Soupcan stubby holders alternatives are worth comparing if you’re choosing a custom holder in Australia, especially when you’re after a traditional 5mm neoprene style made locally.
But it’s still worth comparing a few alternatives before you order.
Not because Soupcan is necessarily the wrong choice, but because the best option can change quite a bit depending on how many holders you need, the style you want and how quickly you need them.
For a direct supplier comparison, see our guide to Clinkies vs Soupcan stubby holders.
If you’re comparing Soupcan with other personalised stubby holder suppliers, these are the five things we’d look at first.
1. Check the Minimum Order Before Comparing Prices
This is probably the first thing to look at.
Soupcan’s published bulk pricing currently starts at 50 units, with the unit price dropping as quantities increase. Their listed bulk prices exclude GST and freight.
That works well if you’re ordering for:
- a large wedding
- a sporting club
- a business promotion
- a festival or community event
- a large bucks party
But if you only need 10 or 20 holders, minimum quantity becomes much more important than the lowest bulk price.
For example, Clinkies currently allows selected personalised stubby holders to be ordered from one piece, with quantity discounts applying as the order gets larger.
Quick comparison
| Order size | What to think about |
|---|---|
| 1–20 | Look for a supplier with a low minimum order |
| 20–50 | Compare the total order cost, not just unit price |
| 50–100 | Both small-order and bulk suppliers become worth comparing |
| 100+ | Bulk pricing becomes much more important |
If you need 12 holders, paying slightly more per unit can still work out cheaper than buying 50.
2. Compare the Actual Stubby Holder, Not Just the Artwork
Two custom stubby holders can look similar online but feel very different once they arrive.
Soupcan mainly promotes a traditional 5mm premium neoprene holder with a base, double-stitched seam and overlocked edges. Standard and slim sizes are available.
That’s a familiar Australian stubby holder construction and suits people who want something thicker and more structured.
Other suppliers may also offer:
- 3mm foldable neoprene
- 5mm structured holders
- overlocked finishes
- fully stitched styles
- slim can holders
- longneck bottle holders
So before comparing prices, make sure you’re actually comparing similar products. Our stubby holder size and fit guide can help you narrow down the right format.
3mm or 5mm?
A 3mm foldable holder can make sense for:
- wedding favour bags
- hens weekends
- events where you need to pack a lot of them
- lighter giveaways
A 5mm holder can make more sense if:
- you want the classic pub-style feel
- the holder itself is part of the gift
- you prefer a thicker, more structured product
- you’re ordering for clubs or corporate events
There isn’t one thickness that is right for everyone. Read our 3mm vs 5mm stubby holder guide for a closer comparison.
3. Look at the Final Delivered Price
The advertised unit price is only part of the order.
Before deciding which Soupcan alternative is cheaper, check what is actually included.
Look for:
- GST
- freight
- setup charges
- artwork charges
- design proofs
- express production fees
- quantity requirements
Soupcan’s main pricing page, for example, states that its listed prices exclude GST and freight.
At the same time, some individual Soupcan online store products include Australia Post delivery in the listed offer, so it’s worth checking the exact product or quote rather than assuming every order is priced the same way.
A useful way to compare is: Total delivered price ÷ number of holders you actually need
That gives you a much more realistic comparison than simply looking for the lowest “from” price.
4. Check How the Design Process Works
This gets overlooked until you actually place the order.
Soupcan includes free custom design and says customers can provide their idea or artwork, then communicate with the design team before approving the final design.
That can be useful if you don’t have finished artwork.
But different suppliers handle personalisation differently.
Some may let you:
- upload finished artwork directly
- add names and event details when ordering
- request a proof before printing
- start from a ready-made design
- ask the supplier to create the design for you
Clinkies, for example, currently allows customers to upload artwork, enter event details and request an artwork proof before printing on selected products. Our guide to ordering custom stubby holders online explains the steps.
Neither process is necessarily better.
If you already have finished artwork, a straightforward upload process can be quicker.
If all you have is an idea and a few photos, having someone help with the design may be more useful.
5. Check Production and Delivery Time
If you’re ordering for an event, the cheapest supplier won’t help much if the holders arrive afterwards.
Soupcan states that standard delivery is generally around 2–3 weeks from placing the order, while express options can be available. Some online store listings suggest allowing roughly two weeks from design confirmation to delivery for most Australian locations.
Clinkies currently lists 3–5 business days production on selected personalised holders, followed by Australia-wide delivery.
We’d still allow extra time regardless of supplier.
Personalised orders can involve:
- artwork changes
- proof approval
- production
- freight delays
For a wedding or hens weekend, ordering a few weeks early is much less stressful than relying on express shipping at the last minute.
Soupcan vs Other Stubby Holder Options
| What matters most | Option worth considering |
|---|---|
| Australian-made production | Soupcan |
| Traditional 5mm construction | Soupcan |
| Large bulk order | Soupcan or another bulk specialist |
| Very small order | Clinkies or another low-MOQ supplier |
| 3mm and 5mm choices | Clinkies |
| Foldable styles | Clinkies |
| Free design assistance | Soupcan |
| Artwork upload and proof | Clinkies |
| 100+ units | Compare both on final delivered price |
When Does a Soupcan Alternative Make Sense?
You probably don’t need to look for an alternative just for the sake of it.
Soupcan can make plenty of sense if you want a locally made, traditional 5mm holder in a larger quantity.
An alternative becomes more useful if you:
- need fewer than 50 holders
- want a foldable 3mm style
- want more choice in construction
- already have finished artwork
- want to test a small quantity first
- need to compare the final delivered cost
For example, a small hens party of 12 people has very different requirements from a business ordering 500 promotional holders.
The same supplier won’t always be the best fit for both.
What We’d Compare Before Ordering
If we were placing an order today, we wouldn’t choose purely on brand name or the cheapest headline price.
We’d compare these five things:
- How many do we actually need?
- What thickness and construction do we want?
- What is the full delivered price?
- How easy is the artwork process?
- Will they arrive comfortably before the event?
Once you answer those questions, the choice usually gets a lot easier.
Soupcan is a strong option for traditional Australian-made bulk stubby holders.
But if you need a smaller run or want more choice in holder style, it’s worth comparing alternatives such as Clinkies before placing the order. For a side-by-side view, read Clinkies vs Soupcan Stubby Holders: Which Is Better?
FAQ
What are some alternatives to Soupcan stubby holders?
Clinkies is one option for personalised stubby holders in Australia, particularly if you need smaller quantities or want a choice between different neoprene thicknesses and constructions. There are also other promotional merchandise suppliers that specialise in larger bulk orders.
Does Soupcan have a minimum order?
Soupcan’s current published bulk pricing begins at 50 units, although specific products and quotes may vary.
Can I order fewer than 50 custom stubby holders?
Yes. Some suppliers offer much smaller minimum quantities. Selected Clinkies products, for example, currently have a minimum order of one.
Are Soupcan stubby holders Australian made?
Yes. Soupcan prominently markets its custom stubby holders as 100% Australian made.
Are 3mm stubby holders worse than 5mm?
No. They serve different purposes. A 5mm holder is thicker and more structured, while a 3mm foldable holder is lighter and easier to store or pack for events.
What should I compare besides price?
Check minimum quantities, GST, freight, neoprene thickness, construction, design support, artwork proofs and turnaround time before making a decision.

