The short answer is no screen printed drinkware is dishwasher safe, even if it says top shelf safe.
Here is a bit lengthier explanation.
We sell a fair amount of mugs and tumblers to companies that use them in their conference rooms, break rooms, etc. Because of this, and some complaints that their logos were fading, we have done a good bit of research into this.
What we found from talking to many mug suppliers is that short of etching your drinkware, there is no screen print that can withstand repetitive dishwashing over time. This is not to say that your logo is going to wash off or fade the first few months. However, if you are running them through the dishwasher (even on the top shelf) several times a week then your logo will fade in about a year’s time.
This is especially true if you use a commercial dishwasher.
There are drinkware items that state they are “top shelf safe”, but you’ll just have to trust me they will fade over time. There are others that are treated with a special coating to make the imprint last longer, but at some point in time they will fade also.
You can do an etched drinkware item and avoid this, but since etching is a much more expensive process we have had clients decide it was better to keep ordering the screen printed ones and replace them periodically. Also, we are talking about a true etched imprint. There is a “satin etch” imprint but that is really a screen print made to look frosted, or like it is etched.
Feel free to contact me, Kevin Lorance, kevin@promohounds.com, if you have questions or need help. Thank you.