As you might've picked up from our Q&As, we love hearing the stories behind the photos on your coasters. Some of our favorite sets have been the ones that capture moments from special events or holidays, like this great collection by Sam Christie, and this one by Phillip Hess.

July 4 is right around the corner, which we think is a prime opportunity for capturing fun times with friends and family. Keep Coastermatic in mind while you're snapping your pics - you never know what great moments you'll be able to set in stone.

Just be sure to snap a pic of the finished set and tag us on your social media of choice!

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New Yorker Phillip Hess planned a special trip to Maine with his grandparents, then made his grandma a set of coasters using images from the trip. The photos below were taken by his grandfather, Robert Sumner, who taught Phillip photography.

CM: How did you find out about Coastermatic?

PH: My friend had some out on his coffee table and so I asked about them.

CM: What's the story behind the images on your coasters?

PH: One morning I decided it would be really great to take a trip with just my grandparents. So I called them and suggested Bar Harbor, ME. Maine, specifically Mount Desert Island, is one of my grandparents' favorite places to visit and I had never really been (since the last time I was there with them was when I was about one). It seemed perfect for me to experience some place so beautiful for the first time with two people who knew it well, loved it greatly and had many stories to share from the places we'd visit.

We had an unforgettable trip and I wanted to give Grandma something that she could remember the trip by but that was also unique to our visit. Coastermatic seemed like a perfect choice. I picked four images (of the 1,700 I took) that I felt represented the trip best and ordered the coasters for her birthday. You can tell the one of Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is her favorite by the stains from heavy use!

Been looking for a unique gift for someone you love? Personalise your own set of coasters here.

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Coastermatic cofounder Tash Wong visited our coaster factory recently and had a great time meeting our producer padres, and seeing how our/your coasters are made. The factory is located in the middle of the Midwest, making for equal shipping times within the US, no matter where orders are being sent. Day-to-day operations are run by a husband and wife team who've been making coasters for over 20 years!

Fun fact: the coasters are made entirely of US-sourced materials, meaning we're 100% US-made.

Here's a breakdown of how it happens:

1. The ceramic mix is made (it's a powder that looks kind of like dry plaster)

2. The powder is put into molds, then pressed by a giant machine that exerts a few ton of pressure

3. The blank coasters are baked in the kiln for a day or so

4. Once cooled, the coasters are sorted for size (they can vary about 1/4" in diameter). Ones of a similar size are grouped together so there's no major differences in a set

5. They go to the printer to have awesome Coastermatic images put on them!

6. They're transferred to big trays and baked in another, lower temp kiln, to make the ink permanent

7. They're allowed to cool again, and then Neoprene bottoms are applied

8. Your coasters are packed and shipped!

Check out some photos from Tash's visit below.

 

Now you've seen how our coasters are made, why not create your own set?!

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New Jersey photographer Taylor Allen found the texture of stone added to the texture of these incredible shots from Death Valley.

CC: How did you find out about Coastermatic?

TA: An unexpected gift from my girlfriend, who bought me a set of four and then made me do the hard part - choosing which images to use. I loved how the site created instant previews from my Instagram feed, it was actually really fun to do.

CC: Any stories to recount related to the images you used?

TA: I decided to use several images from a camping trip I took in Death Valley. I love how the textured stone of the coasters contributed to the texture in the images. They are like little stone prints lying around the house.  

CC: How have friends responded to your coasters?

TA: I think everyone is shocked by how absorbent they are, it seems uncanny. Great response though, I think they make fantastic gifts.

Follow Taylor on Instagram.

 

Preview your favorite Instagram photos on coasters. Go on, start a set!

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We love how easy Pinterest makes it to collect inspiration, and to see what's inspiring others.

We also love seeing Coastermatic featured on other people's boards. If you're a Pinterest user don't forget to tag us in your pins. It's fun to see where our coasters end up - and unique ideas for coaster compositions!

Follow us to find out what's tickling our fancy: coaster inspirations, drink recipes, party tricks and more.

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