Make that cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate even better and make them smile each time they take a sip, with a Personalised Mug to show you care, and what’s more no-one will wonder who’s mug is who’s anymore!
With a selection of ‘brewtiful’ designs these mugs are perfect small gift. Our collections range from Mugs for Mum or Dad, Nan or Grandad, Children little and big, Football or Golf Fans and much more! So come and take a look today there is something for everyone!
Looking for the perfect coffee mug for the office or home? At Issy, we have a wide range of ceramic mugs to suit every style, and for those on the go, we also have some fun travel unique mugs. Our mugs make great gifts for tea and coffee lovers, with our special personalised mugs showing thoughtful quotes that are ideal for mums and dads.
The origin of the mug dates back thousands of years. The earliest mugs, discovered in China, Japan, and the Middle East, were made around 4,000-5,000 BCE and were crafted from wood, bone, or clay. These early versions were basic and hand-shaped. As pottery techniques evolved, people began making mugs from ceramic materials, using rudimentary kilns to harden them.
The invention of the potter’s wheel around 3,500 BCE allowed for more uniform shapes and mass production of mugs, leading to wider use and distribution. Ancient civilisations such as the Greeks and Romans improved on mug designs by introducing handles, making them more practical to use.
With advancements in ceramic glazes and firing techniques, mugs became more durable, decorative, and diverse. Throughout history, materials like metal (including bronze, silver, and pewter) were also used for making mugs, and in the 18th century, porcelain mugs gained popularity in Europe, showcasing intricate designs and serving as symbols of status and craftsmanship.
Today, mugs are made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, glass, metal, and plastic, but their basic purpose—to hold hot or cold beverages—remains the same, continuing a rich tradition that has evolved over millennia.
Mugs often have concave bottoms for a combination of practical, functional, and manufacturing reasons:
Stability: The concave design helps distribute the weight of the mug more evenly, lowering the centre of gravity and increasing stability on flat surfaces. This reduces the likelihood of the mug tipping over, especially when it is full.
Thermal Insulation: By slightly raising the centre of the mug off a surface, a concave bottom reduces direct heat transfer. This helps maintain the drink’s temperature for a longer time and also protects tables and other surfaces from heat damage caused by hot drinks. This slight elevation is particularly useful for wooden or sensitive surfaces.
Efficient Drying: When mugs are placed upside down after washing, the concave bottom allows air circulation, enabling faster drying by preventing water from becoming trapped underneath. This design minimises the buildup of moisture and reduces the risk of bacteria or mildew growth.
Manufacturing Benefits: During the ceramic firing process, the concave shape helps prevent warping due to thermal stresses, as the clay expands and contracts. A flat-bottomed mug may warp or become uneven, but a concave shape maintains structural integrity. This design also facilitates easier stacking and stability during transport and storage.
Overall, concave bottoms enhance the usability, longevity, and practicality of mugs, making them a thoughtful and effective design choice rooted in both tradition and modern needs.
Appearing first in the 1980s, travel mugs are specially designed containers meant for carrying beverages on the go. Unlike regular mugs, they come with features that make them more practical and effective for travelling or commuting.
Insulation: Travel mugs are typically made with insulated walls, either double-walled stainless steel or other materials, designed to keep beverages hot or cold for extended periods. Regular mugs, made from ceramic, glass, or porcelain, are not insulated, so drinks cool down or warm up more quickly.
Spill-Proof Lids: Travel mugs come with tightly fitting, often spill-proof or leak-proof lids to prevent spills during transport. Many also feature sipping mechanisms that can be opened and closed. Regular mugs usually do not have lids, making them less practical for use on the move.
Durability: Travel mugs are often made from more durable materials, like stainless steel or strong plastics, to withstand the rigours of travel and outdoor use. Regular mugs, typically made from ceramic or glass, are more fragile and suited for stationary use at home or in the office.
Portability: Travel mugs are designed to be lightweight and fit easily into car cup holders, bags, or backpacks. They are generally slimmer, taller, and easier to carry around than regular mugs, which are often bulkier and intended for tabletop use.
Heat/Cold Retention: The double-walled insulation in travel mugs provides superior heat and cold retention, making them ideal for keeping drinks at the desired temperature for hours. Regular mugs lose heat quickly due to their thinner walls and lack of insulation.
Material Options: While regular mugs are predominantly ceramic, travel mugs are often made from stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, or silicone to enhance portability and temperature control.
In essence, travel mugs are designed for convenience, insulation, and spill prevention, making them perfect for people on the go. Regular mugs prioritise comfort and aesthetic appeal, ideal for enjoying beverages at home or work.
A heat-sensitive mug, also known as a colour-changing mug, is a type of mug that changes its appearance when a hot liquid is poured into it. These mugs use a thermochromic coating that reacts to heat, revealing designs, patterns, or colours that are otherwise hidden when the mug is at room temperature or cold.
How It Works:
The outer layer of the mug is coated with a thermochromic pigment, which reacts to temperature changes.
When a hot drink (like coffee, tea, or hot water) is added, the heat activates the pigment, causing it to change colour or become transparent, revealing a design beneath.
As the mug cools, it gradually returns to its original state, either hiding the design again or changing colours back to its “cold” state.
Popular Uses:
Novelty and Gifts: Heat-sensitive mugs are popular as novelty gifts due to their “magic” reveal effect, often featuring fun messages, images, or themes.
Promotional Items: Companies sometimes use them as promotional products to showcase logos or marketing messages in a unique way.
Interactive Designs: Some mugs have interactive designs that “transform” as you sip, creating a dynamic visual experience.
Heat-sensitive mugs provide a visually engaging and interactive drinking experience, making them a fun and unique addition to any drinkware collection.
A double-walled mug is a type of mug constructed with two layers of material, typically with a small air gap between the inner and outer walls. This design provides superior insulation compared to regular, single-walled mugs, offering several benefits:
Enhanced Insulation: The air pocket between the two walls acts as an insulator, helping to maintain the temperature of your beverage for longer. This means hot drinks stay hot and cold drinks stay cold without significant temperature changes.
Cool Touch Exterior: Because the heat (or cold) is better retained inside the mug, the outer layer remains cool to the touch, even when the beverage inside is very hot. This reduces the risk of burning your hand and provides added comfort when holding the mug.
Condensation-Free: For cold drinks, double-walled mugs prevent condensation from forming on the outside. This keeps surfaces dry and eliminates the need for a coaster.
Durability: Many double-walled mugs are made from materials like borosilicate glass or stainless steel, which are strong, resistant to thermal shock, and can withstand temperature changes without cracking or warping.
Aesthetic Appeal: Double-walled glass mugs, in particular, are visually striking, as they give the appearance of the drink “floating” within the outer layer.
Keeps Beverages Hot or Cold Longer: The insulating layer helps retain the drink’s temperature, making these mugs perfect for hot coffee, tea, or cold beverages.
Comfort: You can comfortably hold the mug without feeling the temperature of the drink inside.
No Need for Coasters: The lack of condensation with cold drinks means surfaces are protected.
Overall, double-walled mugs offer practicality, improved insulation, and an enhanced drinking experience, making them a popular choice for both hot and cold beverages.
