About this design
TW THWpt131
TW THWpt131 (Taiwan) (Road Sign) Black Coffee Mug
This design borrows the plain language of a road sign: a white field, a black rectangular border, and a single black character with a number beneath it.
Visual Elements & Composition
White fills most of the artwork, with black taking up the rest. A rectangular frame runs around the edge, and inside it sits the Chinese character 屏 (píng) in bold black, with the numerals 131 set beside it. The layout is flat and symmetrical, with no illustration, shading or ornament. The eye lands on the character first, then the numbers, the way a driver reads a sign at a glance.
Meaning & Symbolism
Route-style signage is designed to be read quickly and understood without explanation, and this artwork keeps that discipline. The character 屏 and the number 131 are set in the modern sign format used across Taiwan, which anchors the piece to its origin. The title's THWpt131 code places the design within a catalogued series, so the sign reads as an identifier first and a picture second. Its modern, minimal style makes that point without any decoration.
Why It Works on a Black Mug
A mug is turned in the hand, so the sign's border wraps around the curve and the character rotates into view as you lift the cup. The black frame and black lettering carry the design against the mug's dark body, so the sign stays legible as the mug moves. Hold it up and the sign faces you; set it down and the number is the first thing on the table. The sign was made to be read in passing, and a mug is something you pick up and glance at again and again.
- Theme
- Road Sign
- Place
- Taiwan
- 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.