How to Make Custom Coffee Mugs to Sell (What Actually Works)

If you’ve ever thought, “I could make custom coffee mugs and sell them,” you’re not wrong. Coffee mugs are one of the most popular retail items for coffee shops, boutiques, Etsy sellers, and gift stores.

But they’re also one of the most misunderstood.

After two decades of selling to retail shops and coffee shops—and selling tens of thousands of mugs—we’ve seen exactly what works, what fails, and where most people lose money. This guide is meant to save you time, money, and frustration.

Why Selling Custom Mugs Seems Easy (But Usually Isn’t)

On the surface, selling custom mugs looks simple:

• Buy blank mugs
• Add a logo or design
• Sell them for double

In reality, the challenge isn’t making a mug—it’s selling enough mugs at a consistent quality and margin to make it worthwhile.

Most people don’t fail because of creativity. They fail because:

• They sell in quantities that are too small
• Their decoration method doesn’t last
• Their mugs look like everyone else’s
• They spend all their time producing instead of selling

The Three Ways People Make Custom Coffee Mugs to Sell

1. DIY at Home

DIY methods like sublimation or vinyl decals are common for Etsy sellers and craft fairs.

Pros

• Low upfront cost to get started
• Full creative control
• Good for testing ideas

Cons

• Extremely time-intensive
• Hard to scale
• Quality varies
• Margins disappear fast

DIY can work if you have a strong hook—great art, a following, or a unique mug style. But if you’re buying the same ceramic mugs everyone else is buying, you’ll blend in fast.

2. Print-On-Demand (POD)

Print-on-demand companies let you upload art and sell without inventory.

Pros

• No inventory risk
• Easy setup

Cons

• Low margins
• Limited mug selection
• Inconsistent print quality
• Long shipping times

POD is convenient, but convenience is usually paid for with profit and quality.

3. Professional Production (The Scalable Option)

This is where mugs start to make sense financially—especially for custom ceramic mugs, custom travel mugs, and custom camping mugs sold in retail environments.

With professional production:

• You get consistent results
• Better decoration methods
• Pricing that allows you to double your cost
• Time to focus on selling instead of making

Decoration Methods That Actually Last

Not all mug decoration is created equal. Durability matters—especially for items that get washed daily.

Best Options (In Order)

Laser Engraving (Top Tier)

• Permanent
• No ink to fade or peel
• Premium look
• Excellent for travel mugs and stainless camping mugs

Screen Printing

• Extremely durable when done correctly
• Ideal for bulk ceramic mugs
• Consistent, retail-ready finish

Sublimation

• Great when paired with quality mugs
• Dishwasher safe
• Allows full-color artwork

What to Avoid

Vinyl

• Not durable
• Extremely labor-intensive
• Peels and fades over time
• Not suitable for retail

If longevity matters—and it should—vinyl is the wrong choice.

Why Selling Small Quantities Is So Hard

One of the biggest misconceptions about selling custom mugs is that small runs equal low risk.

In reality:

• Small runs = higher cost per mug
• Higher cost = lower margin
• Lower margin = more work for less money

To make mugs profitable, you need:

• Bulk pricing
• Consistent reorders
• Reliable production

If you can’t at least double your cost, mugs probably aren’t worth selling.

The Mug Itself Matters More Than People Think

A mug isn’t just a canvas—it’s the product.

The weight, shape, feel, and finish all influence whether someone picks it up. A great design on a cheap mug still feels cheap.

That’s why:

• Custom ceramic mugs need to feel solid
• Custom travel mugs should feel premium and functional
• Custom camping mugs should feel durable and intentional

The drinkware itself is often the differentiator.

Art, Branding, and What Actually Sells

Sometimes a logo is enough. Sometimes artwork does all the heavy lifting.

What consistently works:

• Clever, readable designs
• Art that feels intentional—not generic
• Designs that connect emotionally

The better, cuter, or more creative your art, the better your sales will be. A quality mug can sell itself—but it sells faster with great decoration.

Inventory Risk (Especially Overseas)

Buying too much inventory can sink a business quickly.

If you’re sourcing overseas:

• You’d better know the exact mug quality
• Your artwork needs to be dialed in
• You’re committing to large quantities

For many sellers, lower minimums are the smarter starting point. They allow you to:

• Test multiple styles
• Offer variety
• Avoid being stuck with unsold inventory

The Smarter Way to Sell Custom Mugs

After decades in this space, the most successful sellers:

• Focus on selling, not producing
• Choose decoration methods that last
• Use quality drinkware
• Buy at prices that allow real margins

If you want help producing custom ceramic mugs, custom travel mugs, or custom camping mugs that are built to sell—and built to last—contact MugHeads.