The custom printing industry, especially in the niche of mug printing, is thriving like never before. Mug printing holds a significant share of the market, with data from Data Bridge Market Research showing that the global mug printing market was valued at $21.39 billion in 2021. Projections suggest it will nearly double to $44.21 billion by 2029. If you're considering starting an online mug printing business, now is an ideal time to get started. In this guide, we will reveal the reasons why you should start a mug printing business online today and everything you need to know to launch a succesful mug printing business online.

Why you must consider starting a Mug printing business?

Starting a mug printing business offers numerous advantages, especially in the context of online commerce. Here are several reasons why this could be the right choice for you:

1. Low Overhead Costs: Unlike traditional businesses, a mug printing operation does not require a physical store. You can easily start from home, reducing startup costs.

2. Minimal Investment: Starting a mug printing business requires relatively little capital. The risks are low, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs with limited financial resources.

3. No Specialized Skills Required: Unlike other types of businesses that may demand specific qualifications, mug printing doesn't require specialized technical skills or advanced education.

4. Flexible Working Hours: You have full control over your work schedule, which provides the freedom to balance the business with other commitments.

5. Scalable and Versatile: The beauty of mug printing lies in its scalability. You can target various niches, sell on multiple online platforms, and even expand into international markets with minimal effort.

6. Growing Demand: E-commerce has experienced exponential growth over recent years, and personalized products like custom mugs are especially popular on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify. By leveraging these marketplaces, you can tap into a global audience right from the start.

Now that you understand the potential of the business. et’s start with Step by step guide on How to start a mug printing business online successfully.

How to start a Mug printing business online successfully

Define Your Goals with a Business Plan

A clear business plan is crucial for success. Start by identifying the specific niche you want to target. A mug is a great gift, especially with a custom design. If you are still wondering which niche you should choose, don’t worry, we suggest that you should do some research and see what people are buying. To track the popularity of search queries, you might want to use some of the free niche research tools like Google Trends, Subreddit Stats, Localized Rankings, Google Search Console, etc. These tools let you filter across properties, compare search terms and topics, and even find related searches. Besides, you can totally take advantage of popular marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, etc. The reasons for suggesting you use these marketplaces are because you see what products are coming up for each search term, and see how well they’re doing in terms of sales. 

The next step is choosing the best suitable type of mug for your business.

Choose the Right Type of Mug

The type of mug you choose will determine the overall appeal of your products. You might want to see different types of mugs below.

• Ceramic Mugs

This is considered the most widely used in the market. It can be said that most people have ceramic mugs, from young to old people, from favorite dinners to the workplace. One of the reasons for that it’s durable and often printed with custom designs so that it can be suitable for any purpose. Besides, these mugs seem to last forever and work well in the microwave and dishwasher.

• Glass Mugs

One of the best mug types you should choose is Glass Mugs. They are transparent, beautiful, and created in order to improve the drinking experience. They have a high demand in the drinkware industry due to their uses in serving different types of beverages such as ice tea, smoothies, and shakes.

• Copper Mugs

Have you ever heard about Cooper Mugs? This is a type of mug designed to serve Moscow Mule enthusiasts. The original Moscow Mule was first introduced in America during the 1940s and 1950s, increased in popularity during the 1960s, and still again emerging as a popular drink nowadays. Cooper is shiny and the copper lining in the mug helps enhance the taste and aroma of the drink better. Besides, thanks to the thermal conductivity of copper material, the drink will stay colder for a long time.

• Stainless Steel Mugs

Stainless Steel material is widely used for reusable travel mugs. It’s great for keeping the liquid hot for a long period and you can take it anywhere with the options like lids and handles.

• Pottery Mugs

Pottery Mugs are designed for those who love handcrafting. This is still an attractive option for centuries as it’s so beautiful and comes at a low cost.

• Travel Mugs

People usually use this type of mug during their travel. Travel Mugs are made of either ceramic or stainless steel with a sealing option, so people can carry out the liquid safely.

• Porcelain Mugs

Porcelain mugs are a great option when it comes to choosing the type of mugs to sell. Despite their fragile appearance, they are still fancy and dedicated, and durable come in different colors, shapes, and sizes, which makes them suitable for any kind of event and occasion like weddings or holiday parties.

• Tumblers

Looking for more options for custom mugs? We would like to recommend Tumbler - one of the most popular types of mugs. They come in a variety of colors, and sizes and are often made of stainless steel, which entitles people to keep the liquid warm for a long time.

With all these materials, you have a lot of options to choose from. We hope that you can pick a great mug for your printing business.

Once you find your targeted niche, the next step is to define who’s going to buy this.

Who Are You Selling To?

It’s important to understand who is your target audience. The more you know about your target customer, the more you can create a satisfying experience to attract prospects.

We suggest that you should create an ideal profile customer for your business. An ICP is defined as an ideal buyer who would benefit the most from your products and services and is likely to buy and use them in the future. There are several ways for you to collect the information. You can analyze the metric on your Google Analytics report, or you might want to speak to marketer experts, conduct a survey or interview your existing customers.

By referring to those questions below, you might find exactly who they are:

• Location: Where are they living?
• Age: Age range (in general)
• Gender
• Interests (What do they like)
• Education level
• Job title: What do they do
• Income level
• Language: What language do they speak?
• Buying motivation: What are their pain points, why should they buy from you?
• Buying concerns: What prevents this customer from buying from you?

