How to Print Mugs on Demand & Top 5 Suppliers (2024)
Imagine sipping your morning coffee from a mug adorned with your favorite quote, a whimsical illustration, or a cherished memory. With personalized sip of joy – print-on-demand mugs, the possibilities are endless, limited only by the boundless expanses of your imagination.
Print-on-demand mugs are not mere vessels for beverages; they are stories waiting to be told, silent companions that bear witness to your daily triumphs and quiet reflections. Whether you seek to capture a fleeting moment, immortalize a cherished bond, or simply indulge in a touch of personal whimsy, print-on-demand mugs provide the perfect canvas for your creative expression.
Thanks to the intersection of design and technology, print-on-demand mugs let us change the way we enjoy our favorite beverages while also using items that are very clearly ours.
Let’s take a look at why print-on-demand mugs are so popular and how you can make your dropshipping business in personalized products more profitable!
Why Print-On-Demand Mugs are Popular in 2024?
In 2023, print-on-demand mugs have surged in popularity, driven by the widespread desire for personalization. These mugs offer a unique channel for self-expression, supported by user-friendly design tools and print-on-demand platforms. Beyond personal use, custom mugs serve as a thoughtful and cost-effective gift option for diverse occasions, leveraging a wide range of styles, materials, and sizes to accommodate various preferences.
Considering the growing market for print-on-demand mugs, upfront costs, and inventory management associated with these cups, entrepreneurs are drawn to tapping into this thriving e-commerce market. It is important to understand that the market for print-on-demand mugs thrives on the perfect blend of creativity, sentiment, and functionality, making them a versatile choice for different needs and occasions.
1. Personalized Gifts
Print-on-demand mugs are a popular choice for personalized gifts. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion, custom mugs allow you to create thoughtful and unique presents by incorporating personal messages, photos, or inside jokes.
2. Corporate Branding
Businesses often use print-on-demand mugs as part of their branding strategy. These mugs can be customized with company logos, slogans, or colors, serving as promotional items during events, giveaways, or as employee gifts. They help reinforce brand identity and create a sense of unity among team members.
3. Memorable Events
Print-on-demand mugs are frequently employed to commemorate significant events such as weddings, graduations, or family reunions. Couples can design wedding mugs as keepsakes for guests, while graduates may receive mugs adorned with their alma mater’s logo and graduation year.
4. Promotional Merchandise
Musicians, artists, and other content creators often use print-on-demand mugs as promotional merchandise. Fans appreciate the opportunity to support their favorite creators while receiving a functional and personalized item featuring unique designs, lyrics, or artwork.
5. Office Culture and Morale
Within the workplace, customized mugs contribute to a positive office culture. Companies may distribute branded mugs to employees, creating a sense of belonging and pride. These mugs serve not only as practical tools in the office kitchen but also as tokens of appreciation.
6. Personal Expression
Beyond special occasions and business use, many individuals simply enjoy expressing their personal style through custom mugs. Whether featuring favorite quotes, artistic designs, or photos of loved ones, these mugs become an extension of one’s personality, adding a touch of individuality to daily routines. For example, with print-on-demand coffee mugs, you can follow through your daily routine – which may be the same as everyone else’s – while making it specifically about yourself.
How to Designing Your Own Mug?
So how do you get the perfect custom mug for yourself or your customers? The free to use print-on-demand company, Inkedjoy, will have the option for mugs, so you can simply head over to the website and get it done.
Designing your mug with Inkedjoy is a seamless process, allowing you to unleash your creativity and enjoy a one-of-a-kind beverage experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Step 1: Register on Inkedjoy
The journey begins with a simple registration process on the Inkedjoy platform. Head to the website and sign up for an account. Provide the necessary details, and voila – you’re now ready to embark on the exciting journey of customizing your own mug.
Step 2: Activate the Account with Code
To ensure the security of your account, Inkedjoy employs an activation code. Once you’ve registered, check your email for the activation code. Enter this code on the website to activate your account and gain full access to the customization features.
Step 3: Choose a Cup
Inkedjoy offers a variety of mug options to suit your preferences. Select from travel cups for those on the go, morphing cups that reveal hidden designs when filled with hot liquid, or classic ceramic cups for a timeless touch. Each cup type brings its own charm to the customization process.
Step 4: Design Your Product
Now comes the fun part – designing your mug! Let your imagination run wild as you fill colors, add images, and incorporate texts. The user-friendly design interface allows you to experiment with various elements, ensuring your mug becomes a true reflection of your style and taste. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a vibrant, eclectic design, the possibilities are endless.
Step 5: Push to Store/Add to Cart
Once you’re satisfied with your masterpiece, it’s time to bring it to life. For dropshippers or retailers, select “Push to Store” to seamlessly integrate the customized mug into your inventory. If you’re a personal buyer, opt for “Add to Cart” to secure your unique mug for personal use. The secure checkout ensures a smooth transaction. Soon, whether as part of your inventory or daily routine, your personalized mug will be on its way, ready to add a touch of uniqueness to your life.
Top 5 Print-on-Demand Mug Suppliers
Several print-on-demand suppliers offer printing for mugs. Here are some of the best ones.
1. Inkedjoy
Inkedjoy emerges as a leading player in the print-on-demand landscape, offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored for businesses and individuals alike. Boasting an expansive product catalog of over 1500 customizable items, the platform covers a diverse range, including mugs, hoodies, dresses, swimsuits, shoes, and more. The user experience is enhanced by a user-friendly interface that imposes no registration fees, making it accessible to all.
