How Printed Mugs Are Made

Not all printed mugs are equal; it depends on the printing method used. The majority of printed mugs are quite cheap and that means the decoration on them will probably not last for more than six months to a year before it starts to degrade. It can fade or crack or simply chip off in parts. The mug can still be used - it just won't look as good.

If you want the printing on your mug to last for years in good condition, you need to find out what printing method the company uses. Pad printing is the cheapest option but the quality of the print will start to degrade in around 6 months. Screen-printing looks really good, but the print is cured in an oven rather than a kiln, so there can still be issues with the quality in several months time, especially if they are used a lot.

A kiln-fired decoration will last for the life of the mug. After the print has been applied, the mug is re-fired in a kiln set to some hundreds of degrees. This fuses the decoration into the glaze on the mug, giving a lasting decoration that will not fade, scratch or chip. Branded coffee mugs in restaurants are treated in this way. But while it will last for years, the colour match is not all it could be, so it's up to you to make the choice.

By: Mel C

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Mel writes about printed mugs, personalised mugs and other shopping topics.