Gifts for new doctors and graduates

Years of lectures, wards, exams and night shifts deserve more than a bouquet that wilts by Friday. Whether it is an MBBS result, a convocation, the first day of house job, or a new engineer's first site visit, a profession mug marks the moment with something they will use every day. At Polymer Hands we shape a tiny version of them by hand from polymer clay, in their own uniform and with their own tools, fix it onto a real mug and bake it so the clay sets. Nothing printed, nothing moulded.

Which milestones suit a profession mug?

• MBBS or BDS results and the moment someone becomes "Dr." for the first time.
• Convocation, with a graduation gown, cap or a degree scroll.
• Starting house job, when the mug goes to the duty room for long nights.
• A first job or posting for engineers, pilots, teachers, chefs and many other careers.
• Passing a professional exam or getting a promotion.

Which mug type should you choose?

The profession mug (from Rs 2,200) is one figure in uniform with the tools of the job. For doctors, that might be a lab coat, scrubs, stethoscope, clipboard or a teddy pinned to the coat. For engineers, a hard hat and plans. For pilots, the uniform and an aircraft. For teachers, a book and a board. Profession mugs are not only for medicine, so tell us the job and what they wear for it. See more ideas in profession mugs.

If you want them shown off-duty, with a hobby rather than the job, a single-figure mug starts at Rs 2,100. For a simple "Dr." or "Engr." with their name in clay letters and no figure, a name mug starts at Rs 1,900.

Graduating together? Two classmates fit on a two-figure mug from Rs 2,400, and a group on a family mug from Rs 2,700 for three figures, with extra figures at Rs 300 each, up to eight.

The uniform details we need

The difference between a generic doctor and their doctor is in the details. When you personalise the mug, tell us:

• Lab coat, scrubs or gown, and their colours. A half gown, half lab coat is possible too.
• Hijab, cap, hairstyle, beard and glasses.
• The shirt colour under the coat.
• Tools and extras: a stethoscope, clipboard, a small teddy on the coat, a degree scroll.

You can upload up to five reference photos, and clear, front-facing ones help most. Our usual style is blank faces or a figure seen from behind. Cartoon faces with eyes and a smile are made on request.

Choose the mug colour to suit the uniform. A white coat stands out on glossy black, dark green or brown, or on matte black, royal blue, red or dark green (Rs 300 more).

What should the text say?

Titles and names fit neatly: "Dr." plus their name, "Engr.", "MBBS" and the year, or "Captain". Urdu and English both work. Keep it short so the letters stay crisp; very long text is hard to keep tidy in clay, so we may suggest a shorter version. For the speech-worthy message, add a gift note when you personalise the mug and we will put it in the box.

How early should you order?

Results and convocation dates are sometimes announced at short notice, so order as soon as you know the date. Every mug is made by hand in 7–10 days and then handed to a courier with tracking. Delivery is Rs 250 anywhere in Pakistan, and the courier usually takes 2–3 days after dispatch.

If the day is less than 10 days away, message us on WhatsApp at 0335-4602621 before ordering and we will tell you honestly whether it can be done. We send a photo of the finished mug before it is dispatched. One customer ordered for two doctors, then came back for two more; read the story of the lab-coat mugs.

Ordering for a whole batch or department? Use the bulk orders form and the studio will reply with options.

A warning for hospital pantries

Duty-room microwaves are tempting at 3am, but this mug must never go in one. Tell them to hand wash it with warm soapy water and a soft sponge, and keep it away from the oven and dishwasher too. They can drink from it, since the figures are on the outside. More in our care guide.