When a business offers promotional mugs to their clients, or potential clients, it is a very well received gesture. The printing process is quite interesting as well.

There are numerous ways to print a promotional mug and these depend on different factors including the material of the mug, colour, and design and of course, the budget. Some of the most common ways are screen printing, dye sublimation printing, laser etching, transfer printing and digital printing.

Screen printing is the best choice when the logo or graphics are about equal to the mug size and the colors are distinct and not blended. This process is fast, allowing for thousands to be printed in a day.

Transfer printing process is not as basic. The graphics are usually more detailed and the print is transferred onto the mug, not printed directly onto the mug. Digital printing is similar to transfer printing. A digital laser printer is used in this process for a design that requires high resolution. It is slightly more expensive, but is an affective tool when transferring actual photographs.

Dye sublimation is another printing process which uses organic colors. This gives a beautiful effect when using a large amount of color over a large space and adds a luxurious shine. Laser etching is another interesting method which produces artistic enhancement to promotional mugs. It is a high end process which actually engraves or carves the design into the mugs. This is a great selection if you are looking for wrap around desigs and a very elite presentation.

Promotional mugs have a long standing history of being a well received promotional tool. Not only are they a great way to place your company name in the hands of clients and potential clients, but they are a perfect reward for employees. Upon completion of a big project, or any job well done, the employees can be rewarded with a beautiful keepsake which also advertises the name of your company. These mugs, when openly distributed, can be seen in private homes and office buildings and are a way of distributing your company name and logo.

The marketing plan which uses promotional mugs is one that is gaining in popularity. Due to the high demand, there are multiple organizations which now specialize in the design and production of these promotional mugs. They handle the entire process from material selection to color and design selection to the actual printing process and delivery of the finished product. Because these companies work in this field daily, they are well skilled ad selecting material and designs which will fit into any desired budget.

Designing promotional mugs is a great career for those who have the artistic ability, but it is not all fun and games. One such designer may have ten seperate clients in one week all wanting similar designs. Coming up with ten selections, which will please each client, may be quite a challenge.

Surveys show that many businesses use the promotional mug strategy for their company and spent a fixed amount of money annually. These large scale businesses felt it was the best source of advertising and the best way to motivate their employees. This led to higher performance and rapid growth and a lower turnover rate

Other surveys, conducted amongst employees at large firms confirmed that the reward process used when giving out promotional mugs, leads to healthy competition among co-workers. It was clear that those rewarded with such an honor were willing and eager to work harder to have this honor bestowed upon them. When an employee is rewarded with something beautiful and useful it is a very effective method for showing appreciation for a job well done.

Non-biodegradable promotional mugs are a moral dilemma for a company that cares about the earth. By using eco-friendly promotional mugs, your company has an added benefit of showing customers that you are aware of the problems posed by non-biodegradable materials and are taking steps towards the betterment of the environment. Hence such mugs not only provide an exposure to your brand, but also raise their value in the market.

Currently, promotional mugs are commonly made from recycled plastic. This material is a very low cost way to produce these products. it is becoming more and more apparent that plastic is virtually non-biodegradable, therefore the use of plastics is becoming less common every day and recycled plastics are becoming more popular

Major organizations are more and more aware of the problems facing the world today, including pollution and global warming. These problems are said to be caused by many factors such as increasing pollution and melting glaciers. Many of us are doing our part to improve these dramatic situations. Recycling and buying recycled goods helps and promotional products are no exception. Many major organizations are selecting recycled promotional products to do their part in the effort to help save the environment.

Major NGOs are doing their bit by spreading the word all around the world about the production of these recycled products in the markets. Responsible designing companies have also brought a wide range of beautiful eco-friendly promotional mugs to the markets, hence decreasing the production and sale of new plastic products. These days, there are a number of processes to recycle plastics. One of the most useful to produce recycled plastic of the desired colour is a process which distinguishes colours before recycling the goods; this avoids the production of black coloured plastic due to the mixing of various colours. The method separates out plastics on the basis of colour and the final recycled plastic is not of an unwanted brownish black shade but the desired colour.

At business levels, companies should try to use eco-friendly promotional items for distributing among their customers. Moreover they can use such promotional mugs with company logos at the work place as well. This will create awareness about the issue amongst the employees.

Personalised promotional mugs can be enhanced with special effects which cam make an even bolder statement. Some of these effects are explained in the following bits of information

A little raised shape or raised lettering is called embossing. You can have any part of your logo embossed to draw attention and make it stand out. The 3D effect is especially helpful when targeting children. If your business has a particular mascot or character this is an especially good choice. When clay is moulded into a specific shape and bonded to the mug, this is the desirable 3D application.

Laser etching is a process that is used in conjunction often with embossing to reveal the underlying material. This appears as the design has been carved. The process is completed with a laser etching machine. Frosting gives the frosted glass look. Another very eye catching effect for promotional mugs. This effect is usually reserved for the high end mugs and is costlier and a little less practical as it is not dishwasher of microwave safe. This application is good for artistic pieces which will be displayed, not used.

Iridescent or metallic finishes are very common with promotional mugs. These shiny effects are very eye catching and get a lot of desired attention. Again, metallics are not microwave of dishwasher safe, but they do have a big impact on consumers. The vibrant colours available are attractive as well.

With stiff competition, it has become essential that your company must offer something unique which binds your old customers and compels others to turn to your product. Publicity products like these promotional mugs, apart from imparting the basic knowledge about the product, need to have that extra something special like these effects that makes the mug tactile as well as visual.