Personalised mugs for businesses: how to choose type and technique

A personalised mug is one of those rare items that slips easily into people's working routine. Used several times a day, at the desk, in meetings or in the office kitchen, a mug with your company logo puts the brand in front of the person who received it and everyone around them, day after day, at no extra cost.

Industry figures confirm that potential. According to the ASI 2023 Ad Impressions Study, a drinkware item generates an average of 3,162 impressions over its lifetime: for a $10 travel mug, that works out at around a third of a cent per impression. The same study found that 63% of consumers keep and use this type of item for at least a year.

In this article, you will find the types of personalised mugs businesses use most, the personalisation techniques suited to each material, the return you can expect and the situations in which a mug makes most sense as a corporate gift.

Why are personalised mugs one of the most effective corporate gifts?

Because they are part of a daily habit. People drink coffee, tea or water several times a day, in many settings: at the office, in meetings, at home or on the move. A quality mug goes with the recipient to all of them, for years.

Drinkware, a category that includes mugs, tumblers, travel mugs and bottles, is among the promotional products with the highest daily use. According to ASI, 30% of consumers say they are more likely to do business with a company that gives them a branded drinkware item.

There is also a multiplier effect: in the office kitchen or a meeting room, the mug is seen by colleagues, visitors and clients, not just by the person who received it.

What types of personalised mugs are available for businesses?

The five types businesses choose most are ceramic mugs, travel mugs, tumblers, metal mugs and eco-friendly mugs. The right choice depends on where the mug will be used and the image the brand wants to convey.

Personalised ceramic mugs

Personalised ceramic mugs are the classic office gift, found in the kitchen, on desks and in meetings. Durable and with a generous surface for a logo and a message, they come in a range of colours and capacities, such as 320 ml, 400 ml or 450 ml. Widely used, they are seen by every employee and visitor, not just the recipient.

Personalised travel mugs

With a leak-proof lid, they are ideal for employees and clients who work on the move or in hybrid roles. They associate the brand with practicality and an active professional lifestyle, and they travel with the recipient in the car, on public transport and between client visits, extending the brand's reach.

Personalised tumblers

Tumblers keep drinks hot or cold for hours and have a high perceived value. Double-walled stainless steel models with leak-proof lids are among the most requested by businesses for gifts to clients and employees.

Personalised metal mugs

Personalised stainless steel or aluminium mugs are durable, look premium and take laser engraving well. For brands with a premium positioning, a metal mug conveys quality before a single word is said, and it is widely used in executive gift sets and campaigns for key clients.

Eco-friendly personalised mugs

Eco-friendly personalised mugs in recycled stainless steel, glass, rPET or other recycled materials meet growing demand for sustainability. According to the PPAI Product Power 2026 study, 68% of consumers name recycled or reusable materials as their top sustainability preference.

For companies with ESG commitments or procurement processes with environmental criteria, an eco-friendly mug is a natural extension of the brand's positioning. It is worth checking the composition of each model, however: bamboo fibre mugs mixed with plastic, such as melamine, were withdrawn from the EU market for failing to meet food contact rules. Generic environmental claims such as "biodegradable" or "eco-friendly" also need evidence: in the UK under the CMA's Green Claims Code, and in the European Union since September 2026.

Best Of Gifts offers these and many other personalised mug models, with a wide range of personalisation techniques to suit different objectives, budgets and corporate campaigns. You can order directly on the website, quickly, easily and independently.

Which personalisation techniques are best for mugs?

Personalised mugs for businesses can carry a logo using at least six techniques: sublimation, sublimation transfer, rotary screen printing, rotary laser engraving, rotary UV printing and UV DTF. The choice depends on the material: sublimation for white ceramic, laser for metal and rotary printing for full-colour designs on cylindrical surfaces.

Sublimation

The ink becomes part of the mug's surface and reproduces colours and gradients in photographic quality, permanently, without peeling or fading in the wash. It is the benchmark technique for white ceramic mugs. At Best Of Gifts, sublimation is carried out in-house, with quality control on every piece.

Sublimation transfer

It keeps the same colour quality as direct sublimation and suits larger production runs or items where direct sublimation is not technically possible.

Rotary screen printing

It prints the logo evenly on cylindrical surfaces, with good adhesion and high resistance to wear. It is ideal for designs of up to four colours and for large quantities, with a very competitive unit cost.

Rotary laser engraving

It engraves the logo directly into the surface, creating a discreet, sophisticated and permanent finish with no risk of wear. It is the best technique for tumblers, stainless steel mugs and items with a high perceived value.

