Printed Mugs for Promotion

Certainly not a mug's game

No it's not the PC, no it's not the phone. It's not even the small items of office equipment, such as scissors or a stapler, that are hidden out of sight so they can't be 'borrowed' never to be returned.

The item that rightfully takes pride of place is the humble office mug. And there's good reason why this innocent looking item has such a strangle hold on our affections. In a world where hot desking, flexible working and open plan offices have become the norm, people want something familiar.

And what can be more familiar or comforting than having a spot of tea or coffee in your own mug, rather than grabbing any old one from out of a cupboard when (to be quite honest) you don't know where it's been.

Look on any desk and it won't be difficult to spot the user's prized possession.

The other strange thing about having a mug of your own is that no matter how much you try and look after it you never have it for long because, like your scissors and your stapler, it often goes walkabout never to be seen again. It is for good reason therefore that mugs are one of the most successful items of promotional merchandise. They are functional, they are useful, and people do get very attached to them. Add to that the impressive variety of mugs that are available and it's also possible to see how a mug can be used as a very convenient branding tool for your company.

It's no longer simply a question of getting your logo put on a mug, however, there are many more things to consider. For example, is your mug going to be ceramic or made of bone china or plastic? Each of these materials has its uses and plastic may well be much tougher than bone china, but is it going to be the right material to convey everything you want to about your brand? The again if your mug is going to be part of an expensive picnic set then perhaps a well crafted plastic mug is much more sensible than a bone china one that could break, and therefore just the thing you should be going for.

There's also the issue of how to brand your mug. Obviously there's enough space on a mug to place a very big logo, but what about considering a 'magic' mug that only reveals your logo, your key message, or a witty slogan when it gets hot?

One of the reasons mugs are so popular as promotional merchandise items is because as well as being useful and desirable, from the point of view of whoever is sending the mug in the first place, they are so versatile. The most important thing to do if you're in doubt is to ask your promotional merchandise supplier who should be able to make sure you get the mug that's right for you.

Then you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that your company will be in the minds of your key audience as they're gratefully drinking from your mug full of lovely tea.

Picking the perfect mug

Ceramic mugs come in all shapes, colours and sizes. Consider your audience carefully to make sure you get the mug that is best suited to them.

Bone china mugs are considered to be 'more refined' than ceramic ones - and they can be quite different to drink from. Once again you have to consider who you'll be sending your mugs to in order to determine if a bone china mug is right for them.

Thermoplastic mugs are tough and are good at keeping liquids hot or cold. You might choose to send one of these mugs for novelty value or if you need a mug that can really take some hard knocks.

It's worth considering if the mug you are going to purchase can be washed in a dishwasher. Many companies now use dishwashers and you don't want your carefully selected item to be destroyed if it's popped in a dishwasher.

The same applies for making sure your mug is microwave friendly. In today's busy working environment people often reheat coffee or tea in a microwave or even make soup in a mug. You need to consider if your mug will be tough enough for the task.

Top Tips for buying mugs

The law of buying promotional supplies is you get what you pay for. Always get the best your budget will allow.

Any piece of promotional merchandise you buy should reflect the values of your company - make sure the merchandise you choose reflects your brand values well. As well as conveying the right message about your brand you should never forget who will be using the mug you send. Make sure you consider your audience so the mug you send is perfectly suited to their needs.

Be original. The more unique the mug is, the more likely the user will be to use it - remember, the recipient of your mug will probably already be using one so yours has got to be that much better in order to convince them to use yours!

The nature of the promotional merchandise industry is that lead times can often be tight. Make sure you give yourself as much time as possible because then you are much more likely to get exactly what you are looking for. Mugs are very functional, and they provide an excellent space to identify your brand. Use the space well to reinforce your company's message.

Remember, to ask Gift Selection if you're not sure about what you want. They're sure to be able to come up with some great ideas that are perfectly suited to your needs.

Cambridge Coffee Mugs Popular, chunky earthenware coffee mug. The Cambridge comes in white, black, cobalt blue, royal blue, burgundy, grey, cream or lime green. Your message is printed all round the mug. Print area: - 185 x 70mm.

Sparta Coffee Mugs Attractive earthenware mug. Available in white, black or cobalt blue. Your message is printed all round the mug. Print area: - 185 x 70mm.

Clarence Tankards Earthenware tankard with large print area and a wide range of colours (or a mixture) to choose from - white, yellow, black, sky, aqua, pea green, orange or a rich royal blue, all with white interiors. Print area: 215 x 70mm.

Rio Beakers An earthenware mug that's different and available in white, sunshine, lime green, blue, or coral with white inside. Your message is printed on one side of the mug either on the outside or inside. Print area: 30 x 30mm.

Heat Sensitive Mugs Cambridge earthenware mug with your promotional message hidden - until hot coffee is poured in when all is revealed! The special ink covers most of the mug surface and your message is underneath this heat sensitive covering. Colours of special covering ink: red 032, 186 or warm red, bright pink 227, orange 172, aqua 2995, royal 294, dark green 560, mid brown 4975 or black. Print area: 185 x 70mm.

Photo Mugs Cambridge earthenware mug decorated with your photo all the way round. A different process, dye sublimation is used and print coverage can be almost complete. Print area: 205 x 90mm. No origination charge on this item.

Bone China Mugs Available in white only.Your message is printed right around the mug. Print area: 195 x 70mm.