Companies, organizations or individual entities use promotional mugs as gifts or promotional items for a number of reasons. These are either for name recall or for "promotion" or dissemination of information about a company, brand or product line. There are different ways, such as above the line and below the line, and forms, such as TV, radio and the Internet, of promotions. The use of promotional mugs are part of the below the line promotional campaign.

Mugs, most used promotional items

Promotional mugs are one of the usual gift items or freebies that can be considered. Along with the umbrella, pen, pencil, letter opener, paperweight and other gift items, the mug can be considered as a 'cliché' when it comes to being a promotional item. Not only are people comfortable with giving a promotional mug as a gift item but it is also a timeless piece of kitchen or pantry item in the office or home that people simply cannot do without.

Mugs as a freebie

Companies or corporation usually gives promotional mugs as an additional freebie. Their usual lucky recipients are the company employees, employees of sister companies, and company clients or patrons. This is why you can easily spot a promotional mug in an office environment more than in a household. Though its usual market is the office environment, it is also fast becoming a common household item. Mug prices can range from US$ 2 to US$ 3 without any special coating so it is very cheap. Companies simply have to contract a company to provide the necessary coating or effects to promote the company, a brand or a product line.

Mugs -- Common personal items in office settings

Employees need coffee or water for the rest of the eight hours of work and a mug is a common employee personal item. If you will visit any office pantry in any company floor, you can take note of the overhead cabinets filled with personal mugs of the employees. Chances are, more than half of these personal mugs are promotional mugs that they have won in company contests or acquired for free from the company itself. Since it is a below the line type of promotion, people are pretty much unaware that promotion is taking place. It tends to help maintain loyalty to the company without the knowledge of the employee.

Mugs, Useful and lasts longer

Compare the promotional mug to other freebies such as pen or pencil and these freebies will not last as long. Compared to an umbrella or bag, these items are not regularly used to be much of a promotional item. Lastly, compared to a letter opener or paperweight, these items will just get lost under the pile of office documents. In the end, the promotional mug will be the most successful item as compared to all these gift items. Hence, it is also the preferred choice of most companies as a promotional item.


Mugs are expected to stay as the preferred choice for a promotional item for along time. Today, companies are looking for trendy designs to maintain the patronage of clients through the use of promotional mugs.