About this design
IRL N28
IRL N28 (Ireland) (Road Sign) Black Coffee Mug
This design takes the form of a road route marker, a green sign plate carrying the designation N28 and set against Ireland's road network.
Visual Elements & Composition
Forest green fills most of the frame, held within a rounded rectangle that reads as a sign plate. A white border frames the edge, and the route number sits in golden yellow at the centre. The lettering is bold and direct, with the letters IRL and the numeral 28 forming the only text. The flat, vector-style shapes are clean and unfussy, so the sign reads at a glance. Black appears only as a small accent, letting the green, white and yellow carry the composition.
Meaning & Symbolism
Route markers are the everyday language of travel. Each number tells a driver where they are and where the road leads, and the colours and shapes are a national shorthand for the roads of Ireland. The N28 designation belongs to the national route system, and the green plate with its yellow numeral is the signage style that drivers across the island recognise without thinking. Here the sign is lifted out of the road and presented as a piece of graphic design, celebrating the quiet, practical artistry of the road sign and the country it guides people through.
Turning the Sign in Hand
A mug is a sign you read on the move. As you lift it and turn it toward you, the green plate comes round to meet your eye, with the yellow numeral catching the light each time. The handle sits on one side, so the sign faces you as you drink, and the composition wraps evenly around the curve of the cup. Every morning it becomes a small roadside stop on your own route.
- Theme
- Road Sign
- Place
- Ireland
- Also on
- 1 other mugs & glasses
- Printed
- When you order it
Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.
These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.
They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.
- Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
- Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
- Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
- Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
- Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.
These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.
- Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
- Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
- Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.
Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.
These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.
Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.
Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.
Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.
Size guide
All measurements are product dimensions in inches.
| 11 oz | 15 oz | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (in) | 3.86 | 4.72 |
| Diameter (in) | 3.35 | 3.35 |
| Diameter with handle (in) | 4.72 | 5.12 |
Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.