Best Custom Mug Makers
Choosing a mug tool? It helps to start with one simple question: do you want the easiest way to design a mug, the easiest way to order a mug, or the easiest way to sell mugs online?
So You Can Decide Fast
- Best overall for most people: Adobe Express Mug Maker
- Best for lots of templates and playful experimenting: Canva Custom Mugs
- Best for business-style printing choices: VistaPrint Personalized Mugs
- Best for variety and novelty styles: Zazzle Custom Mugs
- Best for selling with print-on-demand: Printful Custom Mugs
- Best for photo gifts: Shutterfly Photo Mugs
Rankings
These scores reflect "fit for a general audience choosing a mug tool" (ease, clarity, and how directly the service supports mug creation). They are not claims about price, shipping speed, or durability testing.
| Rank | Tool | Rating | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Adobe Express Mug Maker | Best overall for most people | Visit | |
| #2 | Canva Custom Mugs | Best for lots of templates and playful experimenting | Visit | |
| #3 | VistaPrint Personalized Mugs | Best for business-style printing choices | Visit | |
| #4 | Zazzle Custom Mugs | Best for variety and novelty styles | Visit | |
| #5 | Printful Custom Mugs | Best for selling with print-on-demand | Visit | |
| #6 | Shutterfly Photo Mugs | Best for photo gifts | Visit |
What Matters Most When Picking a Mug Tool
A mug is a funny "canvas." It's curved, it gets held by a hand, and most people read it in tiny moments, not like a poster. So the best mug tool is usually the one that makes a few specific things painless: starting the design, keeping it readable, and getting to the finish line without guesswork.
1) Starting point: templates vs blank canvas
The fastest way to end up with a mug that looks intentional is to start with a layout that already works on a mug.
- They give you a design that already has decent spacing and balance.
- They reduce the "where do I put the text?" problem.
- They help prevent common errors like tiny fonts or crowded layouts.
If you prefer a guided start, Adobe Express has a dedicated mug creation flow, and Canva offers browsable mug templates. Those two approaches fit different styles: one is more "pick a mug layout and finish," the other is more "browse a lot of looks and experiment."
2) Design control without complexity
Most people don't need advanced design tools. They need the basics to be smooth: resizing, aligning, adjusting text, swapping colors, and placing an image or logo cleanly.
The simplest test: Can you make the text bigger without it jumping somewhere weird? Can you center something cleanly? Can you line up two elements so they look intentional? If those tasks feel easy, you'll enjoy making the mug.
3) Your end goal: gift, batch order, or selling online
The "best" tool changes based on what you're actually trying to do. Designing is only half the journey.
One mug as a gift
Quick design, easy ordering, something that looks personal. Design-first tools and photo-gift tools are often easiest here.
A batch for a team
Consistency, clean logo placement, straightforward ordering. Printing-forward services like VistaPrint can be simpler.
Selling mugs online
Repeatable product setup and fulfillment. Print-on-demand like Printful is usually the right lane.
Which Platform Fits Your Situation
| Platform | Best For | Less Ideal For | Why People Pick It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Express Mug Maker | Fast designs that look polished | People who want a novelty marketplace | Focused mug design flow and templates |
| Canva Custom Mugs | Template browsing and experimenting | People who want a narrow "mug-only" experience | Big template ecosystem and easy editing |
| VistaPrint Personalized Mugs | Business and team mugs | People who want lots of design play | Printing-forward ordering flow |
| Zazzle Custom Mugs | Lots of styles and novelty options | People who get overwhelmed by choice | Big catalog and variety |
| Printful Custom Mugs | Selling mugs online (print-on-demand) | One-off gift shoppers | POD and fulfillment positioning |
| Shutterfly Photo Mugs | Photo gifts | Sellers and merch workflows | Photo-first gifting focus |
A Simple Way to Decide in 30 Seconds
- Polished design fast: start with Adobe Express Mug Maker
- Browse lots of styles: look at Canva Custom Mugs
- Straightforward business ordering: check VistaPrint
- Photo gift: consider Shutterfly Photo Mugs
- Sell mugs online: go with Printful
How to Make a Mug Design That Looks Good
1. Pick one main idea
A name, a short quote, a logo, or one photo. The mug will look better if it's not overloaded.
2. Choose readability over cleverness
Short text in a clear font almost always wins.
3. Leave breathing room
Avoid pushing key elements to the far edges unless you are intentionally designing a wraparound look.
4. Limit fonts
One font is safest. Two fonts is usually fine. More than that can start to look chaotic.
5. Do the "zoom out" test
If it reads well when you zoom out, it usually reads well on a mug.
