Showing 11oz · 15 shared views
About this design
SP-138
SP-138 (Brazil) (Road Sign) Black Coffee Mug
This design lifts a single road marker from the Brazilian highway system: a stark, flat pentagon bearing the letters SP and the numeral 138.
Visual Elements & Composition
The artwork is almost entirely white, with black taking up roughly one-eighth of the frame. The pentagonal outline sits centred and unadorned, with no gradients, shadows or background scenery to soften it. The letters and numerals are set in bold black, stacked with clear space around them so the marker reads instantly from a distance. It is a flat vector piece built on contrast and restraint, and nothing in it competes with the route designation.
Meaning & Symbolism
The "SP" prefix identifies São Paulo state, the most populous state in Brazil, and "138" is its route number within the state network. Road shields like this one are how drivers orient themselves across a landscape, so the design carries the quiet authority of wayfinding. It speaks to the sense of place that a route gives a region, the way a single numbered road can thread through towns, farms and cities. The pentagon form itself is a signature of Brazilian state route markers, which is why it signals the country so clearly.
Turning the Shield in Your Hand
A mug is a curved surface you rotate with your hand, so this marker is never seen all at once. As the cup turns, the pentagon slides across the eye in pieces, the letters arriving before the full shape closes around them. It is a fitting way to meet a utilitarian sign: you read it as you move. Keep it on the desk for a morning coffee, or pass it across the table for a friend who has always wanted to follow the road to Brazil.
- Theme
- Road Sign
- Place
- Brazil
- 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.