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Soyuz 31 (Soyuz Programme) Black Coffee Mug

Soyuz 31 (Soyuz Programme) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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Soyuz 31 - Black Mug Design

A 1970s photograph-style scene of two cosmonauts in Sokol spacesuits, set beside a space capsule hatch and marked with the lettering of a Cold War mission.

Visual Elements & Composition

The design is built on a single rectangle. White takes the largest share of the palette, and a strong blue field gives the scene its cool, atmospheric depth. Tan and a touch of red warm the edges, while black anchors the darkest passages. The two cosmonauts sit at the centre of the frame, their suits the clearest forms in the picture, with the capsule hatch behind them. Text runs through the composition: CCCP, DDR, INTERKOSMOS and SPACE FACTS, each set in place as a label rather than a caption.

Meaning & Symbolism

CCCP is the Soviet Union's name in Cyrillic. INTERKOSMOS was the cooperative space programme that flew cosmonauts from socialist nations, and DDR places the East German contribution in the frame. Soyuz 31, launched in August 1978, carried Valery Bykovsky and Sigmund Jähn, the first German in space, so the design honours a moment of shared achievement during the Cold War. The retro photographic styling points to the decade itself, when the space race was a matter of national pride and cross-border partnership at once.

Turning the Story in Your Hand

A mug is something you turn while you drink, so this composition unfolds in stages. The cosmonauts come into view as you lift it to your lips, the hatch and lettering rotate round the curve as you turn it, and the C-shaped handle keeps the scene in front of you during your first sip. Every rotation reveals a little more of the mission, which suits a design that tells its story in pieces. It makes a fitting companion for a slow morning coffee or a late-night cocoa, the kind of quiet moment where a little space history can be read, one side at a time.

Size

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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.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. 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.