Paper cups.
Everything you need to spec, source, and order paper cups — types, sizing, coatings, and custom printing — in one place.
Types of paper cups.
Five families cover almost every back-of-house and front-of-house use case. Pick by serving temperature and how the cup is held.
Single-wall hot
Drip coffee, tea, and other hot drinks served with a sleeve. The lowest-cost option.
Double-wall hot
Specialty coffee and longer dwell times. Holds heat without a sleeve.
Ripple-wall
Premium hot drinks on the go. Textured outer wall offers grip and insulation.
Cold cup
Iced coffee, juice, soft drinks. Coated to resist condensation.
Compostable
Programs that need to meet a sustainability target. Available across hot and cold.
How to measure a paper cup.
Three measurements specify a cup. Take them with the cup right-side up on a flat surface.
Outer diameter at the rim, in mm. Critical for lid fit — every lid family is sized to a specific top diameter (typically 80mm, 90mm, or 73mm for small cups).
Outer diameter at the base, in mm. Affects stacking and sleeve fit, not lid choice.
From base to rim, in mm. Combined with top diameter, this defines volume.
8 oz ≈ 240 ml · 12 oz ≈ 355 ml · 16 oz ≈ 475 ml. Spec by oz if your suppliers are US-based, by ml elsewhere.
Coatings available.
A paper cup is paper plus a thin barrier layer. The barrier choice drives recyclability, cost, and which drinks the cup can hold.
PE (polyethylene)
- Pro
- Lowest cost, widest availability, handles both hot and cold.
- Con
- Requires specialised recycling streams — not curbside-compatible everywhere.
- When to choose
- Default for high-volume operations where cost and supply matter most.
PLA (polylactic acid)
- Pro
- Plant-based barrier from corn starch. Industrial-compostable.
- Con
- Needs a commercial composting facility — does not break down in landfill.
- When to choose
- Programs with a closed-loop compost partner or sustainability mandates.
Water-based
- Pro
- Fully repulpable with standard paper recycling. No plastic layer at all.
- Con
- Higher cost per unit; slightly shorter dwell time for very hot drinks.
- When to choose
- Operators who want a truly recyclable cup without changing their disposal stream.
Double-PE
- Pro
- PE on both inner and outer walls. Resists soak-through for soups and stews.
- Con
- Heavier, more material, costs more — overkill for most beverages.
- When to choose
- Hot food applications: soup cups, broth, congee, ramen.
Custom printing & design guidelines.
Most suppliers on the marketplace support custom artwork. Follow these specs to keep proofs fast and reprints rare.
Vector preferred (AI, EPS, PDF). If raster, supply 300 dpi minimum at final print size. Outline all fonts.
CMYK for process printing. Spot colours by Pantone reference if you need brand-accurate red, blue, or green.
3mm bleed on all edges. Keep critical artwork (logos, legal copy) 5mm inside the trim.
Up to 6 colours on flexo presses, full-CMYK on offset. Confirm with the supplier before designing dense gradients.
Every size needs its own dieline — the cup is conical, so artwork wraps in a fan shape, not a rectangle. Request the dieline from the supplier before you start.
Typical MOQ is 10,000 cups per SKU per size. Lead time is 3–4 weeks for the first run, 2–3 weeks for repeats.
FAQ.
Can one lid fit multiple cup sizes?
Yes — lids match the top diameter, not the volume. An 8/12/16 oz family typically shares a 90mm lid; smaller cups (4 oz) take a different lid.
What is the difference between hot and cold cups?
Hot cups have a thicker board and a barrier rated for high temperatures. Cold cups are coated to resist condensation but can warp if used for hot liquids.
Are paper cups recyclable?
Depends on the coating. PE-coated cups need a paper-cup-specific recycling stream. Water-based-coated cups are fully repulpable in standard paper recycling. PLA cups need an industrial composting facility.
What is the MOQ for custom-printed cups?
Most suppliers start at 10,000 cups per SKU per size. Some run as low as 5,000 for cold cups. Stock (unprinted) cups have no MOQ — you can order a single carton.
How long does a custom print run take?
Plan on 3–4 weeks from artwork approval for the first run, then 2–3 weeks for reprints once the dieline and plates are on file with the supplier.
Can I source a small trial run before committing?
Yes. Stock cups ship same-week from most suppliers on the marketplace. Use those for trials; switch to custom-printed once the SKU is stable.
Start sourcing
paper cups.
Compare suppliers, see live pricing, and place an order — all on the Aeros marketplace.