Inkedjoy’s pricing model is notably competitive, featuring affordable items with t-shirts priced between $5 and $10. The platform’s commitment to quality is evident through its extensive quality assurance process, ensuring customer satisfaction. Inkedjoy doesn’t just stop at providing products; it offers branding services with plans for both beginners and experts, encompassing custom labeling, hangtags, packing bags, and gift cards.
The platform’s shipping and order fulfillment options are varied, providing customers with choices and a shipping guarantee for different countries. With seamless integrations with major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, and the added benefit of print-on-demand dropshipping services, Inkedjoy stands out as a versatile and reliable partner for those looking to enter the print-on-demand market.
2. Printful
Printful, a leading print-on-demand platform, provides an affordable paid plan at $24.99/month, offering access to a diverse product range exceeding 300 items. With fulfillment centers across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Spain, the USA, and the UK, Printful ensures efficient global shipping. The platform stands out with extensive branding options, including inside labels, outside labels, and sleeve printing, coupled with diverse packaging choices such as custom packaging, white-label packaging, and order tracking.
Printful simplifies the design process with a range of tools, including a product mockup generator, embroidery mockup generator, text tool, clipart tool, MerchShare, and a product personalization tool. Integration is seamless with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and online marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Storenvy. Overall, Printful empowers businesses with a comprehensive suite of features, from product creation to global fulfillment, fostering a seamless and customizable e-commerce experience.
3. Printify
Printify presents a $29.99/month paid plan, granting access to a diverse array of over 800 customizable products. With fulfillment centers strategically located in the USA, Europe, China, the UK, Australia, and Canada, Printify ensures efficient global shipping, accommodating businesses of all sizes and streamlining the distribution process. Enabling brand distinction, the platform offers customization options like custom neck labels, sleeve printing, and on-demand branding inserts in packaging, contributing to a unique and memorable brand identity.
Simplifying the creative process, Printify provides a user-friendly design toolkit encompassing a product mockup generator, embroidery mockup generator, and text tool. Seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, Walmart, and PrestaShop, positions Printify as an adaptable solution for businesses seeking to enhance their print-on-demand capabilities. Additionally, integration with popular online marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay broadens market reach, allowing businesses to tap into extensive customer bases and maximize visibility for their personalized product offerings.
4. CustomCat
Discover the versatility of CustomCat, a comprehensive print-on-demand platform offering a diverse range of over 300 customizable products. With a commitment to efficiency, CustomCat boasts a turnaround time of 3-7 days, ensuring timely delivery of personalized goods to your customers.
While CustomCat doesn’t provide custom packaging or a marketplace, it stands out with its array of printing technologies. The platform employs Direct to Garment, Sublimation, Digital Printing, and Embroidery, offering a spectrum of options for creating high-quality, customized products tailored to your brand.
CustomCat’s pricing plans cater to a range of needs. The Lite Plan, a free option, is ideal for beginners, allowing them to explore the platform without upfront costs. For those seeking additional features and capabilities, CustomCat offers competitive pricing for both apparel ($9-$33) and non-apparel products ($3-$63), making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Unleash your creativity and bring your unique designs to life with CustomCat’s user-friendly platform and flexible pricing options.
5. Gooten
Explore the extensive product range of Gooten, a robust print-on-demand platform offering over 150 customizable products. Gooten ensures quick fulfillment with a swift turnaround time of 2-5 days, meeting the demands of businesses looking for timely delivery of personalized goods to their customers.
Gooten utilizes cutting-edge printing technologies, including Direct to Garment, Sublimation, Digital Printing, and Embroidery, providing a versatile array of options for creating high-quality, customized products. The platform features a mockup generator, allowing users to visualize and refine their designs seamlessly. While Gooten doesn’t offer custom packaging, its pricing structure is competitive. Apparel pricing ranges from $9 to $60, while non-apparel products fall between $20 and $330.
It’s worth noting that signing up for Gooten requires reaching out to their sales team, a process that some users may find less convenient. However, for those seeking a wide range of customizable products, Gooten presents an enticing option in the print-on-demand landscape.
Conclusion
The print-on-demand market for mugs has grown significantly since it first started. With the demand for customized products growing and the ease with which these products can be produced and delivered, the industry is likely to keep growing.
It’s a profitable opportunity for businesses and individuals who may want to design their own mugs or offer such services to their customers.
FAQ
What types of mugs can I customize through print-on-demand services?
Print-on-demand services typically offer a variety of mug options, including ceramic mugs, travel mugs, color-changing mugs, and more. The available options may vary depending on the print-on-demand provider.
Can I use my own artwork or images for the mug design?
Yes, most print-on-demand services allow you to upload your own artwork, images, or designs for mug customization. Ensure that the images are high resolution for the best print quality.
Are print-on-demand mugs durable and dishwasher-safe?
In general, print-on-demand mugs are designed to be durable and dishwasher-safe. However, it’s recommended to check the specific care instructions provided by the print-on-demand company to ensure the longevity of the print.
How do I choose a reliable print-on-demand service for mugs?
When selecting a print-on-demand service, consider factors like print quality, available mug options, pricing, shipping times, and customer reviews. Popular providers include Printful, Printify, CustomCat, and Gooten, among others, but it’s advisable to research and choose based on your specific needs.