Rotary UV printing

It prints directly onto cylindrical surfaces with UV ink, reproducing high-definition images, intense colours and fine detail. It suits mugs and tumblers with more elaborate designs.

UV DTF

It reproduces highly detailed designs, with gradients and multiple colours, with no colour minimums. It is a good option for creative projects and individual personalisation, such as each employee's name.

What return do personalised mugs deliver for a brand?

A mug's return is measured by how long it is used and how many people see it. With 3,162 impressions over its lifetime, according to ASI, and 63% of recipients keeping the item for at least a year, the cost per impression falls to a fraction of a penny.

A simple calculation shows the scale: a mug used once every working day for a year adds up to around 230 uses, and each one, in a meeting room or the office kitchen, can be seen by several people. The more durable the mug and the more visible the place where it is used, the greater the return.

The durability of the personalisation matters as much as that of the mug: a print that fades in the wash cuts that return short. That is why choosing the right technique for each material is as important as choosing the mug itself.

Which trends are shaping personalised mugs for businesses?

Three trends are shaping how businesses choose personalised mugs today:

1. Sophistication: buyers are increasingly looking for stainless steel tumblers and travel mugs with leak-proof lids, which have a higher perceived value than a standard ceramic mug.

2. Sustainability: recycled stainless steel, glass and rPET are gaining ground, in line with consumer preference for recycled or reusable materials.

3. Digital integration: a QR code printed next to the logo takes the recipient to the company's website, a campaign or a video, and makes it possible to measure interest after distribution.

For mugs, this means that choosing the material is a strategic marketing decision, not just a question of environmental positioning.

When should businesses use personalised mugs?

Mugs work at almost every stage of a company's relationship with employees and clients, but there are four occasions where they make particular sense.

Welcome kits for new employees

A personalised mug in an onboarding kit conveys culture and belonging from day one. Together with a personalised pen and notepad, it creates a consistent kit that shows the company invests in details and in people.

Gifts for clients and partners

A quality mug with the company logo is well received and stays in the recipient's workspace for a long time. In a premium format, such as a laser-engraved stainless steel tumbler or a travel mug in a presentation box, it becomes a corporate gift with a high perceived value.

Corporate events and training sessions

Handed out at the start of an event, mugs are used throughout the day and go with participants to the office, home or the gym. It is a gift that starts working for the brand on the day itself and keeps going for years.

End-of-year and recognition campaigns

With a seasonal design or a personalised message, mugs are one of the most cost-effective corporate Christmas gifts. An end-of-year kit with a mug, notepad and pen in personalised packaging is a simple, useful corporate gift that is easy to distribute.

Where can you order personalised mugs for businesses with delivery across Europe and the UK?

Best Of Gifts is a Portuguese company that manufactures, personalises and delivers corporate gifts across Europe and the UK, with more than 25 years of experience and a catalogue of more than 25,000 products and textiles. Its mug range includes ceramic and metal mugs, travel mugs, tumblers and eco-friendly options, personalised with techniques such as in-house sublimation, rotary laser engraving, rotary screen printing and rotary UV printing.

You can place your entire order directly on the website, with no minimum quantity. The digital mock-up is sent within 24 hours and catalogue mugs are delivered within 10 working days of mock-up approval. For orders of €1,000 or more, you can deal directly with the sales team to obtain special terms.

Frequently asked questions about personalised mugs for businesses

What is the most durable personalisation technique for mugs?

It depends on the material. On ceramic mugs, sublimation is the most durable because the ink becomes part of the surface and does not peel off in the wash; on tumblers and stainless steel mugs, rotary laser engraving gives a permanent mark.

What capacity is most popular for personalised office mugs?

In the office, the most popular capacities are 320 ml and 400 to 450 ml; for travel mugs and tumblers, 350 to 500 ml formats are the most versatile. People who mainly drink coffee prefer smaller sizes, while those who travel a lot prefer larger insulated tumblers.

Can I choose eco-friendly mugs for ESG reporting?

Yes. Choose models with the material and recycled content clearly identified, such as recycled stainless steel or rPET, and check the certification of each material before ordering. Environmental claims must be backed by evidence both in the UK and in the European Union, so this information is essential for sustainability reports.

How long does a quality personalised mug last?

A quality ceramic mug or stainless steel tumbler lasts for several years with regular use. The longer it stays in use, the lower the cost per impression and the higher the return on investment.

Can I order just a few personalised mugs?

Yes. At Best Of Gifts, there is no minimum order quantity: you can order a few units or a large quantity directly on the website, with a digital mock-up within 24 hours and delivery within 10 working days of mock-up approval, across Europe and the UK.