Photo mugs are often given as gifts and feature the likeness of someone special, which may be a friend, relative or even a pet in some cases. A good example of the perfect occasion for giving photo mugs as a gift would be a birth announcement or child's birthday celebration. The parents of the little one would have their child's picture designed for use on the outside of a mug. Upon placing the order, the photo mugs would be created and could then be distributed to friends and family. This would be a wonderful way for family members to always have a photo of their favorite new addition sitting on the coffee table. In addition, personalized photo mugs can be presented with candy inside and given as a special gift.

Because photo mugs are designed for decorative purposes, many individuals do not actually use them to drink from. Prolonged washing may cause cracking or could result in the photo fading. To avoid this from happening, many people use photo mugs as pen and pencil holders that are strategically placed on the living room coffee or end table. Commonly made of ceramic, just as with any standard mug, photo mugs are available in a variety of base colors with various border designs and/or whimsy patterns.

With continued advancements in technology, many photo centers now allow customers to bring in their favorite picture on paper or disc and order photo mugs on site. Many developers allow the customer to crop the photo, add borders and/or perform touch-ups when placing the order. A number of online photo studios offer the same convenience as local studios, but both will ask the customer to allow for additional delivery time on personalized orders of photo mugs. Common photos that are used would include special occasions, favorite pets, friends and family members, etc.

In addition to commemorating special events or people, personalized photo mugs and other products are a terrific way to earn some extra money. In many cases, especially with personalized photo mugs, these products are used as knick knacks that are more for visual purposes than actual use. These products are extremely popular at craft fairs and through other special order opportunities.