Maybe you want to create a personal birthday gift with a favorite photo. Or you're preparing giveaways for a trade show and need something that pops. It could even be a beer mug for the bachelor party or a travel mug with that one quote that makes your morning commute a bit more tolerable.

That's where custom mug printing comes in. And lucky for you, it's not as complicated as it may sound.

We'll show you how to print on a mug, explain your options, and help you pick the best method for your needs.

Types of Mugs for Printing

Before you even start printing, you've got one important choice to make: what kind of mug are you printing on?

Because not all mugs are created equal. The material you choose plays a big role in which printing method you'll be able to use. So let's break it down.

1. Ceramic Mugs

You've seen these everywhere. They're the classic.

Ceramic mugs are ideal for sublimation printing, but they do need a special coating to hold the ink. If you're going for bright, colorful photo prints or big batches of promotional giveaways, this is usually your best bet.

2. Glass Mugs

It works well with UV printing. Its transparent or frosted surfaces allow creative designs.

3. Metal Mugs

Typically made of stainless steel or aluminum. Compatible with UV printing and laser engraving. Great for outdoor and camping themes.

4. Plastic Mugs

Lightweight and durable, often used for children's products. Best printed with UV or pad printing methods.

5. Enamel Mugs

Retro-style metal mugs coated with enamel. Typically printed using screen or UV printing techniques. Require low-heat or no-heat printing to preserve the surface.

How to Print on A Mug: 5 Easy Step

There are many method to print on a mug, we will take uv printing method as example here. With UV printing technology development, it is becoming more affordable and easy to use.

Let's take a look at how the process works using a UV printer like the eufyMake E1.

Step #1: Prepare Your Design

Prepare your artwork using design software, ensuring the file is high-resolution and adapted to the mug's printable area.

UV printers can handle intricate, full-color, even photo-realistic designs with sharp clarity.

Step #2: Set Up the Printer

Now it's time to get the mug into place.

You simply put the mug onto the rotary attachment inside the printer.

Give it a gentle rock to make sure it's secure and centered.

Step #3: Let the Software Measure the Mug

Next, let's move over to the software side.

Many UV printers need complicated RIP software, but not here.

With eufyMake Studio, Simply:

1. Click Print bed > Rotary
2. Click Auto Measure > Select the Shape

The machine will automatically measure your mug's height for accurate printing.

Step #4. Position Your Design in the Software

Then you just upload and drop your design into the workspace.

The software shows a 3D preview of your mug, so you can see exactly how the design wraps around it.

This makes it easy to position your design exactly where you want it.

Step #5. Start Printing

Once everything is in place, click "Print" in the software and let the machine do the rest.

That's it! You'll have a beautifully printed mug.

We also have a video showing how to print on a tumblers. Hope this makes the process clearer:

Popular Mug Printing Methods and Processes

Of course, UV printing isn't your only option for custom mug printing.

Let's take a closer look at the most common mug printing methods you'll find today.

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing is a popular method used to create high-quality, full-color designs on mugs. This technique uses sublimation ink and a heat press to transfer images onto a polymer-coated surface.

How It Works:

You print your design onto special transfer paper using sublimation ink. That paper wraps around a polymer-coated mug, which goes into a heat press (around 400°F) for a few minutes. The heat turns the ink into gas, bonding it directly to the mug's surface.

Pros	Cons
High-resolution and vibrant colors.	Only works on polyester-coated surfaces
Dishwasher and microwave safe.	Requires light-colored mugs for accurate color reproduction
Permanent print that won't peel or crack.	Higher initial investment for the heat press and sublimation printer

Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the oldest and most cost-effective techniques for printing simple designs in bulk. It involves using a mesh screen and ink to print designs layer by layer.

How It Works:

In screen printing, a stencil of the design is created on a mesh screen, and ink is pushed through the screen onto the mug's surface. Each color in the design requires a separate screen and printing pass. Once the design is applied, the mug is dried using air or heat to cure the ink.

