Custom Stadium Cups vs Personalized Can Coolers: Which Should You Print for Mardi Gras?

For most Mardi Gras bars and parties where drinks are poured and refilled, Custom Stadium Cups are the better print choice; choose can coolers when your audience will primarily drink canned beverages and you want insulation plus grip.

• Shop Custom Stadium Cups

• Shop Personalized Can Coolers

If you’re building a complete Mardi Gras kit (table + bar + décor + throws), start at Mardi Gras Swags.

Quick comparison table

Choose Custom Stadium Cups if…

Choose stadium cups when your event’s drink reality is “poured and refilled.” Stadium cups typically win if you match 2+ of these:

• You expect poured drinks (beer on draft, punch, mixed drinks, soft drinks).
• You want to standardize service across multiple bar stations.1
• You expect refills (the same cup stays in use for hours).
• You want maximum logo area for crowd shots and “walking visibility.”
• You need a single item that works for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic stations.

If you’re deciding between cup styles, compare cup finishes here: Custom Stadium Cups vs Custom Frosted Plastic Cups: Which Should You Print for Mardi Gras?

Choose Personalized Can Coolers if…

Choose can coolers when the drink reality is “hand someone a can.” Can coolers typically win if you match 2+ of these:

• Your beverage plan is mostly canned drinks (beer, seltzer, soda, energy drinks).
• You want a take-home item that people keep using after Mardi Gras.
• You want the functional benefit: insulation + grip (especially outdoors).
• You’re handing out drinks in coolers/ice bins, not pouring at a bar.
• You’re running a sponsor activation where “one item per guest” is the goal.

For bars and tables, can coolers pair naturally with Custom Coasters and Custom Printed Napkins to extend branding beyond the hand.

Best use cases (Mardi Gras mapping)

1. Bars with draft/poured cocktails: Stadium cups usually win (speed + refills).
2. House parties with punch bowls and self-serve stations: Stadium cups win (standard vessel).
3. Tailgates and outdoor daytime events: Can coolers often win (cold retention + grip).
4. Sponsor “grab-and-go” activations with canned drinks: Can coolers win (simple distribution).
5. Ticketed events with multiple drink stations: Stadium cups win (standardization).
6. VIP gift bags or krewe member kits: Can coolers win (long retention).
7. Photo-forward nightlife crowd shots: Stadium cups win (bigger imprint visibility).

Branding & imprint considerations (what changes your design choices)

Print rule #1: design for motion and hands.

• Stadium cups: hands cover the grip zone; put the main mark opposite typical grip.
• Can coolers: hands and the can hide some of the surface; keep the logo large and centered.

What prints cleanly

• Large logo, thick lines, short event text (name + year).
• High contrast (dark-on-light or light-on-dark).

What doesn’t

• Tiny taglines, small URLs, thin scripts, dense patterns.
• Low-contrast logos that fade under mixed lighting or condensation.

Color strategy

• If your brand colors are subtle, use an outline/stroke version for readability.
• Avoid “tone-on-tone” designs unless the logo is very bold.

Operational factors (service, storage, and event flow)

Service speed

• Stadium cups support a fast pour-and-go bar workflow and refills.
• Can coolers require a can supply chain (ice bins, stocking plan) and are not a pour vessel.

Staging & storage

• Stadium cups: stage stacks at each bar station; restock on a schedule.
• Can coolers: stage near ice bins and at entry points for easy one-per-guest distribution.

Indoor vs outdoor

• Outdoor events amplify the functional value of can coolers (cold retention and grip).
• Indoor bars amplify the value of standardized cups (fast service and refills).

How to choose between cups and can coolers (fast method)

1. Start with beverage format: poured/refills → stadium cups; mostly cans → can coolers.
2. Then check distribution: bar stations → cups; entry/ice bin handout → can coolers.
3. Finish with your goal: crowd visibility now → cups; retention after the event → can coolers.

FAQs

Which is better for a Mardi Gras bar: cups or can coolers?

Custom Stadium Cups are usually better for bars because they support poured drinks, standard service, and refills.

When do can coolers beat stadium cups?

Can coolers win when most drinks are cans and you want insulation plus a take-home item.

What should I print to keep drinkware readable?

Print a bold logo with high contrast and minimal text to stay legible in motion and under mixed lighting.

Where should the logo go on stadium cups?

Place the logo opposite the most common grip area so hands don’t cover the mark while drinking.

Do can coolers hide the logo when held?

They can hands and the can cover part of the surface, so use a larger centered mark and avoid tiny details.

How many should I order for an event?

Plan around 1 per guest plus 10–15% extra for breakage, late arrivals, and staff needs; increase if you expect multiple waves of attendees.

What else should I bundle with drinkware for Mardi Gras?

Add table-level repetition and quick cleanup support, such as Custom Printed Napkins and Custom Coasters.

If I’m still unsure, where should I start?

Start with the Mardi Gras Swags buyer’s guide to match drinkware to your full kit and operations: