You’ve picked your cup, you know your message—but how do you make sure your logo actually pops on your custom drinkware?
Whether you’re designing mugs for your coffee shop, tumblers for a festival, or branded cups for your business, the right design makes all the difference. At Kings Cups, we’ve helped brands of all sizes turn drinkware into eye-catching, effective marketing tools.
Here are our top design tips to make sure your logo doesn’t just show up—it stands out.
1. Choose High-Contrast Color Combos
The biggest mistake we see? Printing a dark logo on a dark cup. If it’s hard to see, it’s easy to forget.
✅ Do:
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White logo on black cup
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Black logo on stainless steel
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Bright colors (neon or pastel) on clear or neutral backgrounds
❌ Don’t:
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Gray-on-gray
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Low-saturation pastels on white
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Transparent logos with thin lines
🎨 Pro Tip: When in doubt, go bold. High-contrast always photographs better for social sharing too.
2. Use Vector Files for Crisp, Scalable Designs
Your logo might look great on your website—but stretched onto a curved surface, pixelation becomes a problem fast.
Submit a vector file (.AI, .EPS, or .SVG) for the sharpest results. If you only have a JPEG or PNG, we can help convert or clean it up.
3. Keep It Simple—Especially at Small Sizes
Remember, your logo may only take up 2–3 inches on a cup. Avoid:
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Tiny text or taglines
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Intricate line work
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Cluttered background images
Strong, clean logos with 1–3 colors are ideal for drinkware printing. Need a refresh? Our in-house team can help simplify or optimize your current logo.
4. Placement is Everything
Where your logo appears can impact how often it’s seen and how easily it's photographed.
📍 Best placement options:
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Centered front (facing outward when held in right hand)
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Wrap-around designs for full coverage
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Bottom stamp for added branding (great for ceramic mugs)
For events, consider adding:
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Event name
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Year or date
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Website or QR code
5. Match the Logo to the Cup’s Shape & Size
Tall, narrow tumbler? Use a vertical logo or stacked version. Short, wide mug? Go with a horizontal layout.
A good rule: design within the “printable area” and test a mockup before finalizing. At Kings Cups, we always provide digital proofs so you can see the final layout before production.
6. Use Drinkware as a Brand Extension
Your drinkware should reflect your brand’s tone and personality.
| Brand Style | Drinkware Design Example |
|---|---|
| Minimal / Modern | Monochrome logo on matte black tumbler |
| Playful / Youthful | Bright colors, bold fonts, fun tagline |
| Elegant / Premium | Metallic logo on white ceramic or glass |
| Eco-Conscious | Natural tones with recycled material + clean icon |
Ready to Make Your Logo Look Amazing?
At Kings Cups, we don’t just print logos—we bring them to life. Whether you already have artwork or need help refining your brand, we’ll make sure your custom drinkware looks exactly how you imagined.
👉 Start Designing Your Custom Cup Today — Free mockups and expert design support included.