Designing a custom stubby holder with Stubbysonline is a simple, guided process — you don’t need to figure it all out yourself. Get in touch with the team, share your ideas, style preferences, and any artwork you have, and we’ll take it from there. This guide covers what to think about before you reach out, so you’re ready to go when you do. Contact the Stubbysonline team to get started.
Want to design your own stubby holder but not sure where to begin?
You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get at Stubbysonline. Whether it’s a 40th birthday, a bucks night, a footy club fundraiser, or a corporate giveaway, a custom stubby holder is one of the most practical and personal gifts you can give. But if you’ve never ordered one before, the process can feel a bit daunting.
It really isn’t. You don’t need design experience, a finished artwork file, or any technical knowledge. The Stubbysonline team handles the design side — you just need to know what you want on it.
This guide covers what to think about before you get in touch: which style suits your needs, what artwork or ideas to have ready, how to think about text and colour, and what happens once the team takes over. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to bring to the conversation.
What Style of Stubby Holder Should You Choose?
The first step in designing your own stubby holder is choosing the right style for the drink you’re planning to use it with. The most popular option is the standard stubby holder, which fits a 375ml can or bottle. But there are five other styles available depending on your needs.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Standard (375ml cans and bottles): The classic. Great for birthdays, events, and corporate giveaways.
- Deluxe (375ml): Same size as standard, but double-stitched with a cleaner, more professional finish. Worth it if you want something that looks premium.
- Deluxe Long Neck (750ml bottles): Perfect for wine and longneck beers. Has a full zip for complete insulation.
- Cruiser (330ml and 275ml slim bottles): Fits those slimline cans and cruiser bottles that standard holders are too wide for.
- Iced Coffee (600ml milk cartons): Yes, really. Great for schools, kids’ events, and anyone who loves their Oak.
- Wine Glass: Slips over the stem and bowl of a wine glass to keep whites cold at outdoor events.
Not sure which one to order? Check out the full range and pricing on the Stubbysonline pricing page.
What Artwork Should You Have Ready?
You don’t need to have finished artwork to get started. Many customers come to us with nothing more than a rough idea and a few words they want printed. The team will work with you to develop the design. That said, if you do have artwork ready, vector files (AI, EPS, or PDF) or high-resolution PNG or JPEG files at 300 DPI or higher work best.
If you have a logo from a graphic designer, it’s likely an AI or EPS file. These are ideal and will print sharp at any size.
If you’re working with a photo (say, a face photo for a 50th birthday stubby), a high-resolution JPEG or PNG is perfectly fine. Aim for at least 300 DPI at the size you want it printed. A photo that looks great on a phone screen can print blurry if the resolution is too low.
Not sure if your file is good enough? Just send it through when you get in touch, and the team will check it for you before anything goes to print.
How Do You Choose Colours for Your Stubby Holder Design?
Colour choice comes down to two things: the background colour of the neoprene and the colours in your printed artwork. Stubbysonline offers a wide range of neoprene background colours, and the team can help you find the right combination based on your event, your brand, or your personal style.
A few things worth thinking about before you chat with the team.
Contrast is everything. Light text on a dark background, or dark text on a light background, reads clearly from a distance. Avoid putting similar colours next to each other, like a light yellow logo on a white background.
Full-colour sublimation printing means there’s no limit on how many colours your design uses. Unlike screen printing, sublimation prints the full image in one pass. Photos, gradients, and multi-colour artwork all print at no extra cost.
If you have existing brand colours, team colours, or a wedding palette you want to match, mention it when you reach out. The team will do their best to get the colours right.
How to Think About Text Before You Contact Us
You don’t need to have your wording perfectly locked in, but it helps to have a rough idea. Keep your text short, your font size large, and your message clear. A stubby holder is roughly 9cm tall and 8cm wide when flat. The best designs use one or two lines of bold text as the hero, with any smaller details kept small and secondary.
Here are a few tips that make a real difference:
Less is more. A name and a date on a wedding stubby holder is more impactful than a paragraph. People read it in a second and remember it.
Think about readable fonts. Fancy scripts and thin fonts can look beautiful on screen but disappear on a small printed surface. The team can advise on what works best for your style.
Check your spelling before you send it. The team will send a proof before anything goes to print, so you’ll have a chance to review. But catching errors early saves time for everyone.
Think about what it’ll look like in someone’s hand. The front-facing panel gets the most visibility. Put your key message there.
What Happens After You Get in Touch?
