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18 Tumbler design ideas to try and sell in 2025

September 4, 2025 11 minutes

Create custom designs that sell

Looking to start a business or expand your product range? These tumbler design ideas will help you create custom cups that sell.

Tumblers are practical, easy to personalize, and popular across different markets. But first, you’ll need the right artwork to make your products stand out.

Let’s check out 18 creative tumbler design ideas that will inspire your next bestsellers.

Disclaimer

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no additional cost to you.

Key takeaways

  • Custom tumblers are practical, customizable, and used by just about everyone, making them a great product for personal use and gifting.
  • Popular tumbler designs include minimalist elegance, bold patterns, quote designs, nature themes, and personalized names or initials.
  • Fun designs based on astrology, memes, and fandoms are trending and can help attract specific customer groups.
  • Printify’s tools make it easy to design, personalize, and sell custom tumblers without upfront costs or inventory.

Whether you have an online store or an Etsy craft shop, these custom tumbler design ideas will help you create eye-catching cups that shoppers won’t be able to resist. 

1. Minimalist elegance

Minimalist designs use clean lines, soft colors, and simple graphics that stay stylish for years. They’re versatile for any occasion, and easy to make without design skills.

Here are some minimalist tumbler cup design ideas:

  • Single-line illustrations: Outlines of faces or florals drawn in black on a neutral background.
  • Color blocks: Feature two colors side by side and split them diagonally. 
  • Overlapping shapes: Layer triangles, circles, or squares to create depth.
  • Subtle patterns: Tiny black dots or fine stripes on a white background.

2. Bold, colorful patterns

A woman with dark hair in a black sweatshirt holds a cup, smiling softly at the camera.

Want your custom tumblers to turn heads? Create all-over-print patterns with striking graphics. Energetic designs appeal to customers who want drinkware that reflects their vibrant personality.

Try these cute tumbler cup ideas:

  • Tropical prints
  • Geometric mosaics
  • Retro 1980s patterns
  • Animal prints
  • Paint splashes

If designing isn’t your thing, Adobe Stock has tons of high-quality images that fit this style and more.  

3. Quote designs

Quotes and sayings are a great way to connect with niche communities, such as bookworms, movie buffs, and coffee enthusiasts. 

People love showcasing their passions with bold statements, making these designs feel personal and gift-worthy.

Tips for picking quotes:

  • Keep them short and readable.
  • Match font style to the mood.
  • Use high-contrast colors for better visibility.
  • Check usage rights to avoid copyright infringement.

Get inspiration from:

  • Books, movies, or TV shows.
  • Song lyrics.
  • Social media posts on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok.
  • Online quote libraries and fan communities.

4. Nature designs

A person holds a cup featuring a mountain and trees design, showcasing a love for nature and outdoor adventures.

Appeal to outdoor lovers with graphics inspired by nature. 

Tumbler design ideas to try:

  • Florals to create products for the springtime.
  • Forest or mountain landscapes for adventure seekers.
  • Cartoon-style animals for wildlife fans.
  • Tropical leaves and blooms for summer vibes.

Use the Shutterstock integration in our Product Creator for ready-made nature graphics.  This is a great way to create beautiful tumblers without starting from scratch.

Use lifestyle photos in your marketing materials and product listings that show the tumblers in action. This helps shoppers picture them in their adventures.

5. Personalized names or initials

Personalized tumblers featuring the names of bridesmaids, perfect for wedding celebrations and gifts.

Adding names or initials makes each tumbler feel personal and easy to identify.

Printify’s personalization feature lets your customers add their name or initials to the tumbler at checkout. You can then review the details before sending the order to production.

Consider providing multiple design styles so shoppers can choose one that fits their personality.

6. Photos

This is a perfect tumbler idea for photographers to offer personalized photo gifts along with digital files and prints. It’s a lovely way for customers to remember special events, like anniversaries, birthdays, or vacations. 

Use high-resolution photos to ensure a clean wrap around the curved surface.

Some tumblers support full-wrap designs, while others only allow certain sections, so check each tumbler’s specific design guidelines before getting started.

7. Astrology signs

Astrology symbols are super trendy product designs right now and really appeal to customers who love showcasing their zodiac.

Let customers celebrate their sign in style with tumblers featuring:

  • Celestial motifs, like moons, stars, and planets.
  • Fun zodiac symbols.
  • Constellation maps. 
  • Birth chart.
  • The sign’s positive personality traits.

8. Memes

A cup labeled "dad bod fuel" rests on a rock, showcasing its bold design against a natural backdrop.

