Name label for thermos and mug
A name label on the thermos should be self-adhesive and placed in the middle of the thermos's smooth, hard surface, with a separate label on the lid. Lappu's name labels adhere to metal and plastic and are dishwasher-safe up to 60 °C, so they work for both the stainless steel thermos for outings and the travel mug at work. Apply the label to a clean, dry thermos at room temperature and wait 24 hours before washing it.
Here you can see which label suits which thermos and mug, where it stays on, why the thermos often tolerates the dishwasher less well than the label, and when a mug with an engraved name is the better choice.
Name label on a thermos and mug: what works
Thermoses and mugs often look alike. The same model in the same colour sits in the preschool cloakroom, on the class outing, and in the break room. With a clear name, whoever picks up the thermos can immediately see who it belongs to.
Lappu has three sizes. Large name labels (30 labels, SEK 139) are visible from a distance and suit larger thermoses. Standard name labels (124 labels, from SEK 139) suit narrower cups and lids. Small name labels (SEK 129) are for really small surfaces, such as a loose spoon or a small lid.
| Item | Label | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Food thermos for outings and school | Large label on the side, standard label on the lid | The lid and inner stopper unscrew and can end up anywhere |
| Stainless steel drink thermos | Large or standard label | Avoid the bottom and the edge against the lid |
| Stainless steel travel mug | Standard label | Put it on the opposite side from where you drink and hold it |
| Hard-plastic children's cup | Standard label | Choose a design the child recognizes before they can read |
| Thermos with a silicone cover | Label on the hard section or on the lid | Silicone does not hold a self-adhesive label |
Where the label stays on the thermos
The label lasts longest where it can lie flat and not rub against anything.
- In the middle of the thermos's straight section. The surface is smooth there, and the name is visible when the thermos is on the table.
- Not on the bottom. The bottom scrapes against tables, backpacks, and countertops every time the thermos is set down.
- Not over seams, threads, or the edge against the lid. The label cannot conform to an uneven surface, and the edges start to lift.
- Not on rubber rings or silicone. Sealing rings, rubber grip surfaces and silicone covers will not hold the label.
- Use a separate label on the lid. Lids and stoppers are washed separately and get left behind. A thermos without its lid cannot be used, so the lid is what needs to find its way home.
How to attach the name label to the thermos
- Wash and dry the thermos. The surface must be clean and completely dry, without grease from fingers or residue from dish soap.
- Let the thermos reach room temperature and make sure it is empty. A thermos that has just been in the refrigerator or out in the cold develops a thin layer of condensation, preventing the adhesive from gripping.
- Press the label firmly for about 10 seconds. Start in the middle, then press extra firmly on the corners and edges, where labels most often start to come loose.
- Wait one day before washing. The adhesive needs approximately 24 hours to cure. Do not wash the thermos before then.
A vacuum-insulated thermos is designed so that the outside does not become hot or cold, so the label is attached to a surface that stays approximately at room temperature even when the thermos is full. More information about how the labels withstand washing and laundering is available on the page about name labels that withstand washing.
The thermos often cannot withstand the dishwasher. The label can.
Lappus name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60 °C. However, many thermoses should be washed by hand according to the manufacturer. For example, Thermos states for its Stainless Steel King 0.5 l thermos that hand-washing is recommended, that the product is not dishwasher-safe, and that it should not be fully immersed in water (the manufacturer's care instructions at ICA, read October 5, 2026).
For the label, hand-washing is no problem. Always follow whichever is stricter: the thermos's care instructions or the label's 60 °C limit. A thermos that must be washed by hand should be washed by hand, with or without a name label.
Excursions, preschool and school: hot food in a thermos
On excursion days, many families pack the same thing: hot food in a food thermos. The Swedish Food Agency states in its guidelines for meals in preschools that food for excursions can be brought along hot in thermoses and that cooked food should be kept hot at a minimum of +60 °C (Swedish Food Agency, Good Meals in Preschool).
When twenty thermoses are to be handed out in the woods and then packed up again, a name that can be read from a distance is helpful. Label both the thermos and the lid, and preferably the loose spoon if the thermos has one. The same set is enough for the backpack, water bottle, and clothes. Find out more about labeling everything for preschool on the page about name labels for preschool.
