Promotional Mugs
When it comes to Promotional Mugs what do you need to know to make the best possible impact and maximise your marketing budget. Well promotional mugs are one of the most popular pieces of merchandise within the marketing managers toolkit. There are many types to consider as they vary in terms of not just the material used be it ceramic, china or plastic, but in the method of imprint which can include a screen print of full colour CMYK process. Off course there are also novelty mugs available with ‘heat and reveal’ images and a host of shapes and sizes. Our complete range of promotional mugs includes:
- Bone China Mugs
- Ceramic and Earthenware Mugs
- Plastic Mugs
- Recycled Plastic Mugs
- Coffee Mugs
- Travel and Thermos Mugs
- Tea sets – just to keep everything in one place
Ceramic and earthernware mugs are the most favourite type. Their heat retention properties and imprint facilities make them the promotional mugs of choice today. Plastic mugs are also growing in popularity, especially recycled plastic mugs made from recycled plastic materials.
Branded Personalised Mugs
So what do you need to consider when choosing a promotional mug?
Delivery Timescales
Most promotional mugs can be shipped branded within five to ten working days. Express delivery services are available but with an expedite fee applicable. Most mugs are manufactured in the UK allowing a fast turnaround. Large orders can be sourced from factories in the Far East to get a price advantage but this can lead to delivery times of six to eight weeks. As heavy items, it makes sense to use sea freight for import shipments rather than air freight.
Environmentally Friendly Options
The green element really comes into its own with plastic mugs which can be made from recycled materials such as plastic bottles. There are far fewer ECO options when it comes to ceramic or bone china. The best that we can sometimes offer in this regard is to use an ISO14001 approved mug source.
Quantities and Pricing
The minimum order quantity (MOQ) is typically is fifty pieces. Some mug quantities are sold in a ‘bakers dozen’ so expect some odd quantity price breaks like ceramic mugs which can start at seventy two pieces.
Plain Stock Mugs
Plain stock is available but invariably an imprint is wanted and as a low cost print provider, clients nearly always turn to Redbows for their personalised mugs.
Mug Shape and Size
Mugs tend to be sized by the volume of liquid they will hold. For example 30cl or 35cl. Also shapes are important and various ceramics manufacturers use different names to reflect the shapes. Examples would include Windor Mugs and Balmoral Mugs or Bell Mugs, Marrow Mugs and Cambridge Mugs. The mug name may also include the imprint process such as a Durham Photo Mug (Durham Mug shape with a Photo effect imprint).
Branding and Personalisation
The main keywords to use with promotional mugs and their imprint are ‘full wrap’ and ‘part wrap’. As you can imagine this applies to the wrapping of your imprint around the mug from and to the handle (full wrap) or to part of the mug in space in between (a part wrap). The method of personalisation is also important. Imprints applied onto a plastic mug are not as well sealed as one printed onto a ceramic mug under a glaze which is then fired in an oven. Mugs can also vary (and this is reflected in the price) in terms of the colour imprint process used, and the colour of the mugs themselves. Photo mugs are very popular when a full colour imprint image is required. The least expensive promotional mugs use a single colour imprint on a standard colour mug. For this reason clients with logos using multiple colours and tones may be asked to provide a ‘negative’ or single colour logo. Redbows can generate this through its Design Studio if required.
Bespoke, Custom and Novelty Mugs
It is unusual for a new shaped mug to be introduced for a client. For this to happen the volumes required must run into the thousands and the client will be liable for any associated extra costs like a dedicated mould and machine set up costs. Novelty mugs tend to encompass ‘heat and reveal’ options where one image or imprint message shows itself when a hot liquid is poured into the mug and which then disappears as the mug cools.
Packing
Mugs are delicate items and it is normally for them to be supplied packed into card board outers with a foam insert. Plasic mugs may just have a cardboard outer. The packed mugs will then either be placed into a larger cardboard box or shrink wrapped to a pallet. Pallets are used due to the high weight involved and this can require off-loading facilities at the final destination.
Please let us know if you think we need to add anything further to this guide – email our marketing team.
Further Information On Personalised Branded Mugs
Click promotional mugs to see the best priced mugs and products on our Essential Corporate Gifts website or visit the Promotional Gifts Store for a wider selection of branded personalised mugs
If you cannot find the mugs you want let our Promotional Gifts Consultants to source them for you. Please complete our enquiry form or email us or call our Promotional Gifts Consultants direct on 0845 8386 368.
Click Promotional Gifts Buyers Guides to see the full index of Buyers Guides we publish on the Redbows website.
