Mardi Gras Swags Buyer’s Guide: Sizes, Printing, Materials, and Best Use Cases

The best Mardi Gras swags are a coordinated mix of custom tableware, drinkware, décor, and wearable “throws” chosen for readability, food-service practicality, and fast distribution.

Mardi Gras swags are branded party and parade items built for high-visibility environments krewes, bars, community events, sponsor activations where people are eating, drinking, taking photos, and collecting keepsakes.

Mardi Gras

Key terms

• Throws: Items handed or tossed to crowds (often lightweight and wearable).
• Food-contact item: Plates/napkins used during eating; design placement must avoid the food area when possible.
• Imprint method: How your design is applied (varies by surface and material).
• Imprint area: The usable space for your logo on an item.
• Mylar (foil) balloon: Metallic film balloon that holds shape well and looks high-impact in photos.
• Pinhole sunglasses: Novelty eyewear with printed lenses; excellent for theme visuals, limited for fine-detail art.

Quick picks / best for (choose your Mardi Gras mix fast)

1) Parade throws (fast distribution, high volume)

Prioritize wearable keepsakes and simple, bold printing. Start with Medallions and Beads. If you want a “night visibility” twist, a specific example is Glow in Dark Medallion Beads.

2) Bars + nightlife (branding stays in-hand for photos)

Put your logo where guests hold it: Custom Stadium Cups are a strong default when drinks are poured and refilled.

3) Parties + food service (table coverage matters more than distance)

Build the table layer first: Custom Printed Napkins plus either Custom Paper Plates or Custom Plastic Plates depending on durability needs.

4) Photo moments + décor (impact from far away)

For entrances, arches, and backdrops, décor wins. Use Custom Mylar Balloons for a metallic, camera-friendly look. For a novelty “wear it now” item, a product example is Mardi Gras Art Pinhole Sunglasses.

Sizes, capacity, and variants that change what you should buy

Practical sizing logic (use this, not guesswork):

• Napkins: pick by service style (drinks-only vs meal).
• Plates: pick by food weight and service time (quick bite vs full meal).
• Cups: pick by beverage format (poured drinks/refills vs single serve).
• Balloons: pick by viewing distance (photo wall vs table clusters).
• Wearables (beads/medallions/sunglasses): pick by how fast people can put them on.

How to choose Mardi Gras swags (step-by-step)

1. Map your moments: parade throw moments, bar service, table service, and photo areas.
2. Choose your “core surface”: in-hand (cups), on-table (napkins/plates), or in-air (balloons).
3. Set readability rules: if it must read from 10–15 feet, use large shapes and minimal text.
4. Match the material to operations: disposable vs reusable, indoor vs outdoor, quick cleanup vs premium feel.
5. Place art where it won’t be covered or soiled: hands cover cups; food covers plate centers; napkins wrinkle.
6. Back into quantity with a buffer: estimate guests/serves/stations and add extras for breaks and late arrivals.

Decision table: use-case → recommended size/material/print style

Branding & print tips (tableware + drinkware + décor + wearables)

What prints cleanly

• Bold logos, big shapes, short text (brand name + one short line)
• Strong contrast (dark on light or light on dark)
• Simplified “event lockups” designed for curved or textured surfaces

What usually fails

• Tiny URLs/social handles on textured napkins or curved cups
• Long slogans on plates where food covers the print
• Fine linework on reflective foil balloons (glare reduces legibility)

Placement rules that prevent logo loss

• Napkins: print on a corner or border area wrinkles hide dense detail.
• Plates: print on the rim/edge to keep branding visible after food is served.
• Cups: place the logo where hands won’t cover it (avoid the main grip zone).
• Balloons: use large marks; reflective foil needs high-contrast art.
• Sunglasses: treat lenses like billboards bold shapes, minimal text.

File prep checklist (send-ready art)

• Provide vector files (AI, PDF, SVG) when possible.
• Outline fonts and expand strokes.
• Create a “1-color simplified logo” version for small imprint areas and textured substrates.
• Avoid hairline strokes and tiny knockouts.

Compliance/safety note (practical, non-technical):

For food-contact items, keep printing away from the eating surface when possible and confirm material/ink suitability for your intended use and local requirements.

Quantity planning (numeric baselines)

Use these baselines and adjust for guest behavior and service style.

Napkins

• Drinks-only: 2–3 napkins per guest
• Full service/buffet: 3–5 napkins per guest
• Add 10–20% extra for bar spills and high-traffic stations.

Plates

• Single-plate service: 1.2–1.5 plates per guest
• Multi-course / dessert add-on: add +0.5–1 plate per guest depending on courses.

Stadium cups

• If cups are the primary drink vessel: 1–2 cups per guest (refills drive repeat exposure).
• Add 10–15% extra for breakage and late arrivals.

Mylar balloons (décor planning ranges)

• Table clusters: 3–7 balloons per table depending on size and density.
• Photo areas/entrances: plan by “feature zones” (entry + bar + photo wall), then allocate enough balloons to fill each zone without gaps.

Medallions/beads (throws)

• For high-volume distribution: plan 2–4 wearable items per expected participant if you want consistent coverage across the crowd.

Mistakes to avoid

• Printing dense detail on napkins (wrinkles + texture reduce readability).
• Putting the plate design in the food zone where it will be covered immediately.
• Using low-contrast art on reflective foil balloons (glare washes it out).
• Choosing cups with artwork that relies on tiny text on a curved surface.
• Ordering “too many SKUs” for live staff to manage at speed simplify to a mix rule.
• Underestimating staging space for bulky items (cups and plate stacks need logistics).

FAQs

What should I buy first for Mardi Gras swags if I’m hosting a party?

Start with napkins and plates, then add drinkware and décor so you cover the table, the bar, and the photo moments.

Should I choose paper plates or plastic plates?

Choose paper plates for fast, disposable service; choose plastic plates for durability and a sturdier guest experience.

Where should my logo go on custom plates?

Put the logo on the rim/edge so it stays visible once food is served.

What prints best on custom napkins?

Bold logos and short text print most reliably because napkins wrinkle and have texture.

Are mylar balloons a good choice for Mardi Gras branding?

Yes mylar balloons are high-impact for entrances and photo areas because the metallic finish stands out in photos.

How do I make stadium cup printing readable?

Use high contrast and thicker lines because the surface is curved and often viewed in motion.

Are glow-in-the-dark beads worth using?

They’re most effective for night events and low-light moments; an example product is Glow in Dark Medallion Beads.

Do pinhole sunglasses work for Mardi Gras activations?

Yes pinhole sunglasses are strong for daytime novelty and photos; a Mardi Gras-specific example is Mardi Gras Art Pinhole Sunglasses.