CHF 35.- setup — machine setup, file handling and proof approval included
A photo mug for a personal gift, matt mugs for the office kitchen or an insulated mug for your commute: the right method depends on the model, design and intended use. This guide helps you understand the differences and prepare your order.
For special requests, we decorate existing models to suit your design: a matte mug in your brand colour, a different print position or understated engraving. We do not manufacture a new mug shape for this. Larger runs lower the unit cost because preparation and transport are spread across more pieces. For a few pieces and simple photo designs, the classic photo mug is the easier option.
Start with the use, then choose the material
For coffee at your desk, shape, feel and capacity come first. For travel, the closure, cleaning and insulation become more important. A lid alone does not make a mug vacuum insulated or automatically leakproof.
- White photo mug: For photos, illustrations and gradients. Our 340 ml photo mug has a surface suitable for sublimation.
- Matt logo mug: For the right mug colour and a clear company logo. Fiord Matt is a starting point; Grand offers a larger 450 ml capacity.
- Porcelain with a saucer: 220 ml Luna suits cappuccino, while 90 ml Manhattan suits espresso. The standard configuration prints the cup, not the saucer.
- Insulated mug: Orion has vacuum insulation and a click closure. Moon adds a tea strainer and carrying loop. Always check care and transport requirements for the specific model.
- Porcelain mug with a lid: Freedom Lock is double-walled, but vacuum insulation has not been confirmed.
- Glass or enamel: Max Supra is intended for cold drinks. The enamel mug is light and single-walled; hot drinks also heat its outer wall.
Which method suits your design?
| Method | Suitable for | What to check? |
|---|---|---|
| Sublimation | Photos, gradients and logos on suitably coated items | A light print area, the right coating and a limited print zone |
| Ceramic transfer printing | Logos on the ceramic and porcelain models offered | Specify print colours, area and sides; white counts as a colour |
| Laser engraving | Clear logos on suitable stainless steel mugs | The material tone replaces a freely chosen brand colour; contrast depends on the surface |
| Colour digital printing | Multicolour and larger designs on mugs offered with this option | Check the print area and care for each model; wraparound printing is not available on every item |
This overview helps you choose. It does not confirm that we can print any mug you bring in. Surface, coating and shape must suit the method. Available options are listed on each product.
Care instructions apply to the finished product
A durable engraving tells you nothing about the lid, seals or outer coating. Equally, sublimation does not automatically mean that every mug printed this way is suitable for every dishwasher.
- For our classic photo mug, we recommend hand washing with a soft sponge.
- The Fiord Matt version offered with ceramic transfer printing is suitable for domestic dishwashers. We discuss intensive hospitality use separately.
- For insulated mugs, we recommend gentle hand washing, particularly for lids and decoration.
- Wash enamel by hand and dry it. Metal mugs must not go in the microwave; dropping them can damage the enamel.
For cafés, canteens or restaurants, include wash temperature, detergent and usage in your brief. We do not state a universal number of guaranteed wash cycles.
Sublimation: photos and many colours on a light background
Sublimation uses heat to transfer the design into a suitable coating. It suits photos and gradients on a light surface. An ordinary ceramic mug without the right coating is not automatically suitable.
The photo mug has a maximum print area of 190 × 80 mm on the outside of the body. You can arrange several image elements or repeat a logo within this area. All design colours are included; the handle and inside stay white. The enamel mug offers a maximum area of 200 × 50 mm.
The 500 ml ceramic beer stein also offers a 190 × 70 mm print area. All artwork colours are included without a separate charge per colour.
How close can artwork go to the edge?
The edge of the print field is not automatically the edge of the cup. Backgrounds can extend to the edge of the supplied template, while important text and logos stay inside the safety margin. Print area, handles, seams and curves vary by model.
- Beer stein: The 500 ml ceramic stein has a 190 × 70 mm print field. Photos and backgrounds may extend to its edge; keep important elements at least 3 mm inside. The top, bottom, handle and inside remain white.
- Paper cup: The 250 ml cup uses a 231 × 123 mm rectangular template. The outside can carry a wraparound design. Respect the safety line and the reserved area for plastic-content marking. Do not assume seamless alignment across the glued seam. The inside and rolled rim are not additional free design areas.
- Small logo areas: The event cup has a 20 × 70 mm pad print area, quite different from a fully printed cup. The plastic insulated cup includes a one-colour logo up to 25 × 50 mm. Larger wraparound printing is checked separately.
We provide the right template and check your artwork before production. Technical guide lines must not appear in the final print file. About 300 dpi at print size is useful for photos; a phone photo is not unsuitable merely because it is a JPG.
Event cup or insulated travel companion?
For serving with collection and washing, the reusable event cup from 25 pieces is different from the full-colour paper cup from 500 pieces. Paper cups are disposable and have a PE lining, so they are not plastic-free.
