We're big fans of USPS Priority Mail here at Coastermatic. Their flat rate boxes have made our lives much easier when it comes to getting coasters across the world. Since our coasters are manufactured and printed in the USA, it only seems right to support our postal system too. And we like the redesign!

Two big things rolled out in the new Coastermatic.com last month, both of which involve USPS.

1. We added a shopping cart!

In the previous edition of Coastermatic, we could only do 1 set of coasters at a time, so shipping was fairly simple - 1 small USPS flat rate box. Now, however, we can send you MORE coasters. We've decided to stick with using the priority mail flat rate boxes, which means that our shipping rates now look like this:

Buying more than 12 sets? You are amazing! If you're in the USA we'll ship to you for free! Everywhere else, get in touch with us and we'll figure out the best way to get your coasters to you. 

2. Shipment tracking numbers! We can send them!

Now, whenever you place an order, you'll get a USPS tracking number in your shipment confirmation email. This was a heavily requested feature, and we're really happy that we've rolled it out. It might take a couple of days for the link to activate, as the labels are made before the coasters, but once they're sent to the post office you'll be able to see them coming!

Unfortunately, for our international customers, USPS only provides tracking within the USA. We working on alternative shipping options, but the weight of the coasters makes this a little pricey.

What are you up to now? I think you should probably test our our new shipping system, and start your set.

Written by Tash Wong

For a while now, people have been asking us about the set featured on Coastermatic.com, and whether they can have it too. And now, the answer is yes, yes you can.

Back in the early days, Tom and I put together this set to celebrate the view from the park we'd visit on breaks from school work. These images of the Manhattan skyline were taken on a brisk April morning from East River State Park, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. At the time, Tom and I both lived a few blocks away and had taken to having Coastermatic + grad school cram sessions at my dining room table.

Fast forward 15 months or so, and we now use this set every day. Since Coasterica has relocated to more tropical climes, this set reminds us of where we came from, and how far away we are from the big city.

We like this set a lot, and figure it's probably not fair to keep it all to ourselves. We're testing out a new feature that lets us sell pre-designed sets along side our standard custom option, so now, you can have this set too.

Need some Brooklyn love on your table top too? Order your Manhattan From Brooklyn set here.

Written by Tash Wong

Ever wonder about the history of coasters? Everything comes from somewhere, and our Coastermatic coaster roots can be found in the humble beermat.

Photo Credit: Tr1xx

You'll find beermats in pretty much every bar you visit. They're used to protect table surfaces and to absorb the beer that gets slopped all over the place. The first cardboard beermats were introduced in 1880, by Friedrich Horn a German printing company, with wood pulp mats appearing on the scene in 1892. Wood pulp is what beer mats are made from today.

Quickly after their invention, breweries and advertisers began to use them as an easy way to communicate directly with consumers. Not surprisingly, this continues today, making beermat advertising one of the oldest forms of advertising, up there with the billboard and the poster.

Here at Coastermatic, we're working to start a new branch of coaster lineage. Our attention is focused at home, not on ads or in bars. We believe the things we own and keep close to us should be more expressive of who we are. We built Coastermatic with this in mind and to help you make your favorite spaces a little more unique, by putting your stories on the table. Literally.

What story will your coasters tell? Think about it, then start your set.

Historical references: Wikipedia and Coaster Factory

Written by Tash Wong

Whether you lean more towards a traditional glass, or like to mix it up with a few extra flavors, nothing makes a summer day sweeter than a fresh glass of lemonade.

Today On Coastermatic, we bring you a few lemonade recipes to get you ready for the weekend.

Homemade Lemonade by Ree, The Pioneer Woman

Watermelon Mint Lemonade by Alice Currah 

Basil Lemonade by Jess Simpson

Need something to rest that sweaty glass on?
Why not make a set of coasters!

Written by Tash Wong

Starting today, each month we'll feature one of our favorite customer sets. We love coasters that capture an especially cute moment, a beautiful scene, or those that get creative in unexpected ways. The creator of each chosen set receives a gift code for a complimentary set of Coastermatic coasters, including shipping.

This month's featured set is by @megginelizabeth!

She made these coasters as a gift for Mother's Day. We get a fair few pet coasters through our doors, but we really enjoy the reduced color palette and the different camera angles of this set. That bull terrier sure is cute too!

Want to be in to win?

Just take a fabulous photo of your coasters and tag it with #coastermatic on Instagram. Featured sets receive a gift code for a free Coastermatic set of 4 coasters. Make more for yourself, or send them to a friend!

Written by Tash Wong