Custom Printed Coffee Mugs: The Ideal Gift
Less than 30 years ago, custom printed coffee mugs began to be a popularly advertised gift idea. When they were first introduced, however, the cost was high and the wait time was long. A film photograph had to be sent to a company, which would then use silkscreening or other methods to imprint the photograph on the mug. The company would ship it back, usually within 4 to 6 weeks. Shipping charges were in addition to the price of the product.
The advent of digital photography equipment, and the associated technological advances, have dramatically changed the character of this business. Manufacturers or a store are now able to offer the same customized product at a much lower cost, with much faster delivery service. Some marketers are able to offer to ship the desired product within as little as a few working days, using any type of shipping the customer is willing to pay for.
Many companies, both large and small, have begun to offer printing and customize coffee mugs, most usually the plastic travel variety, as a business promotion. These products are available for as little as two dollars each when you buy in large quantities. They usually contain the company logo and some type of advertising slogan.
The manufacture of custom printed coffee mugs has become widespread. An online search of available business returned thousands of hits. The types of companies vary greatly; they run the gamut from large photography corporations to small home business operations. The type of product varies as well. Many companies even offer to allow the shopper to upload a desired photo from his or her home computer. Types of offerings range from names, images of popular historical characters, and photos to business logos, slogans, and just about any thing else that a consumer could conceptualize. Most coffeeshops, including the giant Starbucks has their own personalized mug's.
Many coffee shops offer custom printed coffee mugs for sale to patrons or gift seekers. Some offer personalization by including the desired individual's name on the mug. Others may offer a photo of the business, or a slogan related to the business. The increased product availability and decreased cost has allowed small personally owned coffee shops and suppliers to do this as easily as can major corporations because of the low overhead required to create such a product.
Coffee lovers take their mugs with them much of the time, and often advertise their personalities through the personalized cups they prefer to collect and use. Some persons might prefer favorite cartoon characters or scenery. In contrast, persons may identify their profession or favorite organization by selecting a custom printed coffee mug that features this. For example, a plethora of nursing-related mugs can be found in many hospital break rooms. Similarly, a Girl Scout leader may elect to identify her mug with a small campfire with coffee pots nearby. The possibilities are endless.