The light, more affordable 300 ml double-walled plastic cup is available from 10 pieces and is not vacuum insulated. More volume and vacuum insulation come with the 600 ml handle-free tumbler and the 1.2 litre tumbler with handle and straw, both from 10 pieces. These stainless-steel models resist splashes, but are not leakproof. The manufacturer excludes milk drinks, carbonated drinks and alcohol for these models. That is model-specific guidance, not a general rule for all insulated cups.
For cappuccino at a table, an open ceramic or porcelain mug is suitable. For a travel cup, we confirm suitability for your drink. The lid, seals and printing matter when choosing care instructions too.
Ceramic transfer printing: logos on ceramic and porcelain
For the matt mugs and coffee sets in the shop, choose one to three print colours and one or two sides. With two sides, the standard configuration repeats the same design. Mug colour and print colours are separate choices.
A compact logo is easier to read on a small espresso cup than a full letterhead. We check fine lines and small lettering at the actual print size. Other areas, such as the inside, handle or saucer, are discussed separately for each model.
Engraving: a logo without applied ink
On suitable stainless steel mugs, the laser alters or removes the surface or coating. The design appears in the resulting material tone, so you cannot freely choose its colour. Exposed metal can stand out more strongly on black than on a silver surface.
On Orion and Moon you can configure a logo engraving up to 50 × 50 mm on one side. For colour designs, these models also offer digital printing on the designated body area. Ask us about individual names or additional engraving areas.
Digital printing, UV printing and the specifics of glass
Digital printing reproduces images and multiple colours without separating the design into individual logo print colours. With direct UV printing, UV light cures the ink. Whether the method works on a particular item and how to care for it depend on the surface and printing system.
Our Max Supra drinking glass is offered in the shop with transfer printing using ceramic colours, rather than UV printing as a default. We assess engraving and other designs separately. On transparent glass, the drink and background affect legibility. A dark logo looks different against water than against a dark drink.
Shape, surface and samples
A matt surface or a distinctive mug shape can support your brand better than a larger print. Compare handles, capacity and the effect of your colours too. We decorate existing models; shop prices do not include developing a new shape.
We distinguish between an undecorated product sample and a sample with your decoration. Costs, availability and timing are quoted in advance. Any credit towards a later order is agreed for that order. A screen visualisation does not replace an approved colour or material proof.
Compare quantities and costs properly
For individual gifts or small runs, photo mugs and enamel mugs are available from one piece. Matt ceramic mugs such as Fiord Matt and the Manhattan espresso set start at 36 pieces. Luna, Moon, Orion, Freedom Lock and Max Supra start at 24 pieces. Quantity increments vary and are shown in each calculator.
Larger runs spread preparation, transport and order handling across more pieces. Compare the configured item, including design, printed sides and quantity, rather than just the blank. The shop calculates each run with the same design throughout. We discuss mixed colours, names and multiple designs separately.
The basic setup charge of CHF 35.- is added once per order in the cart. VAT, shipping and any selected artwork service are shown separately. The current shop configuration or your individual quote is binding.
Planning example: a coordinated look at coffee time
Suppose you want logo mugs for your meeting room. You consider Luna with a saucer for cappuccino and guests. For a larger coffee at the desk, you compare Fiord Matt and Grand. This is a planning example, not a customer reference.
Before ordering, specify the quantity per model, mug colour, logo and care requirements. If feel matters, request a sample first. The specification, costs and deadline are then confirmed. This helps you look beyond the lowest unit price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order just one mug?
Yes. The white photo mug and the enamel mug are available from one piece. Every item in a run receives the same design. We prepare a suitable quote for different names or designs.
Which file should I use for my logo or photo?
For logos, vector files in PDF, SVG, EPS or AI format are ideal. For photos, use a high-resolution JPG or PNG. Around 300 dpi at the actual print size is a good starting point. We check fine lines, small lettering and placement before production.
Can the logo go inside or on the handle?
Special print positions are possible on selected models and with selected methods. These are checked and quoted separately. The inside and handle of the classic photo mug stay unprinted.
How much does a sample cost?
That depends on whether you need an undecorated product sample or a sample with your decoration. We quote costs and timing in advance. Credit towards a later order applies only if agreed in the quote.
Can I order mugs for a commercial dishwasher?
Tell us about this requirement before ordering. The specific model and finished decoration must be suitable. A general statement about the printing method does not replace checking that specification.
What lead time should I allow?
Timing depends on the model, colour, quantity, decoration, artwork approval and transport. Send us your preferred date early. We will confirm what is possible for your order.
Which mug suits your plans?
Send us your design, preferred quantity and intended use. We will help you agree the model, decoration and any special requirements.
For more materials and methods, see our promotional products guide.
