So glad you asked! It’s where my concept originated for a mug you can color in yourself. Originally, I wanted to add a fun new twist to one of my family’s most cherished traditions. Each year on Christmas Eve, we’d drink a hot cocoa mix that included Santa’s Magical Sleeping Potion. My grandfather began this tradition with his grandchildren after Santa bestowed upon him his secret sleeping potion recipe. There were very specific instructions in its preparation and drinking in order to activate the magic. It was such a special tradition for us, and so much fun for us kids, that I wanted to come up with a way to share it with others. As a result, I crafted the Christmas Eve Kit. While selling my kits I had so many kids and adults alike that loved the idea of getting to color their own mug that I realized there was an opportunity for a whole new business. I began Santa’s Magical Sleeping Potion in the Fall of 2022. Now in 2025, I am excited to be expanding Cheeky Mugger with a new retro style travel mug designs. Sign up for my newsletter if you want updates (and don’t worry, your inbox will certainly not be overwhelmed by me =).

1. Clean your mug exterior with an alcohol wipe and be sure to also wash your hands. It is important that you try to avoid touching the outer part of the mug’s surface while coloring as the oil from your hands may cause the paint not to stick to the surface as well. Better to touch the handle, the very top and bottom of the mug, or the inside while coloring.
2. After you are done coloring, let the ink dry for 24 hours.
3. Place your mug in the oven and then turn on to 300°F. Bake for 2 hours then turn the oven off and open door to let the mug cool completely.
4. Now ENJOY!

1. Clean your mug exterior with an alcohol wipe and be sure to also wash your hands. It is important that you try to avoid touching the outer part of the mug’s surface while coloring as the oil from your hands may cause the paint not to stick to the surface as well. Better to touch the handle, the very top and bottom of the mug, or the inside while coloring.
2. After you are done coloring, let the ink dry for 24 hours.
3. Place your mug in the oven and then turn on to 320°F. Bake for 1 hour then turn the oven off and open door to let the mug cool completely.
4. Now ENJOY!

1. Shake the marker well, with the cap on. Make sure you hear the ball inside dissolve the pigment.
2. Remove the cap and use it to press slightly on the tip to let any air inside the marker out.
3. Prime the pen by pumping the nib on scrap paper until the ink starts flowing. Some pens may activate more quickly than others. If the paint is not coming out after a couple pumps, press and hold the tip for 20-30 seconds.
4. Always test your ink on scrap paper, don’t press the tip down directly onto the mug to get the paint flowing.

You’ll want to hand wash in warm water using a sponge or dish rag. Don’t use any kind of abrasive item as this can scrape off some of the paint. 

If some color does come off the good news is you can recolor it, then bake it and your mug will be good as new!

Of course! The colors will stick on the mug relatively well once dry and won’t immediately wash off even with soap, but it is going to fade with each wash and eventually disappear. This can be fun though if you want to be able to keep recreating your mug masterpiece. If the colors sit long enough on the mug and then you remove with some alcohol wipes there will be a slight discoloration to your mug however.

No, you can’t just use any marker to color in your mug. You need acrylic paint. You’ll also need one that says it can be used on ceramics and baked. For this reason, I use and recommend paint pens as items are much easier to color in as opposed to using paint brushes.

After a lot of washes the color will eventually fade, it’s just inevitable although it will take a long time to do so. While I have not tried this technique, you could try applying Modge Podge Dishwasher Safe Gloss. This may very well prolong the life of the colors on the mug as it adds a protective coating after coloring. But again this product has not been tested by me personally.

No worries! Simply pull out the tip and run it under warm water for 20-30 seconds then reinsert.

Please share it! My goal is to create a variety of different mug themes and styles to cater to a variety of people so I welcome your suggestions. Go to the Contact Us section to submit your requests. If I come up with a mug design based on your suggestion I’ll be sure to notify you!