Many mugs are made of ceramic materials such as earthenware, bone china, porcelain or stoneware. Some are made from strengthened glass, such as Pyrex. Other materials, including plastic, animate and enameled metal are pre-owned where break resistance is at a premium, such as for campers. Techniques such as luxurious screen printing or decals can be used to apply decorations; these are fired onto the mug to ensure permanence.

A travel mug is a variation on the traditional mug that is preferred for transporting hot liquids. It may Photo Mugs or may not be a vacuum flask, but is above all well insulated and completely enclosed, with an easily closed opening on the top.