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Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in ). Since , Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic). Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February of (March print edition).

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Originally Published: December 24,
Updated: November 23,

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Question: Which mugs are Lead-free? What kind of mugs do you use in your home?

Answer: When I first got my hands on an XRF instrument and started testing things for Lead, one of the very first things I tested was my favorite set of Chantal mugs. I had a whole set of these mugs in different colors and I had purchased them to go with my favorite Chantal tea kettle. I was really surprised (and upset) that these mugs that I had purchased new at a reputable store in (made by what I assumed was a “reputable company,” no less) tested positive for Lead!

Those “favorite mugs” (pictured above) tested positive at 679 parts per million (ppm) Lead. Read more about XRF testing here!

Why is there Lead in mugs? How much Lead is “too much” Lead?

Total Lead content in the glaze or coating of modern mugs (as detectable with an XRF) is not regulated. As long as mugs are not leaching Lead at the time of manufacture (when they are brand-new), they are considered to be safe to use — even if the Lead content of the glaze is very high. However, for context, the amount of Lead considered unsafe (and illegal) in the paint, glaze, or coating of a newly-manufactured item manufactured and sold as “intended for use by children” is 90 ppm or higher. The good news is that, since children’s items are regulated for total Lead content (as of ), newly purchased children’s mugs legally must have coatings below 90 ppm Lead, and my findings have confirmed that manufacturers are generally complying with this law — although I recommend sticking with children’s items manufactured in or later, as it took a while for the companies and their supply chains to get up to speed in their compliance with the new regulations.

Since testing those first mugs, I have probably tested more than 1,000 mugs (they are one of the most popular things that people ask me to test and people often have collections of 20 or more mugs in their homes). Nearly all of the mugs I have tested have had at least some amount of Lead — some at ridiculously high levels (in the tens of thousands of parts per million!) added to many of the pattern transfers, or used as an ingredient to brightly-colored glazes that help stabilize the color (as I understand it), but it is not necessary for this purpose — as some companies have demonstrated — it is quite feasible to make mugs that are completely Lead-free.

Please click here to see some #LeadFree mugs we have tested and reported on.

Can a Leaded mug poison the user?

Years ago I learned of a case of an elderly Seattle couple who were both sick — with an illness that their doctor was having difficulty diagnosing. After some investigation, it turned out that this couple was Lead-poisoned — from drinking their coffee from the same Leaded mugs each morning as part of their breakfast routine! Please check out the articles linked below for more information on that as well.

Coffee is very acidic (as are many teas, juices, and some other beverages) and will leach Lead from mugs over time (especially from mugs with high Lead content, and are heavily used daily). This is even the case for mugs that ostensibly passed leach-testing at the time of manufacture. 

If you have coffee every morning like I do, it is a simple investment in your health to make sure you have a Lead-free mug.

Click here to read about French presses
(my preferred way to make coffee)!

Other than possible free consumer goods XRF testing, which may or may not be available in your area, there is not a reliable, cost-effective consumer method for testing mugs for Lead and other toxic heavy metals. The most reliable “old-school” method for determining actual Lead content (as opposed to merely determining whether any is leaching at the time of manufacture) involves sending the mug to a lab for “digestive testing” — which is a method that traditionally necessitates complete destruction of the item that is tested — to determine the Lead content. That test generally costs in the $70 to $300 range per item, depending on the scope of the test (and also, unlike XRF-testing, can only determine the aggregate Lead content without a precise breakdown of the levels present in the surface glaze or coating vs. the levels in the base material/substrate)! Considering the inconvenience and expense of the existing testing options, it is much more cost-effective to limit your selection to known Lead-free options when choosing a mug!

#SaferChoice: Given the still-widespread use of Leaded glazes (and Lead-contaminated base clays) in ceramic mugs today, unless you have access to high-precision XRF consumer goods testing for testing every potential mug choice, it’s easiest/safest to just stick with clear glass mugs (so long as you make sure to avoid Leaded crystal)!

Click HERE to see some of the mugs I have tested for Lead — and their Lead levels.

Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links where a purchase made
after clicking will earn Lead Safe Mama, LLC a small commission without costing you extra!

Some Lead-free mug choices on Amazon
Links Updated November 23, – Thursday

The mugs listed below are mugs that are the same as (or similar to) the Lead-free (or Lead-safe) ones I have personally tested and some of the mugs we use every day in our home.

