A branded tumbler is supposed to advertise you for years. A printed logo starts losing that fight the first time the tumbler rides in a bag next to someone's keys. If the mark doesn't survive, the tumbler was never really branded. It was just borrowed.
The short answer. For a Canadian business, an engraved logo beats a printed one, because there's nothing on the surface to wear off. Promo distributors often start at 50 units and 10 to 15 business days. We engrave from one piece, logo included, at 45% off from 10 pieces, about $19 to $22 each.
By Chen Deng, founder, LAMOSE, Calgary, Alberta
Printed vs engraved: what happens on a desk
A printed logo sits on top of the steel. Every wash and every keychain in the same bag wears at it.
Engraving cuts through the powder coat into the bare steel underneath. The mark isn't on the surface. It's in it.
That matters more for a business gift than for a novelty mug. You're paying for your name to still be legible the next time that person reaches for their coffee. A faded logo six months in isn't marketing anymore. It's just a tumbler.
Printing does one thing engraving can't: full colour. If your logo only works in three colours, a print shop is the right call, and we'll say so. If it reads in one colour, engrave it.
Compare your real options
We checked what Canadian suppliers publish about minimums and timing. Here's how the three common routes compare.
| Route | Minimum | Timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promo-products distributor (e.g. Promotional Products Canada, Toronto) | "Typically starting at 50 units" | "10-15 business days, plus shipping" | Big giveaways, full-colour logos, a catalogue of items to choose from |
| Local engraving shop (e.g. Engravables, Mississauga) | "No minimum order" | "Most items can be engraved while you wait" | Same-day pieces if you're near Mississauga. They also take bulk orders and deliver across Canada. |
| LAMOSE (online, engraved in Calgary) | One piece | Proof within 24 hours, then 1 to 3 business days. Bulk runs of 25+ with custom artwork: 5 to 10 business days. | 10 to 100 engraved pieces for a team or client list, shipped anywhere in Canada |
Quotes are from each company's own website, checked in October 2026.
What a logo order costs
Logo engraving is free on our product pages, the same as a name or a date. Prices drop as the order grows, and you can mix models: 2 pieces are 20% off, 3 are 30% off, 5 are 40% off, and 10 or more are 45% off.
| Model | One piece | Each at 10+ | 25 pieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse 16 oz, flip lid, hot 6h / cold 12h. The desk tumbler; our default for client gifts. | $35 | $19.25 | $481.25 |
| Robson 21 oz, sport cap, hot 12h / cold 24h, fits a standard cupholder. For field teams and sales reps. | $40 | $22.00 | $550.00 |
| Hudson Pro Max 24 oz mug, slide lid, solid handle. For the office that runs on second coffees. | $40 | $22.00 | $550.00 |
Prices are before tax. Shipping is free over $65. All three are 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulated.
A logo turns a tumbler into company swag. A logo plus the person's name turns it into something they keep. Send both with your quote request and you'll see a proof before anything is engraved.
Ordering for people rather than a logo? Our custom tumblers guide has the full price ladder from 1 to 50 pieces.
Order dates for the holidays
For client or staff gifts this December, corporate and bulk runs of 25 or more need to be ordered by Friday, November 20. Smaller personalized orders can go until Friday, December 11. If the gifts are for a party or a client lunch, count back from that date instead.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum order for branded tumblers in Canada?
Promo distributors commonly start around 50 units; Promotional Products Canada says "typically starting at 50 units." We have no minimum: one engraved piece is fine, and bulk pricing starts at 10 (45% off).
Is laser engraving better than a printed logo on a tumbler?
For durability, yes. A printed logo sits on the surface and wears with washing and daily use. Engraving cuts through the coating into the steel, so there's nothing on top to fade or peel. Printing wins only if you need full colour.
How long does a branded tumbler order take?
With us, a proof within 24 hours, then 1 to 3 business days of engraving, plus shipping. Bulk runs of 25 or more with custom artwork take 5 to 10 business days on the laser.
How much do branded tumblers cost in Canada?
Our engraved tumblers and bottles run $19.25 to $22 each at 10 or more, with the logo engraved free. A 25-piece order of Grouse 16 oz tumblers is $481.25 before tax.
Are branded stainless steel tumblers dishwasher safe?
We recommend hand-washing, as our product pages say. The engraving itself is cut into the steel, so washing doesn't wear it the way it wears a printed logo.
Chen Deng founded LAMOSE in 2017. We laser-engrave tumblers and bottles for Canadian businesses in Calgary, Alberta.