About this design
SP-185
SP-185 (Brazil) (Road Sign) Black Coffee Mug
This design reproduces a pentagonal highway route marker bearing the code SP-185, the road identifier used for a route in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Visual Elements & Composition
The artwork is a flat vector graphic built from two colours, white and black, with white covering roughly three-quarters of the field. A pentagon sits at the centre, its outer edge framed by a black border with a fine inner outline that echoes the shape. The letters SP sit across the top of the sign, and the bold black numerals 185 fill the lower body. Nothing else competes for attention. The layout is symmetrical and direct, so the eye goes straight to the code.
Meaning & Symbolism
A route marker is a piece of wayfinding. The shield shape, the state abbreviation and the route number work together to tell a driver exactly which road they are on, and this design keeps all three. The SP prefix identifies São Paulo state, and 185 is the number of the highway within its network. The design belongs to the modern, utilitarian visual language of road signage, where clarity matters more than decoration. Its minimal palette and bold numerals are the reason it reads so quickly at a glance.
Turning the Road Sign Into a Morning Ritual
A mug is turned in the hand and read from the side, so the pentagon is seen in pieces as the cup rotates, with the SP and the 185 arriving one after the other. The high contrast of black and white suits a mug held close at the start of the day, when a quick glance at a familiar sign is exactly what you want. For the road-tripper, the commuter or anyone who has ever navigated by a route number, it is a small nod to the journey, and a cheeky one to pour your first coffee into.
- 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.