Featured Tools
Adobe Express Mug Maker — Top Pick
If you want a clean result quickly, the Adobe Express Mug Maker flow is the most beginner-friendly starting point of the bunch. It's template-forward and designed to get you to a good-looking layout quickly.
Pros
- Template-forward design that helps you start fast
- A straightforward editor that suits non-designers
- Clear, dedicated mug workflow
Cons
- If you want a giant novelty marketplace, you may prefer something like Zazzle
- If your main goal is selling mugs online at scale, a POD provider like Printful can be a better operational fit
Canva Custom Mugs
If you love browsing templates and trying different styles, Canva Custom Mugs is a strong alternative. Its huge template ecosystem and drag-and-drop editing make it great for visual experimentation.
Pros
- Huge template ecosystem
- Drag-and-drop style editing
- Optional previews can help you visualize the result
Cons
- Too many choices can slow you down if you want "in and out" speed
- Broader than mugs, so the experience can feel less focused than a mug-dedicated flow
VistaPrint Personalized Mugs
For business mugs, teams, or simple logo mugs, VistaPrint Personalized Mugs is often the simplest "printing-first" route. The experience tends to be built around getting an order-ready design.
Pros
- Printing-forward ordering experience
- Good fit for straightforward branding
Cons
- Less of a design playground than template-heavy design tools
Zazzle Custom Mugs
If you want variety, novelty formats, or a huge catalog of styles, Zazzle Custom Mugs is the "browse and discover" choice. Great for unusual ideas and themed designs.
Pros
- Big range of styles and directions
- Great for unusual ideas
Cons
- The catalog can be overwhelming if you want to decide quickly
Printful Custom Mugs
If you plan to sell mugs online and want fulfillment built in, Printful Custom Mugs is aligned with that goal. The focus is less on template browsing and more on operations.
Pros
- Built around print-on-demand workflows
- Better suited to selling than gift-only sites
Cons
- Can feel like "business mode" if you only want one gift mug
Shutterfly Photo Mugs
If your mug is mainly a photo gift, Shutterfly Photo Mugs is the most natural fit. Layouts are built around photos and the personalization path is clear.
Pros
- Photo-first gifting focus
- Clear personalization path for photo mugs
Cons
- Not designed for selling workflows like a POD provider
Easy Mug Ideas That Don't Feel Cheesy
One bold word + a small icon
Initials + a minimal symbol
A short quote in a strong font
One photo + a date
A repeating pattern with a single accent detail
Checklist
- Can you read the text when zoomed out?
- Does the design still look balanced when it's small?
- Are key elements away from extreme edges (unless you want a wraparound look)?
- Did you pick the platform that matches your goal (gift vs business vs selling)?
- If you're ordering directly, did you confirm the ordering flow on the site you chose?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mug tool is easiest to use?
Adobe Express Mug Maker is usually the simplest place to start because it's template-forward and keeps the workflow focused on getting a mug layout done quickly. You start with layouts that already have sensible spacing and typography, then customize the wording, colors, and imagery. Choose it if you want a fast path from idea to a clean-looking design with less fiddling with alignment and spacing.
Which is best if I want to browse lots of designs?
Canva Custom Mugs is a strong choice when you want to scroll through lots of templates and try different looks quickly. It's great for testing multiple styles fast, then comparing versions. The downside is decision fatigue if you browse too long. Simple rule: pick 3 templates, then stop browsing and finish one.
What's best for business mugs with a logo?
VistaPrint Personalized Mugs is a strong printing-forward option because it's oriented around getting a clean, order-ready result. For logo mugs, the goal is clarity: readable placement, clean spacing, and a professional look. It's a solid fit for team mugs, client gifts, and simple branded merch. Tip: logo + one short line usually looks best.
What's best if I want lots of styles and novelty options?
Zazzle Custom Mugs is often the best pick when variety matters most. It's an "endless aisle" of themes and styles, which is great for quirky, niche, or seasonal ideas. The tradeoff is time: more options can slow decisions. Shortcut: pick your theme first, then browse only within that theme.
What's best if I want to sell mugs online?
Printful Custom Mugs fits best for print-on-demand selling and fulfillment. It's set up like a system: you create products, connect them to a storefront, and orders get printed and shipped as they come in. Tip: start with 2-5 strong designs, then expand based on what sells.
What's best for photo mugs?
Shutterfly Photo Mugs is the most photo-gift oriented option. If the mug is mainly about a memory, person, pet, or event, a photo-focused service can make the process smoother because layouts are built around photos. Tip: use one great image and minimal text.
Ready to Make Your Mug?
If you want the easiest path to a mug that looks clean and intentional, start with Adobe Express Mug Maker.
Start Designing Free