Custom paper coffee cups are printed hot-drink cups with your logo and artwork on the outside, made by TBPB in the sizes and wall types your cafe needs with no minimum order. Bring a written quote for the same specs and we beat it.
Single wall, double wall or ripple wall
The wall decides how the cup feels in the hand, and it is the first choice to make. A single-wall cup is one layer of paperboard, light and economical, and it gets hot to hold, which is why most shops add a cardboard sleeve. A double-wall cup has a second layer that insulates the drink and the fingers, so no sleeve is needed. A ripple-wall cup has a corrugated outer layer that traps air and gives a grip with some texture. For espresso and short drinks single wall is fine. For a 16 ounce latte that people carry down the street, a double or ripple wall is kinder.
Size, lid and the small details that cause problems
Common hot cup sizes in the US are 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 ounces, each with a standard rim diameter that matches stock lids. If you print on a standard size, stock lids fit and you avoid a custom order for lids. The lid is a separate item, so ask us what rim diameter applies to the size you want. A cup that does not match the lid is a leak you find out about on the first morning rush.
Check the interior lining too. Paper cups need a barrier layer to hold liquid, usually polyethylene or a plant-based alternative. Ask what lining is available for your chosen cup and confirm food contact and any compostability claim with your regulatory adviser. TBPB prints the artwork you supply and does not certify food safety or composting.
When is single wall the wrong call? Any drink above about 12 ounces that leaves the shop in a hand, not a cup holder. You can fix it with a sleeve, but a sleeve is a second item to stock, print and run out of. A double-wall cup removes that item from your inventory list, and for many shops the saved headache is worth the heavier cup.
Print that holds up on a curved surface
Cups print on a curved, tapered shape, so artwork is flattened into an arc-shaped dieline. Fine detail near the seam is lost, and text that runs around the full wrap gets cut where the edges meet. Keep your logo clear of the seam, and keep important text out of the lower inch, where the cup narrows. A single bold color on white or kraft reads well from across a counter and prints more predictably than a photograph. Pantone matching helps when your brand color has to look the same on every cup.
- Single-wall, double-wall and ripple-wall hot cups
- Common sizes: 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 ounce, matched to stock lids
- White or kraft paper exterior
- CMYK or Pantone print wrapped around the cup
- Interior lining options, to be confirmed for your use
Order volume matters less than people think when you are starting out. Because there is no minimum order, many new cafes print a small run in one size, hand them out, and see how the design looks in a customer photograph before committing to the full range. Cup artwork that looks great on a screen sometimes reads badly on a curved white cup, and a test cup tells you in a day.
Next step
Cups work alongside other coffee-shop packaging. For a takeaway pastry, see our coffee boxes, and for a carrier that moves several drinks, take a look at the beverage boxes. Send us the cup size, wall type and a quantity, even one, and we draw the print layout and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for custom paper coffee cups?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order one printed cup as a sample or a full pallet. Send your size, wall type and artwork and we set up the print layout and quote it. We beat any written quote for the same specs.
What cup sizes are available?
The common hot cup sizes are 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 ounce. Each size has a standard rim diameter that matches stock lids. Tell us which size you want and we confirm the rim so the lid fits.
What is the difference between single, double and ripple wall?
Single wall is one layer and is the lightest. Double wall adds a second layer that insulates the drink. Ripple wall has a corrugated outer layer that grips well and traps air. Larger drinks usually justify a double or ripple wall.
Do the cups come with lids?
Lids are a separate item. Matching them to the cup rim is important, so tell us the cup size and we confirm the standard rim diameter, then you can source or order lids that fit it.
Are your cups compostable or food safe?
TBPB prints the artwork you supply and does not certify food safety or compostability. The inner lining varies by cup, so confirm food contact rules and any environmental claim with your regulatory adviser before ordering.
Can I print a full-color photo on the cup?
Yes, CMYK covers photography and gradients. Keep key detail away from the seam and the narrow base, because the curved surface distorts fine type. A bold logo on a plain background prints most reliably.
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