Needle-punch polyester (printed) bar mats
Our printed needle-punch polyester bar mats have a soft material feel. Their texture resembles a mousepad and they can be customized in full-color photo-realistic print with your brand’s high resolution promotional pictures, logos or designs. Proudly custom-made in the USA, this mat is our category best seller, containing densely interlocked quality polyester fibres. Flexible, thin and compact, this mat offers ease of packaging to greatly cut your shipping and courier costs (ideal for geographically distant brands and businesses in isolated regions).
These mats are lightweight, extremely absorbent and have a frizzy flat woolen appearance. They are softer and more flexible than our PVC variety and are not liquid repellent like our nitrile range. More eco-friendly with a cushioned feel under hand or elbow, these mats are an excellent choice for beverage brands marketing on comfort and hospitality of establishments with sit-down customers interacting with these mats for lengthy periods.
Pros and cons of needle-punch polyester (printed) bar mats
Needle-punch polyester bar mats are a familiar go-to bar mat favored by the vast majority of beverage brands when promoting beverages using mats on bar counters. With a number of no-brainer pros, we’ve taken the liberty to list some cons to help you make an informed merchandising decision:
Pros:
- Full-color photo-realistic print
- Soft material feel, resembles mouse pad
- Low minimum ordering quantity (starts at 40)
- Made in the USA
- Affordable shipping and order delivery.
- Rapid production and order turnaround times (around seven days)
Cons:
- The outer layer retains dirt and stains (regular manual hand washing advised)
- Color saturation may fade over time
- Less absorbent.
You can order this product here:
Finding your right fit
Now that you’ve explored the options for customizable bar mats, it’s time to narrow down your choices based on a few key variables. Here are some important considerations to help you find the perfect fit:
Photorealistic print
If you need a photorealistic bar mat to display your beautiful bottle or a well-known view that customers will recognize, opt for mats that support high-quality, full-color printing.
Recommended options:
- Full-color printed nitrile rubber bar mats: These mats offer vibrant, photorealistic prints.
- Needle-punch polyester bar mats: These also provide excellent full-color prints on a surface that resembles a mouse pad, offering a unique texture and feel.
Illumination requirement
If you want your bar mat to be illuminated, there are specific mats designed to catch the eye in low-light settings.
Recommended option:
- Custom-molded PVC bar mats: These mats not only allow for illumination but are also highly durable.
Longevity and durability
If you want your bar mat to be a long-term fixture kept by bar staff, durability is key.
Recommended option:
- Custom-molded PVC bar mats: Favored by bar staff for their durability and long-lasting nature.
Design process recommendations
Creating an eye-catching and effective bar mat design is crucial. Here are our recommendations to ensure your bar mat stands out from the competition:
Invest time in the design phase
- Don’t rush: It’s tempting to just place your logo on a black background and call it done. However, consider how your mat will compete with others on the bar.
- Think competitively: Your design should make your bar mat the most attractive and noticeable among others
Leverage your brand elements
- Incorporate branding: Look at your product and brand colors. Think about how these can be transferred to your custom bar mat.
- Use interesting backgrounds: Consider incorporating shapes associated with your brand, brand colors, location images, or anything else that attracts attention.
Design for visibility
- Attract the eye: Brighter colors and unusual shapes naturally draw attention. Utilize this knowledge to make your mat stand out.
- Understand perception: Good design takes advantage of how our brains are wired to notice standout features in our environment. Ensure your mat is designed to be noticed with a clear “call to action”.
Utilize expert help
- Get professional assistance: Over the years, we’ve handled hundreds, if not thousands, of custom bar mat projects at All In One Merchandise UK. Our team knows what works and what doesn’t.
- Free design support: If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our in-house designers are always ready to assist you in creating the perfect bar mat.
Closing considerations
Designing a custom bar mat may initially seem overwhelming, so understanding your needs and ultimate vision is a valuable starting point. The insights provided in this guide aim to help you create a bar mat that not only enhances your brand’s visibility but also boosts your return on investment. By narrowing down your choices based on your initial ideas, you’re now ready to move forward and confidently bring your concept to life.
Already have a concept and just need a designer’s touch? We can help with that to. Contact the All In One Merchandise team. We can be as involved as you like, leaving you in control, while helping bring your design to life.
To customize yours, give us a call today. Good luck with your brand’s bar mat project!
