Custom Logo Ceramic Mug Decals

Ceramic decals are transfer prints made with ceramic pigments that are fired onto glazed or unglazed ware at 560-1350°C, fusing the decoration permanently into the surface. There is no adhesive film left to peel, which is why fired decoration survives dishwashers, detergents and years of handling.

What Are Ceramic Decals?

Also called ceramic transfers, they are printed onto a gummed paper, soaked in water, slid onto the ware and then fired in a kiln. When the paper burns away, the pigment softens and bonds into the glaze. The same process decorates bone china, hotel tableware, promotional mugs, tiles and glass.

How a Ceramic Decal Is Applied

1. Print - ceramic pigments are screen printed onto water-soluble paper with a cover coat.
2. Soak - 20-40 seconds in clean water until the film releases from the paper.
3. Apply - slide the film onto the ware and squeegee air out from the centre.
4. Dry and fire - moisture must evaporate fully before firing, or the film blisters in the kiln.

Ceramic Decal Types by Firing Temperature

Firing temperature decides which pigments are possible, which surfaces the decal bonds to, and how the finished decoration performs in service.

Low-fire glass enamel (560-620°C)

For glass, which softens above roughly 600°C. Standard for bottles, jars and tumblers. Less abrasion-resistant than ceramic decoration, so hand wash or light dishwasher use is advised.

Overglaze (750-900°C)

Fired on top of an existing glaze. The most common type for custom mugs, plates and tiles, because the lower temperature allows bright reds, oranges and metallics. A correctly fired overglaze withstands several hundred domestic dishwasher cycles.

Precious metal and lustre (740-850°C)

Real gold and platinum for premium giftware and rims. The softest finish in the range, so hand washing is recommended and abrasive detergents should be avoided.

Inglaze (1,200-1,300°C)

The decal goes onto the unfired glaze and both fire together in one cycle. Excellent abrasion and detergent resistance, with a narrower colour palette.

Underglaze (1,250-1,400°C)

Fired onto the unglazed body. The most durable option and the standard for commercial dinnerware, porcelain and bone china. Bright reds and some yellows are not achievable.

Overglaze vs Underglaze

For domestic washing and maximum design freedom, choose overglaze. For commercial kitchens and heavy abrasion, specify underglaze or inglaze.

Customisation Options

Artwork

AI, EPS or PDF preferred, because vector artwork separates cleanly for spot printing. High-resolution PSD is accepted.

Colour matching

Ceramic pigments are matched as spot colours rather than CMYK, within what survives your firing range - so the firing temperature must be agreed before matching begins.

Opaque white for dark ware

A white base layer sits under the artwork on dark mugs and tiles so colours stay true. It adds film thickness, so edge visibility on tight curves is checked at sampling.

Layout, sampling and MOQ

Individual cut shapes or multi-design gang sheets, whichever is cheaper at your quantity. We print a sample sheet first so you can fire and test it on your own ware before committing.

Food Safety and Compliance

Decoration contacting food is regulated on the fired result, not the liquid ink. We supply lead-free and cadmium-free systems meeting FDA ceramic ware requirements, EU 84/500/EEC, ISO 6486 release limits and LFGB. For rim and internal decoration we recommend testing the fired ware, since release rates also depend on glaze chemistry and firing profile.

How to Order

1. Send artwork, ware type and glaze, available firing temperature and quantity.
2. We confirm feasible colours and layout, then quote.
3. You fire and approve the sample sheet.
4. Production, protective packing and export documentation.

Send artwork and ware details to sales@decalsspecialist.com, or see water slide decal paper and our manufacturing capability.