Meme tumblers are great for customers who love showing off their humor. They often spark conversations and make excellent gifts.

Tips for creating customized meme tumblers:

  • Choose trending content that resonates with your target audience.
  • Keep text readable to make the meme instantly recognizable.
  • Stay up-to-date on social media to find inspiration. 
  • Don’t forget to check usage rights to avoid legal issues.

9. Seasonal and holiday-related designs

Big brands often release themed tumblers for Christmas, Halloween, New Year, back-to-school, and other special occasions, and you can do the same! 

To snag those holiday sales:

  • Research your audience’s preferred style. 
  • Offer limited-time designs to encourage impulse purchases.
  • Promote your festive tumbler designs on social media and storefront to reach seasonal buyers.
Quick tip

Printify’s Product Creator includes tons of free seasonal graphics, making it easy to launch festive products fast.

10. Pet designs

Pet lovers can’t resist products that celebrate their furry companions. Focus on popular pets in your target market to create designs that your potential customers will quickly add to their carts.

Let customers add their pet’s name with our personalization feature for even more appeal. If you’re an artist, let them submit a photo for a custom illustration, making a unique pet product they’ll treasure.

11. Drink tracker

The recommended daily water intake for adults is 92-124 oz, and a lot of us need an extra push to meet that goal. 

Design drink tracker tumblers that have time intervals on the outside to remind customers how much water they should consume by each line. 

Include a refill reminder, since most tumblers can’t hold the full daily amount at once. Add a little encouragement like “Keep going!” or “You’re almost there!” to keep them extra motivated. 

12. DIY tumblers

A woman wearing a beanie is focused on her laptop, engaged in work at a cozy indoor setting.

DIY tumblers are perfect for Etsy sellers who prefer to make their products by hand.  You’ll need to grab a few supplies and watch some YouTube tutorials, but the results can be worth the effort.

Popular non-print tumbler styles:

  • Glitter tumblers: Add sparkle by layering glitter with adhesive or epoxy.
  • Epoxy tumblers: Coat your design with resin for a glossy finish that protects your cup. Ensure you follow resin safety guidelines for a food-safe tumbler. 
  • Rhinestones: Cover the surface in gems or crystals to make flashy designs.
  • Vinyl wraps: Print names, shapes, or patterns on vinyl paper and apply by hand to personalize the tumbler.
  • Hand-painting: Use acrylic or enamel paints for one-of-a-kind artwork.

13. Fandom themes

Tap into pop culture by creating tumblers inspired by movies, books, games, music, or TV shows. Fans love showing off their favorite series, and custom tumblers make for fun merch.

Before using copyrighted content, get the proper licensing or permission.

Unique tumbler ideas to try:

  • Quotes from iconic characters.
  • Recognizable symbols or logos.
  • Patterns and colors tied to specific fandoms.
  • Collages featuring multiple fan favorites.

14. Travel-inspired designs

Hand holding a blue travel mug mockup against a neutral background, showcasing its design and color.

Tumblers make great souvenirs and keepsakes for travelers. Think of those Starbucks city tumblers that people love to collect. You can take a similar approach with your own spin.

To make these designs reflect the vibe of your desired location, consider working with a local artist through platforms like Fiverr. They can create authentic designs that capture the place’s spirit.

Get inspired with these tumbler cup ideas:

  • Patterned designs featuring multiple local icons.
  • Illustration or photo of famous landmarks. 
  • Maps of the location.
  • Local plants or wildlife.

15. Profession themes

Tumblers make perfect gifts for work promotions, anniversaries, and employee appreciation. Incorporate images associated with specific careers to create designs that your audience will really connect with.

Here are some sublimation tumbler design ideas for professionals:

  • Office workers: Workspace items, keyboard shortcuts, or sticky notes.
  • Doctors: Stethoscopes, scrubs, or anatomy illustrations.
  • Construction workers: Tools, caution tape patterns, or blueprint designs.
  • Chefs: Cupcakes, kitchen utensils, or flour sacks.
  • Baristas: Coffee beans, espresso machines, or latte art.

16. Cause-inspired tumblers

Create tumblers that support a movement people care about. These cups let customers show their values while sipping on a hot coffee or cool lemonade. 

Customize these tumblers with:

  • Awareness ribbons or symbols.
  • Short slogans that highlight a mission.
  • Illustrated elements that represent the cause, like animals for wildlife conservation and plants for environmental awareness.

