Ceramic or thermal mug with logo: which one should your company order

Choosing between a ceramic or thermal mug usually comes down to price: a ceramic mug with a logo at 100 pcs starts at EUR 2.37–2.64/pc (for example, the Olympia espresso mug or the Bari 240 ml), while the Camden 350 ml stainless steel thermal mug at 100 pcs starts at EUR 13.80/pc — roughly 5 times more expensive. Ceramic is the logical choice for the office kitchen, event giveaways and large runs, while a thermal mug suits personalised gifts for staff, clients and teams where the item is used daily outside the office. All prices are indicative, excl. VAT, and depend on quantity and printing method.

Key differences at a glance

When ceramic is the better choice

A ceramic mug with a logo works best where quantity and low cost per contact matter most. At 200–500 pcs, the budget per unit stays within EUR 2–5, and the print can be full colour via sublimation or 1–2 colours via pad printing.

Typical scenarios:

• conferences, seminars, open days, where the mug stays with the participant;
• cafés and restaurants, where the mug is used on-site and stock is replenished periodically;
• schools and municipalities with a fixed budget and a large number of recipients;
• resale in a shop or club with your own design.

If the design includes a photo or colour gradients, choose a sublimation mug — the Pix 330 ml with a coloured interior is designed for this and available from 1 pc. Pad printing, on the other hand, is more precise for simple logos and cheaper in large runs.

When a thermal mug is the better choice

A thermal mug is a gift the recipient takes along. That means the logo is seen outside the office, every day, for several years — the cost per contact ends up lower than for ceramic, even though the starting price is higher.

Choose a thermal mug if:

• the gift is for 10–100 people (staff, long-term clients, a team);
• you want the item to look like a personal gift rather than a promotional item;
• durability and repeated use matter more than reaching the maximum number of recipients;
• you need laser engraving — on steel it looks clean and doesn't wear off.

The Camden 350 ml is an RCS-certified stainless steel thermal mug with a ceramic inner coating, available in 5 colours, with the option of 360° digital printing or engraving. A middle ground between the two categories is the Java 330 ml ceramic mug with a silicone sleeve and plastic lid — ceramic taste, but with a lid and a comfortable grip.

Examples from our catalogue

• Camden 350 ml RCS-certified stainless steel thermal mug with ceramic inner coating – stainless steel, 5 colours, 360° digital printing or laser engraving, from EUR 13.80 at 100 pcs.
• Bari 240 ml ceramic mug with a glossy finish – ceramic, 6 colours, pad printing or laser engraving, from EUR 2.64 at 100 pcs.
• Pix 330 ml ceramic sublimation mug with coloured interior – ceramic, 4 colours, full-colour sublimation, from EUR 2.93 at 100 pcs.
• Riviera 340 ml ceramic mug – ceramic, 6 colours, screen printing for round surfaces or pad printing, from EUR 3.78 at 100 pcs.
• Cali 370 ml ceramic mug with a matte finish – ceramic, 5 colours, pad printing or engraving, from EUR 4.02 at 100 pcs.
• Java 330 ml ceramic mug with silicone sleeve and plastic lid – ceramic with silicone, 4 colours, laser engraving, from EUR 5.67 at 100 pcs.
• Olympia 130 ml stackable espresso mug with clay base – ceramic, 3 colours, pad printing, from EUR 2.37 at 100 pcs.
• Camilla 180 ml collapsible ceramic mug with matte finish – 5 colours, pad printing or engraving, from EUR 3.51 at 100 pcs.

See a wider selection in our mugs and thermal mugs categories.

The printing method determines the final look

Pad printing

Suitable for logos in 1–3 colours on ceramic. The cheapest option for large runs, but colour gradients and photos are not possible.

Sublimation

Full-colour printing on a specially prepared mug (Pix 330 ml). Works from 1 pc, so it's good for individual gifts and small batches.

Screen printing for round surfaces

Denser colour and better durability than pad printing, worthwhile from roughly 100 pcs. Available for the Riviera, Cali, Aztec and Laguna models.

Laser engraving and 360° digital printing

Engraving suits steel and matte ceramic surfaces — it's single-tone, but doesn't wear off. 360° digital printing on the Camden allows full-colour printing across the entire body.

Timeline and how ordering works

Mugs with printing are usually ready within 6–10 business days: production takes 4–7 business days depending on quantity and printing method, plus 2–3 days delivery. We can handle urgent orders by arrangement — tell us the date and we'll check the real possibility.

The process is simple: add the products to a request on the website or email us, and within one business day you'll receive a quote online and as a PDF with product images, prices, print location, set-up fee and timeline for each item. On request, we'll prepare a 3D view with your logo, and you can approve the artwork by email.

Send your logo as vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg), CMYK; raster images need to be 300 dpi. If the mugs are part of a set with other products, also check out promotional products with a logo — in gift sets, a mug often goes together with a notebook, pen or tote bag.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum order quantity for mugs with a logo?

We also work with orders of 1 piece, especially for sublimation mugs. However, the price per piece drops noticeably at 50–100 pcs, as the set-up fee is spread over a larger quantity.

Can a ceramic mug with a logo be washed in a dishwasher?

Pad printing and screen printing with baking are resistant to a home dishwasher; for sublimation we recommend a gentle cycle. The Camden thermal mug is best hand-washed to preserve the vacuum layer and the print.

Is a thermal mug with 360° printing more expensive than engraving?

Usually yes, as full-colour 360° printing requires more set-up work. We note the exact difference in the quote for each item so you can compare both options.

How many mugs do I need for the price to be worthwhile?

For ceramic, the breakpoint is usually 100 pcs — for example, the Bari 240 ml drops from EUR 2.75 at 1 pc to EUR 2.64 at 100 pcs, with a steeper drop at larger quantities. For thermal mugs the percentage difference is smaller, so an order of 20–50 pcs already makes sense.

Can I see how the logo will look on the mug before production?

Yes. We prepare an artwork with the print location and size, and on request also a 3D view with your logo. We only start production after your approval by email.

Can you print mugs together with T-shirts for the same event?

Yes, we do this often — mugs from the catalogue plus apparel printing with screen printing, DTF or embroidery. We coordinate the timelines so everything arrives to you on the same date.

Email us at info@attaprint.lv or call or WhatsApp +371 25776699, stating the quantity, preferred volume and logo file. We prepare a quote with prices, print location and timeline within one business day.