How a Spanish Designer Prints a Unique Coffee Cup Every Day

Ever wonder how a single change in your coffee cup’s shape could shift your whole morning mood? One designer took that idea to the extreme—creating a radically different cup every day for a full month, each one brewed for function, form, and surprise.

In 30 days, Spanish designer Bernat Cuni produced one unique ceramic coffee cup per day, each designed, printed, and finished within just 24 hours. That’s 30 distinct cups, each no larger than 4.5 centimeters in diameter, with prices ranging from $36 to $81 each. The project, titled "One Cup a Day," showcases the speed and creative freedom of digital fabrication.

What Is the ‘One Cup a Day’ Project?

Bernat Cuni, a prolific designer based in Spain, set out to explore the possibilities of 3D ceramic printing by making one functional coffee cup per day for 30 consecutive days. Each cup was a new design, ranging from whimsical to minimalist, all created from concept to final piece within a strict 24-hour timeframe. The project wasn’t just artistic—it was a technical challenge to push the limits of rapid ceramic manufacturing.

How 3D Ceramic Printing Works for Coffee Cups

The heart of the process is a layered build using fine ceramic powder and organic binder. On a flat bed of ceramic powder, the printer deposits binder only where the cup’s structure exists. After each layer, more powder and binder are added, gradually forming the full 3D model. This continues until the entire cup is digitally “built.” The printed piece is then fired in a kiln, which solidifies the binder and fuses the powder into a solid ceramic form. Once cooled, excess powder is brushed away, revealing the shaped cup beneath.

This isn’t just printing plastic. The resulting ceramic body still requires additional steps to become a durable, food-safe product ready for daily coffee use.

Finishing the Cups: Glazing and Firing

To make each cup both smooth and durable, Cuni applied a water-based spray glaze to reduce surface roughness. The glazed pieces underwent a low-temperature firing cycle as a preparatory step. They were then fired again at high temperatures to set the glaze permanently. These final firings ensure the cups can handle the heat and repeated use of daily coffee brewing while giving them a polished, professional finish. The entire post-print process, including glazing and high-temp firing, takes additional time beyond the initial 24-hour print window—but the print itself remains central to meeting the tight daily production goal.

Why This Matters for Design and Functionality

By completing a cup every 24 hours, Cuni demonstrated not only the potential of 3D ceramic printing but also its viability as a tool for functional art and consumer products. Each cup reflects a balance between experimental design and practical use. They’re not just sculptures—they’re meant to hold your coffee. The dimensions, heat resistance, and material safety all meet standards required for real-world use, even as the forms stretch the imagination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many coffee cups did Bernat Cuni make in the project?

Bernat Cuni created 30 unique coffee cups over the course of 30 days, producing one per day as part of his "One Cup a Day" project.

How long did it take to make each cup?

Each coffee cup was designed, printed, and finished within a strict 24-hour timeframe, from initial concept to final physical object.

What technology was used to create the cups?

The cups were made using 3D ceramic printing, which involves depositing organic binder on layers of ceramic powder to build the shape layer by layer before firing and glazing.

What is the size of each coffee cup?

Each cup has a diameter of approximately 4.5 centimeters, making them compact yet functional for single servings of coffee.

Are the 3D-printed cups safe to use?

Yes, the cups are made with coated, glazed ceramic that meets safety, heat resistance, and recyclability standards for holding hot beverages like coffee.

How much does each cup cost?

The price of each cup ranges from $36 to $81, depending on the design and complexity of the daily model.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cup Experiments

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