What are the Different Types of Coffee Cups? A Definitive Guide to Custom Paper Coffee Cups

Custom coffee cups are an ideal promotional item for your shop. There are many things to consider before making the final decision on what type of custom cup you need for your shop. Size, style, and color as well as material all play a role in determining which cup is right for you. Here is a definitive guide to custom coffee cups so that you can make the best decision for your business.

In this guide you will learn:

• The Different Types of Paper Coffee Cups

• Styles of Custom Coffee Cups

• How to Choose the Right Custom Cup for Your Shop
  

a guide for custom coffee cups

Now let's get started by first taking a look at the different types of coffee cups.

Different Types of Coffee Cups

Single Wall Paper Cups

There are two main types of coffee cups - single wall cups, double wall cups (insulated cups), and ripple cups (insulated).

The most common type of coffee cup is the single wall cup. They come in a variety of sizes, designs, and materials, which makes them perfect for many occasions. Single wall cups can be recyclable (PE, PER) or compostable (PLA) based on the inner coating on the paper and they can be easily customized with your logo and unique design.

Single wall cups are a budget-friendly option, but they lack insulation, which means they're made of a single layer of paperboard. Single wall cups are not insulated enough to keep beverages warm for long periods and they lack protection from the heat. Most customers add a paper sleeve anyway and this helps protect their hands while holding a hot beverage in a single wall cup.

More companies can print on a single wall cup as it's easier to produce but in some cases, the print has limitations, such as when trying to print a complex design with multiple colors or a full coverage cup design.

20oz Custom Printed Single Wall Cups

Double Wall Paper Cups (Insulated Cups)

The second type of coffee cup is the double wall cup. As the name suggests, these cups have two layers - an inner and an outer layer. The space in between the two layers is filled with air, which acts as additional insulation. The extra layer and the air-filled space provide additional insulation to protect the consumers from hot drinks and can maintain the beverage temperature for a longer period of time.

It also allows consumers to carry it around without the need for an additional paper sleeve and it is durable twice as much as a single wall cup.

Printing on a double wall cup is a privilege not given to many companies as it is more difficult and requires special machinery. In most cases, the process is done by first printing the design on a flat roll paper board, then forming the printed paperboard into a shape of a cup, and then bonding the outer layer to the single wall cup with special glue.

Double wall cups cost more than single wall cups but provide additional benefits both to the cup holder and the coffee shop. The number of shops adopting double wall cups is increasing as more companies are beginning to see the benefits of using these cups.

Double wall cups, same as a single wall cup can be recyclable or compostable based on the material of the coating on the paperboard.

Custom Double Wall Cup

Ripple Cups (Insulated)

The third type of coffee cup is the ripple cup. Ripple cups have a corrugated outer layer, which provides additional insulation and helps keep beverages hot or cold for a longer period of time. These cups are also made with double-wall construction, which makes them durable and sturdy.

Ripple cups are a great option for coffee shops as they provide excellent insulation and they are also recyclable and compostable.

Custom printing on a ripple cup is a little tricky and the results are not always as good as on a custom printed single wall or double wall cup. The corrugated outer layer creates waves on the surface of the cup, which can distort the printed design.

Ripple Wall Cups

How to Choose the Right Custom Cup for Your Shop

Now that you know the different types of coffee cups, let's take a look at how to choose the right custom cup for your shop.

The first step is to decide what type of cup you want. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, go with a single wall cup. If you want an insulated cup, choose between a double wall or ripple cup.

The second step is to decide what material you want your cup to be made of. If you want a recyclable or compostable cup, choose a cup made of PER (Paper Earth material) or PLA (Polylactic acid) which is a biodegradable material made from renewable feedstock. Choosing an Eco-friendly option is a great way to show your customers that you care about the environment.

The third step is to decide what size cup you need. Custom coffee cups come in a variety of sizes, from 3 and 4 oz espresso cups all the way to 20 and even 24 oz cups. Depending on the size of your cup, you might need a different type of lid which is another factor to keep in mind, shelf space is extremely important. Choose a size that will fit your needs, and your drinks, and always keep in mind that more cup sizes mean more investment and larger storage space. When it comes to the size of the drinks you offer, smaller sizes are usually faster to be consumed while larger sizes will remain hot for longer. This is why using 4oz single wall cups for espresso or “short” drinks will make more sense and reserving the custom printed double wall cups for larger sizes, will be a better cost-effective approach. It could also be a good choice if you’re trying to break into a corporate or high-income market where a more luxurious cup could make a better impression. Ultimately, the size of the cup you offer matters, as it can impact your investment, branding, and the overall experience your customers have.

The fourth step is to choose a design and colors for your cups. You can either design the cup yourself using online software such as Canva or use a professional graphic designer. This is also good timing to decide what printing method you'll need. Custom coffee cups can be any color you want, from white to black to green, and can be printed in a single color, two, three colors or a four-color process, known as Full-color printing.

The color of the coffee cup will also play a role in determining which cup is right for you and will represent your shop and your overall brand. More about branding in our blog articles.

The fifth and final step is to choose a lid for your cup. Depending on the type of cup you choose, you might need a different size and type of lid. For example, 4oz espresso drinks, 8oz cortado, and 16oz coffee cups all need a different size lid. The 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz are all using the same lid size - 90mm which is the industry standard while plastic cups share a 98mm for the 12oz, 16oz, 20oz and 24oz (check with your supplier before placing an order).

Lid options include flat, domed, or sipper and many other options depend on the brand manufacturer and the cup type and style.

Printed cups

Printing the Cups

choosing a company to print your cups is one of the most important parts of the process. You want to make sure you choose a company that has experience printing custom coffee cups.

You also want to make sure you choose a company that uses high-quality food-grade inks and paper so your cups will look great and won't smell like freshly printed ink. production and turn-around time is a crucial part of choosing a supplier as well, you need to make sure they can meet your deadlines.

Some companies will require a minimum order quantity (MOQ), which is the smallest amount of cups you can order. The industry standard MOQ for custom coffee cups is 30,000 but some companies have a higher or lower minimum. At Print About it, we specialized in low order minimums so be sure to check out our website, products, and turn-around time.

You also want to make sure you're getting a good price for your cups. The cost of custom coffee cups can vary depending on the type of cup, the size of the order, and the printing method.

The bottom line is that you want to make sure you're working with a company you can trust to deliver a high-quality product on time and at a fair price.

Now that you know the 5 steps to take when ordering custom coffee cups, you're ready to get started on your order! If you have any questions or need help choosing the right cup or design for your business, feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.

Target Audience

The target audience of the coffee cup will also play a role in determining which cup is right for you. You will need to decide which target audience you are trying to reach with your custom cups. Are you trying to appeal to a young, hip audience or are you looking for a more sophisticated look to attract an older crowd? Your target audience will also help determine the type of cup you choose.

Now that you know all of the different factors that go into choosing a custom coffee cup, you can make the best decision for your shop. Choose the right size, style, color, and material type of cup so that you can reach your target audience and promote your business in the best way possible while maintaining a consistent branding identity.