It can be very confusing to pick out a source for a custom mug, personalized. What kind of cup? Which method of printing? In this article I will endeavor to help you navigate through these issues so that you can find the best personalized mug supplier for your needs. What process should be used to print my custom cup?... The colors in your custom mug may be expressed in one of two ways. SPOT colors are distinct, primary colors that comprise, for example, a logo. Generally this is referred to as one, two, three, (and so forth) colors. Screenprinting is a common method for printing these discrete, spot colors on your personalized mug. Photographs, on the other hand, are comprised of hundreds if not thousands of colors in tiny pixels, which can be in turn broken down into CYMK (cyan, yellow, magenta, and black) or RBG (red, green, and blue). This is referred to as process color. Dye sublimation is a perfect way to print process color, as well as spot colors. Screenprinting can render process color, but the detail is not as fine. With dye sublimation, the image is literally embedded into the cup, 'in the glaze', if you will. With screenprinting, the image is applied on the surface of the mug and can be felt. What is most cost effective method for printing my personalized mug?... While screenprinters charge for each color (a separate screen must be setup for each color). Dye sublimation printers do not. It is immaterial for dye sublimation printing whether your mug has one color or one thousand colors. You will generally find that for low quantity runs, dye sublimation is the most cost effective. For larger runs, depending on the number of colors, screenprinting may or may not be more affordable. The quantity of mugs you are ordering is a factor as well. Generally speaking, anything over a gross (144) will make screenprinting an attractive option, if there are not too many colors. If, however, you need each mug to be personalized, dye sublimation is the only affordable option. Consider also, how far away the printer is from you. Mugs are heavy! Shipping can add anywhere from 50 cents to well over a dollar to the cost of each mug if your printer is really far away. How should my mug be printed?... There are many factors to consider in choosing a company to print your custom mug. First, you have to decide a budget and application. Is the mug to be for a gift for individuals or employees? In this case, you want to have a high quality mug, which would mean the mug might be in full color and perhaps even individually personalized. If, on the other hand, your personalized mug is intended to be a giveaway at a trade show or the like, you want to minimize your cost. Generally speaking, the number of colors in your mug and the quantity you are ordering will determine your price. So plan your budget relative to the application and the number of mugs you need. What color and shape of mug can I have printed?... Screenprinters can print on any color mug. Like a T-Shirt, if it is a dark mug, a layer of white is applied first so that the other colors on top show against the dark mug. Dye sublimation printers generally need to work with white mugs, specially coated ones at that. There are some black mugs available for dye sublimation that have a white panel that is coated to receive the dye. There are dye sub mugs that have contrasting insides and handles to render something a bit different than the ordinary custom mug. Shapes that vary from the standard round mug can be printed by either process, but additional costs may apply. Does my custom printed mug require special care?... Obviously, the better you treat it, the longer it will last! Most screenprinted and dye sublimated mugs can be run in a residential dishwasher. Commercial dishwashers operate at much higher temperatures, and dyesub mugs will not hold up in them. Handwashing guarantees the longest wear from your mug regardless of the print method. Once you have all your needs and budget figured out, you can choose the best process to print your personalized mugs for you! Information courtesy of PhotoImprints.com, a custom mug and quality gift printer located in Asheville, NC.