Getting started is simple — just contact the Stubbysonline team with your idea. You don’t need a finished design, a colour-matched brief, or a print-ready file. Tell us what you need, what occasion it’s for, roughly what you’d like on it, and any artwork or photos you have. The team will take it from there.
All stubby holders are printed and manufactured in our Adelaide factory. We use 5mm neoprene, the same insulating material used in wetsuits, and our holders are stitched (not just glued) for a durable, long-lasting finish.
Once production is complete, your order is packed and dispatched. Delivery timeframes vary depending on your location, but most metro orders across Australia arrive within a few business days of dispatch. Regional areas may take a little longer.
If you have a hard deadline, like a wedding date or event day, let us know upfront. The team will confirm whether we can meet your timeline.
Common Stubby Holder Design Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Even experienced designers make these mistakes when ordering custom stubby holders for the first time. Knowing what to watch for will save you time.
Sending low-resolution images. 300 DPI at print size is the minimum. If you’re pulling an image from a website or social media, it’s almost certainly too low resolution. When in doubt, send it across, and the team will check it.
Leaving the wording too vague. The more specific you are about names, dates, and the message you want, the faster the proof comes back. “Something fun for a 40th” is a starting point, but “Dave’s 40th — Keep Calm and Have a Beer” gives the team something to work with.
Ordering too late. Custom products take time. Get in touch as early as possible. Allow at least a week from first contact to delivery, and more if you have a large order or complex design.
Not personalising enough. The whole point of a custom stubby is that it’s yours. Don’t hold back on adding a name, a date, an inside joke, or a photo. That’s what people remember.
Design Ideas by Occasion
Not sure what to put on your stubby holder? Here are some tried-and-tested ideas for the most common occasions. Mention these when you contact the team and they’ll help you bring them to life.
Weddings: Names of the couple plus the date. A short quote or funny line. A photo of the couple works brilliantly on the deluxe or long neck style. Read more in our guide on why stubby holders are essential for your wedding.
Hens nights: The bride-to-be’s name, a cheeky title, and the date. Team colours or a theme colour work well. Check out our tips for planning a hens party for more ideas.
Bucks nights: The groom’s name, a funny nickname, the date. A black neoprene background with bold white text is a classic. See our bucks party stubby holder ideas for inspiration.
Birthdays: The person’s name, their age, and a funny quote or photo. Milestone birthdays (18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th) are the most popular.
Sports clubs and businesses: Your club logo, team colours, and maybe the season year. Keeps things clean and professional. Great for fundraising or merchandise.
Ready to Design Yours?
Designing a custom stubby holder with Stubbysonline is a lot simpler than most people expect. You don’t need a finished design, print-ready files, or any technical knowledge. You just need an idea and a reason to celebrate.
The key things to think about beforehand: which style suits your drink, what artwork or photos you have available, what you want it to say, and when you need it by. Bring those to the conversation, and the team will handle the rest.
Every holder is made from quality 5mm neoprene, stitched to last, and printed right here in Adelaide.
Get in touch with the team, check out pricing and styles, or browse existing designs for inspiration. We’d love to help you make something great.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I design my own stubby holder with Stubbysonline?
Just get in touch with the team and share your ideas — what occasion it’s for, what you’d like it to say, any artwork or photos you have, and which style you’re after. The team develops the design and sends you a digital proof within one business day. Nothing is printed until you’re happy.
What file format should I use for my stubby holder artwork?
Vector files (AI, EPS, or PDF) are ideal for logos and text-heavy designs because they scale without losing quality. High-resolution JPEG or PNG files at 300 DPI or above work well for photos. Avoid using images saved from websites or social media, as they’re almost always too low resolution for print.
How long does it take to get custom stubby holders made in Australia?
Allow at least a week from first contact to delivery, including design, proof approval, production, and shipping. Most metro areas receive orders within a few business days of dispatch. If you have a specific event date, mention it upfront so the team can confirm the timeline. Check the delivery and shipping policy for more details.
Can I put a photo on a stubby holder?
Yes, absolutely. Full-colour sublimation printing means photos reproduce beautifully on neoprene. The key is a high-resolution image — at least 300 DPI at the size you want it printed. A clear, well-lit photo works best. If you’re not sure your photo is high enough resolution, send it through and the team will let you know.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom stubby holders?
Stubbysonline caters for small and large orders alike. Visit the pricing page for a full breakdown of quantities and costs, or get in touch directly if you have a specific quantity in mind.
