Do you product test?

[Drix Productions]

I posted yesterday but probably under the wrong heading as people talked more about ICC profiles than answering my question (that was my fault for wording everything wrong though!)

I had a load of mugs come with my printer which I assume are poor quality because there is no brand name on the box. Obviously, I don't want to sell these mugs and have people come back and say the ink has ran/faded after a few washes. I have put them in the dishwasher on 4 cycles now and they look exactly the same. Do you product test when you get a new mug supplier? How many washes would you consider a mug tested?
Thanks and sorry to post again so soon!

[UK Printed Mugs]

We stay well clear as well of those type of mugs and stick with the RN coated European mugs from BMS who are the only supplier to back up the quality of their mugs with 12 months warranty. Yes you pay more for the best but you know that if anything comes out wrong then it is probably ink/paper related. Olly

[Drix Productions]

I planned to buy from BMS this weekend after I've hopefully made some more money. The mugs have come out so nice (I planned on just using them for testing the press) it seems such a massive waste to just throw them all away.

[pisquee]

If you're going to do this seriously, then you need consistency in your supply chain - for this you need to know what products/materials you are using, so that you can keep getting the same stuff. If the mugs you currently have are unbranded, then you can never be sure of being able to get more. The same goes for your inks and paper.

One problem with cheap mugs, is that the factory doing the coating will just buy in whatever white mugs are cheapest that week from the mug factory, this leads to huge changes in consistency and quality batch to batch. Ideally, you're wanting to source a mug from a company who take things a little seriously, where their supply chain is consistent, or even a company who product the ceramic and do the coating themselves.

[Drix Productions]

Ok, I just wanted to try and avoid throwing away 40 odd unused mugs if possible. However, even when you buy from a reputable place, would you still test the product? And for how long?

[UK Printed Mugs]

Each mug run is different so the first one you do is a product test so to speak. Keep to using one mug type, one paper type and same ink for everything. As for those cheap mugs then leave these for printing on if you perhaps do eBay orders. Best mugs for gift shops and business and cheaper mugs for people who only want to pay peanuts. Olly

[pisquee]

We have mugs custom made for us, and have used them for over 3 years now. We had a few samples first to check they were what/how we wanted, and from then on haven't changed.

[Drix Productions]

Thanks =) I guess I could print some of the "rubbish" ones and give them to friends, it would make me feel better about not wasting stuff! I'm going to go with the mugs from BMS, I've got inktec ink so now I just need to decide on my paper, thanks again!

[logobear]

I think your friends are the worst people to give rubbish mugs to........as they know your other friends.
maybe sell them but not as yourself?

[galerion]

Use them for testing out designs/colours and for mugs you want to photograph but will be unsaleable afterwards i.e. when they have "name here" etc, that's what I do with mugs that have minor defects that can be photoshopped out unnoticeably.