Can you engrave a Stanley cup or tumbler? The short answer is yes. But you have some options. Let's talk about 'em!
People LOVE their Stanleys. And it's even more cool to have a personalized one.
If you're looking for crafts that make money, creating and selling custom tumblers is a great option. So, can you engrave a Stanley cup or tumbler? And if so, how? Let's dive in.
Psst… ready to offer custom tumbler engraving as a business? You've come to the right place. MakerFlo is your go-to source for high-quality, engraving-ready powder-coated tumblers built with pros in mind.
What's inside:
- Can You Engrave a Stanley Cup or Tumbler?
- How to Engrave a Stanley Tumbler at Home
- How to Engrave a Stanley Tumbler with Stanley Create
- Should You Engrave a Stanley Tumbler?
- What Other Options Are Available?
- More Resources for Laser Engraving
- Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Engrave a Stanley Cup or Tumbler?
Yes! If you want to engrave a Stanley cup, you have two options: DIY engraving at home or using the Stanley Create service.
We 'll cover both options below to help you decide if either suits your needs.
While Stanley cups make thoughtful gifts or one-off purchases, they have a hefty price tag between $25 and $70 per cup. Buying them in bulk quickly becomes expensive.
For businesses selling personalized tumblers, we recommend working with a trusted supplier that offers consistent products, good service, fast shipping, and high quality.
That's where MakerFlo can help! Check out our wide selection of engraving-ready powder-coated tumblers in 10 different colors and an array of sizes and styles. (Save 10% with our Powder-Coated Tumbler Build-A- Bundle offer.)
How to Engrave a Stanley Tumbler at Home
Next up, let's deal with the burning question: Can you engrave a Stanley cup at home?
Since most Stanley cups are powder coated, engraving them is straightforward. You 'll need a laser engraver (like the beginner-friendly xTool F1 or high-powered xTool F1 Ultra).
You can use a jog to engrave one side at a time, or a rotary attachment fitted with a rotary attachment (for xTools, that 's the RA2 Pro) to engrave larger or full-wrap designs.
Let 's take a look at the steps you'll need to take.
Step #1 - Load Your Design Into the Software
First up, load your design into your laser engraving software of choice.
Step #2 - Attach the Tumbler to the Rotary
Take the lid off the tumbler and make sure it 's clean and dry. Use gloves or clean hands and attach the product to the rotary (or jig), ensuring that it's secure. Use the preview light or camera to position the design.
Step #3 - Engrave!
Choose the right settings for your material. If your laser has auto-focus, press that button. If it 's manual, align the preview light, close the cover, and get to work. Make sure you wear safety goggles!
Step #4 - Finish and Polish
When the engraving is complete, shut off the laser engraver and carefully remove your tumbler. Wash it with soap or degreaser, before drying and popping the lid back on.
That 's just a taster of what you need to do. For a more in-depth tutorial, read our full guide on how to engrave a tumbler or watch the video tutorial below!
How to Engrave a Stanley Tumbler with Stanley Create
Looking for a gift or a special treat for yourself?
The easiest option for one-off purchases is using the Stanley Create service. Yes, when buying an original Stanley bottle, tumbler, or barware, you have the chance to customize your product.
There are plenty of options to choose from. You can upload your own image, add text, or choose a graphic or monogram from Stanley 's built-in design library.
Once you've created your custom design, you can interact with it, turning the 3D image around, to see how it will look on the finished product. Then, simply check out and pay. Your personalized tumbler will be delivered to you or the recipient directly.
Should You Engrave a Stanley Tumbler?
Personalized tumblers make great gift ideas. Whether you're getting a bride-to-be something unique or want to give your partner something they'll treasure, gifting a personalized Stanley tumbler with a handle is a nice gesture.
But it's not the only option.
Since individual Stanley tumblers are costly, it 's not an ideal solution for businesses. So if you want to grow your own custom tumbler and cup business, you 'll want to look for a supplier that can provide you with a more competitive price and consistent product offerings.
Plus, Stanley's have a prominent logo, so if you want to create truly custom engravings, a blank powder-coated tumbler is a better option.
Check out our guide to the best 40oz tumbler for laser engraving, where we compare the Stanley and 7 other brands to see which is best!
What Other Options Are Available?
At MakerFlo, we have everything you need to get started. Check out our line of powder-coated tumblers and get 10% off your bulk order with our Powder-Coated Tumbler Build-a-Bundle offer.
All of our tumblers are logo-free and ready to customize with any design. And they all come in gift- and product-ready packaging for a professional look from start to finish. We ship everything with extreme care so it gets to you quickly and with zero damage.
Our 40oz powder-coated tumbler with optional handle is a favorite option for engraving businesses.
Unlike Stanley cups, which have handles you have to remove with a screwdriver, our cups have removable twist-on handles. That means you can twist them off and engrave the cup on any side, no extra tool required.
[product=40-oz-tumbler-with-handle-powder-coated]Our best-selling 40oz tumbler is easy to craft with an optional handle and comes in 10 colors![/product]
We have 10 colors to choose from, and our friend Ashley of Chipped Builds has even successfully dyed a white powder-coated tumbler into custom colors! It's worth a try if there's a shade you want and can't find anywhere else.
Plus, the handles come in a range of colors for more customization options.
Looking for even more color options? We also offer 40oz rainbow-plated tumblers which reveal a rainbow surface when you engrave them. Or try our 40oz gold-plated tumblers that reveal a shimmer of gold when engraved.
[product=40oz-tumbler-rainbow-plated]This 40oz tumbler has a rainbow-tinted stainless steel interior to add more color to your engravings![/product]
More Resources for Laser Engraving
Looking for more information on laser engraving? We 've got you covered. Check out more articles and resources below:
- Laser Engraving for Beginners: The Stress-Free Guide to Getting Started
- How to Start a Profitable Laser Engraving Business This Year
- 4 Best Laser Engravers for Tumblers (Budget-Friendly)
And before you go, join us in the MakerFlo Makers Community on Facebook to meet and share notes with thousands of other crafters just like you! We'll see you inside!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will engraving damage the insulation of a Stanley Cup?
No. When you engrave a powder-coated tumbler or cup, you only remove the outer coating. That doesn't impact the vacuum insulation inside, so you won't impact the insulation.
Is the powder coating safe to engrave?
Yes—powder coating can be easily engraved using a laser engraver. The engraver will remove the powder coating to create the design, revealing whatever material is below.
What kinds of designs can I engrave?
Check out these free laser engraving designs and laser-engraved tumbler ideas to get you started.
Can I engrave both sides of a tumbler?
Yes. You can engrave one side, both sides, or engrave a full-wrap design on your chosen tumbler. For full-wrap engravings, we recommend our 40oz powder-coated tumbler with an optional handle—allowing you to screw-on and off the handle when you engrave it.