1. $44.94 for a set of six. – These are the Lead-free mugs we are currently using in our home (by Duralex).
2. $17.49 for a set of six (on sale!) – Anchor Hocking 16-ounce Glass Mugs
3. $27.50 for a set of six – Libbey 15-1/2-Ounce Tapered Mugs
4. $22.99 for a set of four – Libbey 13 oz. Robusta Classic Coffee Mug
5. $29.99 for a set of four – Luminarc 13 oz. Nordic Mugs

Other recommendations for Lead-free mug choices:

I recommend most new items from Ikea (although avoid the bright colored ceramic mugs and other mugs with decorative elements, as Ikea mugs have recently been testing positive for Lead again in some of these brightly-colored ceramic glazes!) and pretty much any clear glass mugs (except Leaded crystal). Most vintage clear glass mugs are either Lead-safe or Lead-free, too (again, make sure you look out for and avoid Leaded crystal, though)!

I used to recommend mugs purchased at Starbucks because I had a streak there where every Starbucks mug I had tested was either Lead-free or below 90 ppm Lead. However, that streak ran out (I think with the expansion of their mug selection – and likely the consequent expansion of the number of manufacturers they are using). So I no longer recommend them for Lead-free mugs (in fact most of the new Starbucks mugs test positive for high levels Lead, Cadmium and / or Cobalt.)

Another great option for Lead-free mugs is something from a local potter who sources and mixes their own glazes.  Potters will usually mark their wares “Lead-free” these days (if they are Lead-free) because that is a good selling point! If the mugs are not marked, ask the potter if they know if they use Lead-free glazes or not. Typically with these items there will be traces of Lead in the ceramic substrate (usually about 20 to 40 ppm) and the glazes will be Lead free (protecting the user from any potential exposure to lead in the ceramic substrate.) I do recommend avoiding handmade mugs with red or orange or yellow glazes – as those will often test positive for high levels of Cadmium (which is a known carcinogen.)

My favorite potter on the planet (who also does use Lead-free glazes) is Greg Williams/Ceramic Generations, of San Anselmo, California. I have known him since , and his pottery is so beautiful — each piece is a true work of art. He is an old-world artisan who still does business exclusively out of his shop and at craft shows, and does not have a website (but if you Google him you can quickly find his contact information)!

For more information, please visit Ceramic Cup Supplier.

Read more about the concern for Lead in pottery here.

Things that I avoid when purchasing mugs:

1. Avoid anything labeled “crystal” or marked “Leaded crystal” (exception: Libbey “crystal” mugs are Lead-free!)
2. Avoid anything from Riedel or Waterford (just to be safe, since you don’t have an XRF instrument at home to test those items yourself).
3. Avoid anything mass-manufactured made of glazed ceramic (unless it is being sold as “Lead-free” – from a reputable company – and has been tested by a third party to confirm that it is Lead-fre). Note: many products being sold as “Lead-free” have not been tested by a third party — and are, in fact, not Lead-free!
4. Avoid anything with an enamel coating (both vintage and new – like the contemporary mug above — as well as those classicspeckled-blue-enamel-coated metal camping cups!).
5. Avoid anything with a decal image or logo applied to the surface inside or out (those decals are almost always very high-lead — especially if you can feel them with your fingertip/ they are slightly raised above the rest of the surface of the mug).
6. Avoid paint-it-yourself-pottery mugs (unless a known third party has tested their glaze for total Lead content).
7. Avoid Almost anything ceramic from a dollar store or thrift store – even if they are Lead-free they often test positive for high levels of Cadmium (it’s just not worth the risk).
8. Avoid stainless steel if you are going to use it for coffee (you can read more about that here.)

As always, please let me know if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them personally as soon as I have a moment (although it may take a while as I have disabled / lead poisoned kiddos underfoot 24/7 these days!)

Thank you for reading! 

Tamara Rubin
Owner – Lead Safe Mama, LLC
#LeadSafeMama

Some articles that may be of interest:

1. http://www.web-pub.com/library/brochure/leadmugs.html
2. http://www.lead.org.au/bblp/silent-epidemic.html
3. http://www.ehow.com/about__dangers-glazed-ceramic-coffee-mugs.html

Chantal “Made In China” mugs
As high as 679 parts per million (ppm) lead
Non-detect for arsenic

These were my mugs (before I started testing everything I own with an XRF instrument!) … I was totally bummed to let them go, but now I have only Lead-free mugs in my house!

When it comes to creating unique, eye-catching drinkware, personalized cups are a popular choice for everything from corporate giveaways to personal gifts. Whether you're looking to promote your business, commemorate a special event, or simply have a custom cup for yourself, the question that often arises is: How much does a customized cup cost? The answer can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the type of cup, the design process, and the quantity ordered.

