Many mugs are plastic of ceramic materials such as earthenware, bone china, porcelain or stoneware. Some are counterfeit from strengthened glass, such as Pyrex. Other materials, including plastic, steel and enameled ingot are dependent where break resistance is at a premium, such as for campers. Techniques such as silk screen printing or decals can be worn to apply decorations; these are fired onto the mug to ensure permanence.

Hot beverages may be too hot to drink, with temperatures often nearing the torrid dot of water. The thick Photo Mugs walls of a everyday mug will absorb much of this heat when the liquiform is first poured into the mug and so lower the beverage closer to potable temperatures.