Does anyone know where it's possible to get a photo printed onto a bone china mug as a gift?  All the sites I've found so far only have the earthenware type.  I did find a few large commercial sites, printing business logos, but I'd need to order over 100 mugs!!

Thanks x

I don't think there are unfortunately, at least I've not come across any; the blank can's for bone china are quite expensive when prepared in small numbers, I had to order over 800 to make it viable for me when I ordered some earlier this year. 

The transfers aren't dishwasher proof for the main part either, there are a few places that do a more permanent type of process, can't remember the name of it now, but for the main part they do wear off quite quickly, particularly if put through a dishwasher, or cleaned with a scouring pad. 

Here you go :)
http://www.photomemento.co.uk/photo-mugs/19-photo-bone-china-mug.html

I've not used them, only just found them on google, so I can't comment as to thier service. I googled "photo printed on bone china mug", it came up with lots of places that does this. The link I gave was the first on the list and saeems quite a good price - my OH spent more than that on a non-pocelain mug for me, but it did have Mastiffs on it ;)

Happy shopping :)

ETA, Oh! many on the list that came up with google are for promotional mugs, so you'd need to bulk buy (give everyone you know a mug for chrimbo?). But the link I first put up is for one mug/cup at a time :)

Just a note of caution, had a peek at their bone china can, and it looks quite heavy.  Some of the bone china cans available, are really closer to earthernware weight and quality, so do shop around and ask questions.  You should be able to see light through the bottom of bonen china, it almost has a transparent quality.  Hope you find what you're looking for :)

> Just a note of caution, had a peek at their bone china can, and it looks quite heavy.

LOL, I doubt I could tell quality bone china from a clay pot made by a school child! The web link has the weight of the mug, is that of any help in determining the quality?

Yes it is, but only if you know the size, for example, mine weigh approx 200g, are 10.5cm tall, and approx 7.5cm in diameter.  When I hold them up to the light, you can see quite clearly the backstamp that has been fired onto the base of the mug, which is basically my name and website details with the copyright.  Hope that will help you gauge the sort of weight and size you're aiming at :)

> Yes it is, but only if you know the size, for example, mine weigh approx 200g, are 10.5cm tall, and approx 7.5cm in diameter.

Ahh, the mug in the link has the size given at 9cm tall, diameter of 8cm, weight 275gm - so it is heavier than your mug, but is wider (capacity of 12 fl oz). Does that sound any good, or does one need to be able to see it to tell the quality?

Was just looking again at the same time, chuckle.  It's also slightly shorter than mine, so really is about the same capacity, but 73g heavier - mind you, how they get a weight of exactly 273g I don't know, because can size varies, they are all slip cast so can vary about 20g lighter or heavier I've found. 

It's probably about the best sort of quality you will get for a one off print on a mug, my concern would be more that the transfer is as permanent as possible, some of them really do pretty much come off or fade drastically after very little use. 

I can't for the life of me remember what the process is called that is a bit more permanent, other than firing the image on, but if you ask the company, I'll see if I can rack my brains and remember what it is.  They are saying it's dishwasher and microwave proof, but I'd want to know to what sort of extent.  Right, must get on with some work!! 

Thanks for the link mastifflover.  I'm not too concerned about it being the finest bone china but I do want a mug with a thin lip.  The person I'm buying it for doesn't like thick mugs.

SleepingLion I did wonder about the processes used, and durability of the print, as the earthenware mugs are so much more common.

If anyone finds any more sites please let me know.  I'm hoping to get a straight sided mug if that makes sense, no curve at the lip.  Not fussy at all am I??! :)

Found another link :)

http://www.personalisedmugs.co.uk/personalised-photo-mugs-porcelain-photo-mugs-c-22_25

There's no lip on the top of these mugs :)

I'm chuckling away, I got my cans by accident, the company sent me a couple to look at, the most suitable one had a very slight fluted lip and was a bit smaller than I wanted, uhmmed and ahhhed, and then they sent me a blank can that had been delivered to them by mistake, that was exactly what I wanted, straight sides, nice quality china, with a plain unfussy handle that holds enough of a pint of tea for me even on a morning.  For some reason they are not easy to find, even though most people I speak to don't like a fluted lip, or fussy handle that you can't even get your fingers through properly!  I can point you to their site, not sure how much a one off would cost you? 

http://www.chownchina.co.uk/

The can I've got isn't on their website, as it's not one they normally stock, but if you look at my profile and let them have my business name off my website, they'll be able to let you know if they have any of them left over they could let you use??

Porcelain is made from china clay that doesn't contain bone ash, which is what makes bone china a little bit more durable, porcelain also doesn't have the same ivory quality that bone china has.  There's a slight difference between the two, and because bone china is that bit more durable, it can be cast quite thin. 

be nice prizes at club shows in Lieu of trophies

> Porcelain is made from china clay that doesn't contain bone ash, which is what makes bone china a little bit more durable, porcelain also doesn't have the same ivory quality that bone china has.  There's a slight difference between the two, and because bone china is that bit more durable, it can be cast quite thin. 

In the second link I found, it says "Fine Porcelain or Bone China" (under 'benefits'), so I assumed that this meant  either 'fine porcelain' - ie bone china, or that there is the option to either have bone china or not (as I thought bone china was a type of porcelain). If that makes any sense!

Gosh, it's all a bit confusing, LOL

Chuckle, it is just that!  Bone china is made from the same clay as porcelain, but with the addition of bone ash, which makes if more durable, hope that makes sense?  So if it's just the china clay without bone ash, it's porcelain or china, if it's got bone ash added into the china clay, it's bone china, think that's right, it's how I've always understood it in any case. 

Have a look at Centurian Manor Giftware, they do lovely fine bone china mugs and the price I have is £3.95 based on a qty of 1 - 11. They produce our club merchandise and it is super quality. I put my mugs in the dishwasher and have no problems whatsoever.

http://www.centurionmanor.co.uk/merchandise1.html

The mug we purchase is IR3.

Looks a good supplier, may have to bookmark that one for future reference, they have some nice blanks. 

IR3 has a fluted lip though, and I'm not sure that the OP wanted that, although the quality looks better than anything else I've seen links for. 

A straight up, straight down beaker is available.
The first time we ordered we got a fine bone china beaker, but with no lip. To be honest I was a bit disappointed as I preferred the lip style. Apparently the beakers stules can vary depending on what they have in stock, but you can specifically request a particular style when you order. Once you have purchased a particular style, all future orders will be based on that style.
Hope this makes sense.

Just wanted to say a big thanks for the links.  I'm now trying to decide!  Thanks again xx

They def are not dishwasher safe- atleast the one I bought hubby for x-mas a couple yrs back wasn't- has to be hand washed...

Bought mine through Walmart- if you have one there...  http://www.walmartphotocentre.ca/album/gifts_selection.aspx?q=1_yyaH8JaOFiTZxfSupVY7Yw,u8bc37e8Lo9XF8ITMmE-#