If you're exploring options for custom drinkware, you can browse a wide range of affordable personalized cups on Quality Imprint's drinkware collection to get an idea of pricing and design possibilities.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Customized Cups

There are several factors that can influence the cost of creating a customized cup. These include the material of the cup, the printing or design method used, the complexity of the design, and the number of cups being produced.

1. Type of Cup Material

The material of the cup plays a big role in determining its price. The most common materials used for personalized cups include:

• Ceramic: Ceramic cups or mugs are popular choices for personalized drinkware due to their durability and ability to hold detailed designs. Customized ceramic cups can range in price from $3 to $10 per unit, depending on the design complexity and quantity ordered.
• Plastic: Plastic cups are a cost-effective option for large events or promotional giveaways. Prices for personalized plastic cups typically range from $1 to $5 per unit.
• Stainless Steel: If you're looking for something more durable and premium, stainless steel cups or tumblers are a great choice. These tend to be more expensive, usually ranging from $7 to $20 per cup, depending on the size and customization options.
• Glass: Glass cups offer a sleek and elegant appearance, often used for high-end gifts or events. The price for customized glassware can range between $4 and $15, depending on the type and design.

2. Customization Method

The method used to transfer your design onto the cup can also affect the price. Here are some common customization techniques:

• Sublimation Printing: This technique is great for producing high-quality, full-color designs. It’s often used for ceramic and metal cups, with costs ranging from $4 to $12 per cup. Sublimation is ideal for detailed logos, photos, and multi-color designs.
• Screen Printing: Screen printing is a popular method for bulk orders. It is more cost-effective for simple designs with fewer colors. Depending on the number of colors in the design, prices can range from $2 to $10 per cup.
• Laser Engraving: Laser engraving provides a more permanent design option, especially for stainless steel or glass cups. This method tends to be on the higher end of the pricing scale, with prices typically ranging from $5 to $20 per cup.
• Vinyl Decals: For DIY enthusiasts or small-scale customizations, vinyl decals are an affordable option, with prices generally falling between $1 and $3 per cup for materials, but they may not be as durable as other methods.

3. Order Quantity

One of the biggest factors affecting the price of customized cups is the quantity ordered. Generally, the more cups you order, the lower the cost per unit due to bulk discounts. For example:

• Small Orders (1-50 cups): The price per cup will likely be higher for small orders, ranging from $5 to $15 per cup, depending on the customization method and materials.
• Medium Orders (50-200 cups): At this quantity, many suppliers offer price breaks, so the cost per cup may drop to between $3 and $10.
• Large Orders (200+ cups): If you’re ordering in bulk, especially for events or promotions, the price per cup can go as low as $1 to $5 depending on the type of cup and design.

4. Complexity of Design

The complexity of your design also impacts the cost. Cups with simple, one-color logos will be less expensive than those with detailed, multi-color images or intricate designs. Here’s how design complexity can influence pricing:

• Single-Color Designs: If you're opting for a simple, one-color logo or text, the cost will be on the lower end, generally between $1 and $5 per cup.
• Multi-Color or Full-Color Designs: More complex, multi-color designs, especially those that require detailed printing processes like sublimation, will increase the price, typically ranging from $5 to $15 per cup.
• Custom Artwork: If you need help creating or adjusting artwork, some suppliers charge a fee for design services. This can range from $20 to $100 or more depending on the complexity and time required.

Average Cost of Customized Cups Based on Use

To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are some common use cases for personalized cups and their associated costs:

• Corporate Gifts: For high-quality ceramic or stainless steel mugs with company logos, expect to pay around $5 to $15 per cup, depending on the order size and complexity of the design.
• Event Giveaways: If you're ordering plastic or paper cups in bulk for a large event, costs typically range from $1 to $3 per cup, making it an affordable option for mass distribution.
• Personalized Gifts: If you're creating a one-off gift, such as a personalized mug with a photo or special message, expect to pay around $10 to $20 for a single cup, depending on the printing method and material.
• Wedding Favors: For custom cups used as wedding favors, many couples opt for simple designs on glass or plastic cups, with prices ranging from $2 to $6 per cup for bulk orders.

Where to Buy Customized Cups

When shopping for customized cups, it’s essential to consider both quality and price. Many online retailers offer a range of customization options to suit different budgets and design needs. For affordable and high-quality personalized cups, check out the Quality Imprint drinkware collection. They offer a variety of styles and customization options at competitive prices.

Final Thoughts

The cost of customized cups can vary widely depending on factors like material, design complexity, and order quantity. Whether you're looking to create a single personalized gift or bulk order for a large event, understanding these factors will help you make an informed decision. By balancing your design goals with your budget, you can find the perfect personalized cup option that suits your needs and expectations.

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