About this design
RJ-168
RJ-168 (Brazil) (Road Sign) Black Coffee Mug
This design takes the form of a Brazilian road sign: a pentagonal route marker that reads RJ 168, drawn as a clean, flat vector emblem.
Visual Elements & Composition
White dominates the artwork, with a solid black field and a small amount of grey setting the outline and detail. The pentagonal badge carries a double outline, a detail that gives the shape a crisp, official-looking frame. Inside it, the letters RJ sit above the numerals 168, set in bold, evenly weighted type that reads at a glance. Nothing competes for attention. The layout is strictly centred, with no background scenery, so the sign stands alone.
Meaning & Symbolism
Route markers are the everyday language of travel. Each one tells a driver which road they are on and where it leads. Here, RJ is the abbreviation for Rio de Janeiro state, and 168 is the route number within it, so the sign names a specific place and a specific road in a few characters. The artwork belongs to the modern, utilitarian tradition of signage, where function and clarity come first. Its minimal treatment turns a roadside marker into a quiet tribute to Brazil's regional identity, one that rewards anyone who recognises the code.
Made for the Hand
A mug is turned in the hand, so this sign is seen in pieces: the badge rotates into view as the cup is lifted, and the numerals come round to meet the eye on each sip. The strong white-on-black contrast reads clearly from the side of the cup and from across the table, which suits a mug that spends its life close to the face. It makes a thoughtful gift for a traveller, a Rio native, or anyone who collects maps and road signs, and it turns the first coffee of the day into a small journey.
- Theme
- Road Sign
- Place
- Brazil
- 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.