Key points
- Pick the decoration method from your artwork: decals for detail and colour, screen print for bold marks, debossing for subtle tone-on-tone branding.
- Send vector artwork (SVG, AI, EPS or PDF) with Pantone references for accurate colour.
- Approve a decorated sample before production — it becomes the reference every piece is checked against.
- Plan backwards from your delivery date; festive months fill up early.
Start with the method, not the mug
The decoration method decides how your logo will look, how long it lasts and what the minimum order is. Choose it from your artwork:
- Fired-on ceramic decal — a printed transfer fused onto the glaze in a kiln. Handles fine detail, gradients and many colours. The most flexible option.
- Screen printing — ink pushed through a mesh stencil. Ideal for bold one- or two-colour logos at higher volumes.
- Debossed clay stamp — your mark pressed into the clay before firing. Glaze pools in the impression for a subtle, premium look.
- Hand-painted underglaze — painted by hand and sealed under clear glaze. Best for names, short messages and motifs.
Compare them side by side on our customisation page.
Artwork that prints well
- Send a vector file: SVG, AI, EPS or PDF with outlined text.
- Give Pantone references for brand colours. Screen colours vary; Pantone gives everyone the same target.
- Tell us the printed size you want. On a 330 ml mug, a logo around 50–60 mm wide reads clearly without crowding the handle.
- Avoid hairlines thinner than about 0.3 mm — they can break up when fired.
Glaze and logo contrast
Light logos on dark glazes and dark logos on light glazes are the safest choice. A reactive or speckled glaze adds character but can reduce legibility for small text. If you want a dark glaze with a light logo, ask to see it on a sample; some colours shift slightly when fired.
Minimums and timelines
Logo orders on our stock mugs start at 50 pieces per design, with a typical lead time of three to four weeks after sample approval. Custom glazes and new shapes take longer because they include test tiles or a prototype. Your quote always confirms exact numbers for your order.
For festive gifting, start six to eight weeks before your dispatch date. Diwali and year-end are the busiest periods for every kiln in the country.
Always approve a sample
A decorated sample shows the real colour, size and position of your logo on the real glaze. Once you approve it, it becomes the reference sample production is checked against. Skipping this step is the most common cause of disappointment with custom mugs.
Packaging and dispatch
Decide early whether mugs go in bulk cartons to one address, in gift boxes, or individually to a recipient list. Packaging lead times can be longer than the mugs themselves if you want printed boxes.
Common questions
What is the minimum order for custom logo mugs?
At The Pot Kart, logo orders on stock mugs start at 50 pieces per design. Custom glazes and new shapes have higher minimums.
Which logo printing method lasts longest on ceramic mugs?
Fired-on decals, screen prints fired into the glaze, debossed stamps and underglaze are all fired, so they are far more durable than unfired printing. Debossing and underglaze are the most wear-resistant because the mark is in or under the glaze.
What file format should I send for my logo?
A vector file such as SVG, AI, EPS or PDF, with Pantone references for brand colours.