17. QR code designs

Turn tumblers into interactive tools with QR codes that anyone can scan. Your customers can use them to link to an online shop, a donation page, a playlist, a YouTube video, or an inside joke.

Tips for customized QR code tumblers:

  • Ask customers to send you a high-resolution file of their QR code. 
  • Make the code large enough to scan easily.
  • Test it on multiple devices before finalizing.
  • Ensure linked content is mobile-friendly.
  • Place the code where it won’t get scratched or hidden.
  • Let customers add their branded elements and colors to the tumblers. 

18. Matching tumbler sets

A person holds a water bottle beside another person's hand, emphasizing hydration and companionship.

Craft tumbler sets for couples or groups to commemorate connections and shared moments. These items are playful, collectible, and encourage multiple purchases – much like matching family shirts designed to coordinate for special occasions.

Plus, people love sharing paired designs on social media because they are relatable and photograph well. Encourage them to tag your shop’s account when they share to attract even more customers. 

Matching tumbler design ideas for your inspiration: 

  • Couples cups.
  • Mom and Dad.
  • Best friends.
  • Bridal party.
  • Family sets.

Printify’s Product Creator lets you turn your designs into reusable templates. This means you can save your designs and apply them to multiple products without starting from zero. 

Why tumblers are the perfect canvas for creativity

Just like custom t-shirts, tumblers are practical, used almost daily, and always in demand. 

Here’s why they’re an ideal canvas for your designs:

  • Versatile surface: Works with multiple printing and craft methods.
  • Personalizable: Names, colors, and styles are easy to personalize, turning a simple cup into a meaningful gift or form of personal expression. 
  • High visibility: Tumblers go everywhere, offering daily exposure for your drinkware brand.

Design tips for eye-catching tumblers

Want your custom tumblers to shine bright on your Etsy store or website? 

Here’s how to create tumbler designs that sell big: 

  • Think about your buyer: Gym enthusiasts might want larger tumblers with fun fitness graphics, commuters appreciate smaller sizes that fit in bags or cup holders, and students like a trendy tumbler with a handle
  • Hire a designer: Use platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to get professional, unique designs.
  • Use high-quality files: Sites like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock offer graphics that print cleanly on curved surfaces.
  • Explore free tools: For those on a budget, Printify’s Product Creator and Canva make it easy to experiment with layouts, colors, and fonts without breaking the bank. 
  • Stay current: Browse Etsy, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram to keep up with design trends.
  • Test before listing: Preview your design on a mockup or print a sample to ensure your tumblers look exactly the way you want before listing them online. 

Create custom tumblers with Printify

Printify makes it super easy and fun to design, personalize, and sell custom tumblers without upfront costs or inventory. The tools to get started are completely free, and you only pay when you make a sale.

Here’s how to start a print-on-demand business with Printify. 

1. Select a tumbler

Join Printify and choose from dozens of custom tumblers, cups, and mugs. 

2. Design your product

Customize your tumblers using Printify’s free Product Creator – no design experience needed.

3. Connect your store

Integrate your Etsy, Shopify, Amazon store, or other website with Printify and list your products in minutes.

4. Start selling

When someone orders a customized tumbler, Printify handles the printing and shipping so you can focus on creating new designs and growing your business.

FAQ

Sublimation printing is the main way to put designs on tumblers. This method uses heat to transfer your artwork onto the tumbler’s surface. It’s commonly used on platforms like Printify, where you can design and sell without handling production.

If you prefer the DIY route, try vinyl, glitter, epoxy, or hand-painting your tumbler designs.

Absolutely! The global tumbler market was worth $1 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $1.6 billion by the end of 2032. More people are getting outdoors and opting to make their drinks at home instead of buying one on the go. This means they need a snazzy cup to keep their beverages hot or cold while out and about, increasing the demand for custom tumblers.

You can put water, coffee, tea, smoothies, or other drinks in your tumbler cup. 

Check the tumbler’s care instructions to see which temperatures the cup is suitable for and how long it keeps drinks cold or hot.

Yes! Google Trends shows that demand for tumblers has surged in the past few years and remains steady. The big Stanley Cup boom of 2022-2024 drove up interest in tumblers and had many customers seeking customized and different-sized alternatives. 

Because of their function and personalization options, tumblers will continue to trend for many years to come.

Conclusion

Custom tumblers are more than just drinkware – they’re a blank canvas for creativity.

There are endless fun ways to make tumbler designs stand out and sell. And with Printify, you can start creating products people love to use and gift in just a few minutes. 

So don’t wait – choose your style, start designing, and watch your ideas become real!

Make it your way!

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