Independent guide

Personalised mug design and proof checklist

A controlled brief keeps personal details, artwork and the approved production version together.

Updated 2026-09-10

Write the personalisation record

Copy names, dates, titles and messages from the customer's supplied wording. Mark capitalisation and punctuation explicitly rather than correcting or guessing.

Design for the printable area

Ask the producer for dimensions and safe areas. Consider handles, seams and the viewing direction, and keep small text and important details away from uncertain edges.

Check ownership and licences

Record the creator and permitted use for illustrations, fonts, photographs and other assets. Replace material whose product-use rights cannot be confirmed.

Approve a named version

Put a version label on the proof and production file. Record the approver, date and exact accepted wording, and require a new approval after any change.

Sources and further reading

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