Creating a Realistic Nescafé Red Cup in Blender – Step by Step

Bringing everyday items to life in 3D is a fantastic way to learn modeling, materials, and rendering. In this project, I recreated the iconic Nescafé red cup using Blender—from the initial blockout to photorealistic renders. Here’s how the process unfolded, with screenshots at every step.

Why the Nescafé Cup?

Choosing a recognizable product like the Nescafé red mug is ideal for product visualization practice. Its unique geometry, distinct red color, and bold branding present the perfect challenge for mastering mesh modeling, UV unwrapping, and material creation.

1. Modeling the Cup

The journey started in Blender by laying out the basic cup shape with mesh modeling techniques. I focused on optimizing the topology to ensure smooth curves and a clean handle attachment. The wireframe view below shows the underlying structure, which is crucial for a realistic final result.

2. Sculpting and Refining

Using Blender’s sculpting tools, I refined the lip of the cup, softened the edges, and gave the handle a natural, comfortable shape. This phase is all about detailing, tweaking vertices, and maintaining symmetry.

3. Adding Materials and Textures

The next challenge was surfacing. The signature red glaze and white interior needed accurate materials. I used Blender’s Principled BSDF shader, adjusting roughness for realistic reflections and shine. For the logo, I did a quick UV unwrap and mapped a transparent PNG for crisp branding detail.

4. Lighting and Rendering

Lighting makes or breaks a product render! I set up a simple HDRi environment for natural reflections and added soft area lights to control highlights and shadows. Final renders were done in both Eevee (for quick preview) and Cycles (for photorealism), showing how different render engines affect the result.

5. Showcasing Progress

Below are the main stages of the project:

Wireframe for topology review

Clay render to check shapes and surface quality

Viewport and custom lighting setups

Final Cycles photorealistic render

Each image captures a crucial phase in the workflow—from polygonal base to a finished product ready for showcase.

What I Learned

This project taught the value of clean topology, the impact of realistic lighting, and the importance of proper shading for product visualization. It’s a highly rewarding exercise for anyone looking to boost their Blender and 3D modeling skills.

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