Build Your Online Presence: Create a website

(If you are still considering 3 options when creating a website such as DIY, hire freelance or hire a professional agency, you can refer to the pros and cons of its approach in our previous article )

Step 1. Set Up Your Domain Name and Hosting Provider

There are so many websites that you could choose to register your domain name. Make sure that you’ll choose a reliable domain registrar. Below are top domain hosting companies, which provide both setting up domain name and hosting services. Besides, one of the reasons why for their famous is because each of them provide specific offers and can get your site up and running immediately.

1. GoDaddy
2. Bluehost
3. HostGator
4. IONOS
5. Hostinger

Step 2. Install a website platform

How to pick the best website platform? There are several criteria for you when evaluating which one is the best for you. Maybe you want to read Best website platform for small business. They reveal The world’s most popular website building platforms and their pros and cons.

Step 3. Choose The Best Theme and Plugins

Do you want to pick the best theme for your mug printing store? I must say that there are thousands of free and premium themes in the marketplace for you to choose from. And in our previous article, we shared the top important things you should consider when selecting a theme and top printing themes in the marketplace, let’s read Best Printshop Website Templates For Your Website

If you want to run your mug printing business effectively, you should install some essential WordPress plugins that have functions like the below:

• SEO Plugin: improve your website ranking on search engine results page in order to attract more clients come to visit your site.
• Security Plugin: protect your site from attacks
• Backup Plugin: allow you to create backups and store in in the cloud in order to avoid
• Performance optimization plugin: speed up your website
• Contact form plugin: allow customers to get in touch with you
• Google Analytics: the easiest way to keep tracking your data
• And etc

Sell More Customizable Mugs with our powerful product design tool

To run your mug printing business effectively, don’t forget to add a product online design tool. NB Designer – one of the best product online design tools in the marketplace that allows people to create their unique designs is a must-have plugin recommended for printing shop owners to integrate into their online website to increase the sale volume up to 60% monthly. You can the DEMO to see how it benefits your business.

Step 4. Add Key Pages

Your website must include important pages like:

• Homepage: The first page visitors will see.
• About Us: Share your story and brand vision.
• Product Pages: Showcase your custom mugs with high-quality images.
• Blog: Post helpful content related to mug printing or custom gifts to engage visitors.
• Contact Us: Let customers reach you easily for inquiries.

Step 5. Integrate a Product Design Tool

To offer a true customization experience, integrate an online design tool like NB Designer. This tool allows customers to create unique designs for their mugs, leading to increased sales. Studies show that businesses with product design tools see a 60% monthly increase in sales.

Now you have everything you need to launch your mug printing business.

Step 6. Launch Your Website

Once your site is ready, launch it and start promoting it. Social media marketing, email campaigns, and paid ads are effective ways to drive traffic to your new online store. Platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram are particularly useful for showcasing visually appealing products like custom mugs.

Marketing Your Mug Printing Business

Online marketing is key to attracting customers. Use a combination of digital marketing strategies such as:

• SEO: Optimize your website to rank higher in search results.
• Social Media: Share engaging content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest,...
• Email Marketing: Build an email list to notify customers about new designs and promotions.

CMSMART CLUB has released a variety of useful digital marketing services. Some of them are currently offering free. Visit our Club to experience it now.

Making your decisions

Are you ready to start a mug printing business today? With a clear plan and the right tools, you can tap into the thriving custom products market. You can tell us more about your project and we’ll try our best to help you get the most out of our services.

Cmsmart, a division of NetbaseJSC, has been a trusted provider of ecommerce solutions for over 20 years. We specialize in developing customized online stores using WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento platforms, ensuring that businesses can easily create, manage, and grow their online presence. In particular, we offer powerful product design tools like NB Designer, which allows customers to personalize products, such as custom mugs, directly on your website—ideal for businesses like mug printing. Our solutions also include essential ecommerce plugins for SEO, security, and performance optimization, as well as responsive themes that enhance the customer experience. Cmsmart’s expertise extends to helping businesses integrate with multichannel platforms like Amazon and Etsy, ensuring a wider reach and more revenue streams. With our comprehensive support and consulting services, we help you successfully launch and scale your online mug printing business.

Contact us whenever you need and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We're here to help you succeed!

D.Garp

Developer

Mr. D Garp is a highly accomplished Senior Ecommerce Consultant with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field. With a proven track record of success, he has established himself as a trusted advisor in the e-commerce industry.
With a deep understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and industry best practices, Mr. Garp brings valuable insights and strategic guidance to his clients. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge of e-commerce platforms, technologies, and trends, allowing him to provide tailored solutions that drive business growth and maximize online potential.
Mr. Garp excels at analyzing client needs, identifying opportunities, and formulating effective strategies to enhance online presence, increase conversions, and optimize the customer journey. His data-driven approach and attention to detail enable him to develop comprehensive e-commerce strategies that deliver measurable results.
As a Senior Ecommerce Consultant, Mr. Garp is adept at working closely with clients to understand their unique requirements, challenges, and goals. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement e-commerce solutions that align with business objectives and deliver exceptional user experiences.
Beyond his technical expertise, Mr. Garp possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills. He is known for his ability to effectively communicate complex concepts, build rapport with stakeholders, and foster strong client relationships. He takes a client-centric approach, ensuring that solutions are tailored to meet their specific needs and objectives.
With his extensive knowledge, strategic mindset, and dedication to client success, Mr. D Garp is a valuable asset for businesses seeking to establish or optimize their e-commerce presence. His guidance and insights help clients navigate the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape and achieve sustainable growth in the digital marketplace.