“Custom coffee mugs? Do you use a Sharpie?”
One of my original mug creations using a Sharpie marker.
This is what most people say to me when they learn I turn coffee cups into custom creations. And after a chuckle, I politely say no. My mugs are professionally-printed using a process that I’ve perfected over time. Like many things, my mug business has been a journey full of many mistakes, failures, frustrations, and victories.
Sharpies are to blame for giving me my mug obsession. I decided to give coffee mugs to Jacob’s teachers at church and customized them with a Sharpie marker. Did they look a little rough? Yes. My sister told me how great they looked, but they looked rough. I have semi-nice hand writing, but I always compare it to people who have better handwriting – like my sister. No doubt her two girls will inherit her gift for beautiful penmanship and her home will be filled with Pinterest-worthy chalkboard signs and scrapbooks.
So, hand-drawn mugs were out; on to step 2. I bought decals that I could print myself and seal onto the mugs. Did this work? You bet it did. I was able to design beautiful, perfectly-written decals, print them, and put them on mugs. Were these better? Yes. But they looked like stickers on the mug. Basically, they looked good from far away but up close you saw imperfections. The biggest issue with these is they weren’t’ dishwasher safe.
Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Then came step three- sublimation printing. This was a scary step for me as it required a rather sizable monetary investment.
It didn’t’ go well.
This step was so full of problems I honestly almost quit doing any mug-related anything. Printers didn't work, I had to learn a new software to design my creations, machines didn't heat properly, and, at one point, my hands were so stained with ink, it looked like I got in a fight with a clown (and won!). I was spending more money and time on a new set up and I wasn't even sure was going to work. After all the struggle I just didn't want to do it anymore.
>The struggle and extra time was worth it.<
I love my mugs. I’m proud of my designs and being able to slide people a business card that contains information about the products I’ve worked so hard to create. I look forward to nights spent printing my mugs for customers with my dog laying in the perfect spot for me to trip over her. Having to work hard to find success makes me appreciate what I’ve created so much more.
You don’t choose the mug life, you work your butt off for it.
>For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37<