Cool Stubby is a well-established option for custom stubby holders in Australia.
They offer a broad range of products, including Australian-made premium styles, imported budget options, foldable holders, double-stitched holders and more. They also include free design support across their custom range.
So why would you look for a Cool Stubby alternative?
Usually, it comes down to one of a few things:
- you need fewer than 20 or 50 holders
- you want a faster turnaround
- you want to order directly online
- you want a different holder construction
- you want to compare the total delivered cost
- you want to test a small quantity first
If you’re shopping around, here are the main things we’d compare.
1. Start With the Minimum Order
This is probably the first thing to check.
Cool Stubby’s minimum order depends on the product.
For example:
- Foldable Stubby Holders: minimum 50
- Best Value Imported: minimum 50
- Double Stitched: minimum 50
- Slim Stubby Holders: minimum 20
That works well for larger weddings, businesses and sporting clubs.
But it can be less convenient if you only need:
- 8 for a hens weekend
- 12 for a birthday
- 15 for a family event
- 20 for a small wedding
- one sample before ordering 200
That’s where a lower-MOQ supplier such as Clinkies can be worth comparing.
Quick guide
| Quantity needed | What matters most |
|---|---|
| 1–10 | Low minimum order |
| 10–20 | Flexibility and total price |
| 20–50 | Compare product style and MOQ |
| 50–100 | Both Cool Stubby and alternatives are worth comparing |
| 100+ | Bulk price and delivery become more important |
For smaller events, the lowest unit price doesn’t mean much if you have to buy more than you need.
2. Check Whether the Product Is Australian Made or Imported
Cool Stubby has a fairly interesting range because it offers both.
Its Aussie Made Premium, Slim and Bottomless holders are printed and manufactured in Hobart, while several other ranges are produced through an offshore supplier.
For example, Cool Stubby clearly states that its Foldable and Best Value Imported products are sourced overseas.
This isn’t necessarily a quality issue.
It’s more about what matters to you.
Australian-made may be worth paying for if:
- local production matters to your business
- you’re buying for an Australian-made campaign
- shorter local production pathways matter
- you want local manufacturing as part of the story
Imported may make more sense if:
- price is the main priority
- you’re ordering a large quantity
- you have plenty of lead time
- you don’t specifically need local manufacturing
When comparing alternatives, make sure you’re comparing like with like.
3. Don’t Compare the “From” Price Without the Quantity
Cool Stubby currently advertises products from prices such as:
- Foldable from A$1.90
- Best Value Imported from A$2.70
- Aussie Made Premium from A$3.30
- Double Stitched from A$3.40
Those prices look very competitive.
But the lowest price usually applies to large quantities.
For example, the Foldable holder is:
- A$4.20 each at 50–99
- A$3.20 each at 100–199
- A$3.00 each at 200–499
- A$1.90 each at 2,000+
The Best Value Imported range similarly starts at A$4.50 each for 50–74 units and falls to A$2.75 at 1,000+.
So before choosing a supplier, compare the price at the quantity you actually need.
Not the homepage “from” price.
4. Compare What’s Included in the Price
Cool Stubby does a good job here.
Its Foldable and Best Value Imported prices include:
- GST
- custom design
- print setup
- full-colour sublimation
- standard delivery in Australia
That’s important because some competitors may advertise a lower unit price and then add:
- GST
- freight
- setup
- artwork
- express production
So when comparing Cool Stubby alternatives, the useful number is:
not simply:
price per holder
5. Look at Turnaround Time
This is where product choice can make a big difference.
Cool Stubby’s Foldable product currently has an estimated delivery time of around 4–5 weeks, and express delivery is not available.
The Best Value Imported range is currently listed at around 3–4 weeks.
By comparison, some locally made products can be faster. Cool Stubby’s Slim range states that urgent orders may sometimes be turned around in one or two days for an additional express charge.
So if your event date is close, don’t just choose the cheapest style.
Check whether the product can realistically arrive in time.
6. Think About the Holder Style
Cool Stubby has a broad range, which is one of its strengths.
Options include:
- foldable
- imported budget holders
- Aussie Made Premium
- double stitched
- bottomless
- zip-up
- wine glass coolers
That gives customers quite a lot of choice.
Clinkies takes a slightly different approach, with options focused around:
- 3mm foldable
- 3mm fully stitched
- 5mm standard
- 5mm overlocked
- slim styles
So if you’re looking for an alternative, don’t just ask:
“Who sells custom stubby holders?”
Ask:
“Who sells the type of stubby holder I actually want?”
7. Consider How You Want to Order
Cool Stubby uses a fairly traditional quote-and-design process.
You provide:
- quantity
- event date
- colours
- text
- logos or photos
and their team comes back with a quote and design for approval.
That works well if you want help with the artwork.
Other suppliers, including Clinkies, can be more direct for customers who already know what they want and prefer to order online.
Quote-based ordering may suit you if:
- you need design help
- you have a large business order
- you want someone to guide the process
Direct online ordering may suit you if:
- you already have artwork
- you want a small quantity
- you want to place the order immediately
- you prefer transparent quantity pricing
Neither process is better in every situation.
It really comes down to how involved you want the supplier to be.
One Cool Stubby Alternative: Clinkies
Clinkies is worth comparing if you still want personalised stubby holders but need more flexibility around quantity.
It can be particularly useful for:
- smaller weddings
- hens and bucks parties
- birthday groups
- test orders
- small business events
- customers who want both 3mm and 5mm choices
The biggest difference is that selected Clinkies products can be ordered from one piece rather than requiring 20 or 50.
That makes it easier to buy exactly what you need.
When Cool Stubby Makes More Sense
Cool Stubby is still a strong option if you want:
- Australian-made products
- a broad range of holder styles
- free design assistance
- larger quantities
- imported budget options
- traditional quote-based support
Their range is particularly strong if you already know you need at least 50.
When an Alternative Makes More Sense
An alternative may suit you better if:
- you need fewer than 20
- you want to test one or two first
- you need faster production
- you prefer direct online ordering
- you want more flexibility around small quantities
That doesn’t mean Cool Stubby is expensive or unsuitable.
It simply means their strongest products are designed around a different type of order.
What We’d Compare Before Ordering
Before choosing Cool Stubby or another supplier, we’d check:
- How many holders do I actually need?
- Is the product Australian made or imported?
- What is the price at my quantity?
- Does the price include GST and delivery?
- How long will production and delivery take?
- What holder style do I want?
- Do I prefer a quote or direct online ordering?
Once those questions are answered, the choice usually becomes pretty straightforward.
FAQ
What are some Cool Stubby alternatives?
Clinkies is one option if you need personalised stubby holders in smaller quantities or want different 3mm and 5mm constructions. Other Australian promotional suppliers may also suit larger bulk orders.
What is the minimum order for Cool Stubby?
It depends on the product. Several Cool Stubby ranges have a minimum of 50, while the Slim range currently starts at 20.
Are Cool Stubby holders Australian made?
Some are. Cool Stubby says its Aussie Made Premium, Slim and Bottomless ranges are manufactured in Hobart. Other ranges are imported.
Does Cool Stubby pricing include delivery?
For products such as the Foldable and Best Value Imported ranges, the published pricing includes standard Australian delivery as well as GST, design and setup.
How long do Cool Stubby orders take?
It depends on the range. Imported Foldable orders are currently listed at around 4–5 weeks, while Best Value Imported is around 3–4 weeks. Some locally made products can be faster.
Is Clinkies a good Cool Stubby alternative for small orders?
Yes. Clinkies is particularly worth comparing when you need fewer than Cool Stubby’s usual 20- or 50-unit minimums.