The travel mug at work
In a shared break room, travel mugs disappear in the same way as water bottles at school. Someone washes one, puts it in the cupboard, and then there are four identical ones. A first name and an initial are usually enough. If several of you have the same name, you can write the surname, since all labels in a set have the same text.
The same set is enough for the jacket, gym bag, and charger. Read more about name labels for adults.
Name label or thermos with an engraved name?
If you search for a thermos with a name, you will mostly find mugs with the name engraved or printed. At the stores shown at the top of Google, such a mug cost between SEK 287 and SEK 449 (checked in October 2026). It is a good choice as a gift: the name lasts forever, and the mug often comes in gift packaging.
| Engraved or printed name | Name label | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A gift, a mug that should last for many years | Thermoses and mugs you already have |
| Number of items | One per purchase | The entire set, for thermoses, lids, bottles, and clothes |
| May come off | No | Yes, if it is applied incorrectly or washed before the adhesive has cured |
| When the thermos is lost | The name disappears with it | The next thermos gets a label from the same set |
How much does it cost to label the family's thermoses?
Calculation example using Lappus prices in October 2026: large name labels cost SEK 139 for 30 labels, approximately SEK 4.63 per label. Regular name labels cost from SEK 139 for 124 labels, approximately SEK 1.12 per label.
A family with two children, each with a food thermos, plus a travel mug for work: two large labels on the thermoses (approximately SEK 9.26) and three regular ones on the two lids and the mug (approximately SEK 3.36). Approximately SEK 12.62 in labels in total, and the rest of the sets is enough for clothes, shoes, and backpacks. See more examples of what name labels cost per item.
Buying a new thermos? Choose one that is easy to label
We have not tested thermoses and do not rank any brands, whether Thermos, Biltema, or others. For the name label, three things matter, regardless of which thermos you choose:
- A smooth, straight surface without ridges or a full silicone cover.
- A hard lid where a regular label fits.
- Care instructions. Check whether the thermos should be washed by hand, so you know how to wash it even with the label on.
If the thermos has a temperature display in the lid, the label should be placed on the side of the thermos, never over the display.
When the label comes off: cause and solution
| What happens | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The label comes off during the first wash | The adhesive did not have time to cure | Apply a new label and wait 24 hours before washing |
| The label does not stick at all | The thermos was cold and damp from condensation | Let it warm to room temperature, dry it, and try again |
| The corners lift after a few days | The edges were not pressed down, or the surface was greasy | Clean the surface, apply a new label, and press extra firmly on the corners |
| The label wears off | It was on the bottom or over a seam | Move it to the smooth center |
Rule of thumb: the name label fits thermoses and mugs made of metal, plastic, and glass. It does not hold on silicone or soft rubber surfaces. A wooden cup is not among the materials the labels are designed for, and if you want to give away a mug, an engraved name is the better choice.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a thermos flask with a name?
Engraved and printed thermos mugs are sold in online gift shops. If you want to label a thermos you already have, apply a self-adhesive name label to it. The same set can then also label the lid and the children's other belongings.
Can I wash the thermos in the dishwasher with the name label on it?
The label is dishwasher-safe up to 60 °C once the adhesive has cured for 24 hours. However, many thermoses are not dishwasher-safe, so read the thermos care instructions first and follow whichever requirement is stricter.
Do name labels stick to stainless steel?
Yes, the labels stick to metal. The surface should be clean, dry, and at room temperature. Press extra firmly on the corners for about 10 seconds.
What size name label fits a thermos mug?
A regular name label fits most thermos mugs and the lid. On a larger food thermos, a large name label is more visible from a distance.
Can the name label withstand hot coffee in the mug?
On a vacuum-insulated mug, the outside does not get hot, so the label is applied to a cool surface. The specification applies to dishwashing at up to 60 °C. For single-walled mugs that get hot on the outside, we promise nothing beyond that.
What is “termos” in English?
A termos is called a thermos or vacuum flask in English. A thermos mug is often called a travel mug.
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