Time for coffee. Time for tea. Cocoa at noon. You know that one cup, right? The one that teammates fight for, the one with the logo that has faded after years of being washed. Printed mugs with your logo brand on them are more than just cups for coffee. They are icebreakers, quiet salespeople, double agents in workplace espionage (who’s from accounting?), and those small Trojan horses that land up on your client’s kitchen shelf. People don’t give them enough credit, yet they’re constantly there.

Let’s speak about what it means. Psychologists say that people recall things they see over and over again. Every time someone picks up a mug with your logo on it, they will remember your brand. You don’t need enormous billboards when you can make your imprint during someone’s morning routine. The extra? Mugs move about. Offices, homes, events, gift bags, and break rooms. Your brand is in twenty more hands before you know it, and it becomes part of someone else’s story.

It matters that the quality be good. You don’t want your logo to look bad after three passes through the dishwasher. Think about the material. Porcelain feels nice. Stoneware is weighty and strong, and it will last for years. If you care about the environment, bamboo mixes or recycled ceramics will get people talking and turn heads. Choose wisely; no one wants their brand to come off with the coffee grounds.

Design is a deal breaker. Put a logo on slapdash, and it appears like you received the last-minute batch. Have fun with color. It may be bright and bold, like neon, that says, “Look at me!” Or it could be sleek and monochrome, like stealth mode. Placement is also important. Front, back, and surprise bottom printing (“You finished!”) “Time for a refill?” The more strange, the better. Don’t let corporate drab cover up your creativity.

These are what events want. People like getting something real, like at a conference, a product launch, or a thank-you from a client. A lot more fun than a business card. When you give someone a mug with a story, they smile. They remark, “This mug?” and then they tell me, “I got it at that crazy product launch with the taco truck and free socks.” A mug suddenly becomes a memory.

It’s never been easier to place an order. Many providers now let you see your design online before you buy it. This makes it easy to change typefaces or try new colors. Minimum amounts have also gone down. You don’t need a big space to start. Small businesses can even give out unique mugs like confetti during a parade.

If you care about packaging, go green. Kraft boxes, no plastic, extra points. Some businesses let you write a note on the inside of the box. “Enjoy your brew—on us!” Go the extra mile. People notice this little thing.

Mugs with your branding on them aren’t only free. They get people talking, are reluctant heroes of morning meetings, and are like tiny billboards. Take a glance at the mug in your hand the next time you drink coffee. What does it say about you? Maybe it’s time for your mug to tell a fresh story.