Pros	Cons
Very economical for high-volume orders	Not suitable for detailed, multicolor images
Long-lasting prints if cured properly	Time-consuming for complex designs
Simple, reliable process with minimal technical setup	Requires large storage space for screens

UV DTF Printing

UV DTF (Direct to Film) printing takes the best of UV printing and makes it more flexible. Instead of printing directly onto your mug, you print your design onto a special film first.

If you're printing mugs at home or running a small business, UV DTF lets you create professional results without extra gear like a heat press. You'll still get bright, long-lasting prints that stick well and resist fading.

Things to keep in mind

Since this process adds a transfer step, you'll want to handle the film carefully during application. Also, white ink is used more heavily, especially when printing on dark surfaces. But overall, UV DTF is a smart way to get around the limitations of direct printing while keeping the same professional look and feel.

Here’s another video about using UV DTF printing for mugs.

Pad Printing

Pad printing is a technique where ink is transferred from an etched plate to a mug surface via a soft silicone pad. It's great for printing on uneven surfaces and small items.

How It Works:

In pad printing, a steel or polymer plate is etched with the design, then ink is applied to the plate and picked up by a flexible silicone pad. The pad presses onto the mug, transferring the ink with precision, even on curved or irregular surfaces.

Pros	Cons
Can print on curved and irregular surfaces	Limited to small and simple designs
Fast production speed	Not suitable for photo-quality images
Good for repetitive, low-detail designs	Requires specialized pads for each shape

Heat Transfer Printing

This method uses ink-jet or laser-printed transfer paper to transfer designs onto mugs with the help of heat. It's similar to sublimation but works on coated and sometimes uncoated mugs.

How It Works:

In heat transfer printing, the design is printed onto special heat transfer paper, then wrapped around the mug and placed in a heat press. The applied heat activates the adhesive layer on the paper, causing the design to stick securely to the mug's surface.

• Pros: This method is simple and budget-friendly, making it a great choice for beginners. It works on a variety of coated mug types and is especially suitable for short-term use or special events where longevity isn't a top priority.
• Cons: On the downside, the results aren't as durable as sublimation or UV printing. Designs may start to fade or peel with repeated washing, and the image resolution is generally lower compared to what UV printing can achieve.

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving etches designs into the surface of the mug using a focused laser beam. It's used more for metal mugs and creates a premium, tactile finish.

How It Works:

In laser engraving, a laser beam removes the top layer of the mug's surface, creating a permanent mark without the use of ink. This method is commonly used on stainless steel or powder-coated mugs for a clean, durable finish.

• Pros: Laser engraving is known for its exceptional durability and permanence, making it ideal for long-term use. Since it doesn't rely on ink, there's no risk of fading or peeling over time. The final result has an elegant, professional appearance that adds a premium touch to any item.
• Cons: However, this method does come with some limitations. It only produces a monochrome or etched finish, which may not suit every design need. The initial cost of laser engraving equipment can be quite high, and the technique generally allows for less design complexity compared to full-colour printing methods.

Which Mug Printing Method is Best?

Let's break it down at a glance:

What Machine do you Need to Print on Mugs?

When printing on mugs, it's tricky to keep the walls straight and parallel for a flat, even print. If the mug isn't perfectly level, the design can look crooked or blurry.

If you're serious about custom mug printing, the eufyMake E1 Mug Printing Machine makes the whole process easier.

Instead of you trying to level the mug by hand, it automatically adjusts the mug's angle so the print head always stays flat to the surface.

That way, you don't have to worry about uneven prints or alignment issues on the curved surface.

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Custom Mug Printing Has Never Been Easier

With the right approach, customize mugs is easy and rewarding.

From custom printed mugs for brands to custom picture mugs for friends, there's a method for every project and every budget.

And if you want a flexible, high-quality solution? UV printing with the eufyMake E1 is ready to take your mugs (and your ideas) to the next level.

Happy printing!