Restaurant coffee cups are custom printed paper cups for hot drinks, made for cafes, restaurants, bakeries and food trucks that want their brand in the customer’s hand. TBPB prints them to your artwork with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs, we beat it.
What a restaurant actually needs from a cup
A cafe cup has to do three jobs at once: hold a hot drink without leaking, stay comfortable to hold, and carry the logo clearly for the ten or fifteen minutes someone walks around with it. The print is what makes the cup work as advertising, but the cup has to work as a cup first. A beautiful design on a cup that sweats or softens at the seam does the brand more harm than a plain white one. When you ask for a quote, say what you serve, since a quick espresso shot and a large latte are very different jobs.
Choosing a size and a wall
Hot paper cups come in a spread of standard sizes, usually from a small espresso-sized cup up to around 20 oz for large drinks. Most cafes settle on three or four sizes so staff are not juggling a dozen lids. Single wall cups are the simplest and work for drinks that are not served at very high temperatures, but the outside gets hot to hold, which is why many shops add a sleeve. Double wall cups have an extra layer that insulates the hand and keeps the drink warmer for longer, and they give a thicker, more substantial feel. If you use sleeves already, a single wall cup may be all you need.
Printing a cup that reads well in the hand
A cup is a curved, tapered surface, so artwork wraps around it and gets narrower toward the base. Place the logo where it faces the customer when the cup is held with the seam to one side, and keep fine type away from the seam. Bold marks, a simple colour field and a strong logo read better than detailed illustrations at this scale. Full-colour printing and Pantone matching are available, and a solid brand colour across the whole cup is one of the strongest ways to make a plain drink look like part of the brand.
- Single wall or double wall hot cups
- Custom artwork, logo and Pantone brand colours
- Sizes chosen to match your menu
- Pair with sleeves if you use single wall
- No minimum order
Matching lids and checking the details
A cup is only half the system. Lids are matched to the rim diameter of the cup, so tell us which lid you buy or plan to buy, and we size the cup around it. If you run both hot and cold drinks, remember that cold cups are a different build, so ask rather than assume a hot cup will do. Food-contact and compostability claims depend on the exact materials, so confirm them with your own regulatory adviser and your supplier before putting them on the cup. TBPB prints the artwork you supply.
When another cup or pack fits better
For a heavier-duty wall with a more insulated feel, see the custom printed double wall coffee cups. A general overview of the range lives on the paper coffee cups page, and if your priority is a cup that looks like a to-go staple, to-go coffee cups may be closer. Single wall cups pair well with coffee sleeves. You can see everything in the coffee packaging category.
Send us your sizes, your lid, your artwork and a quantity, even a small one, and we will draw it up and quote the job.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for restaurant coffee cups?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so a single cafe can print a small first run, check how the cups look in service, and reorder. Send your sizes and quantity and we quote it. If you have a written quote for the same specs elsewhere, we beat it.
What is the difference between single wall and double wall cups?
A single wall cup has one layer of paperboard and is the simplest option, but the outside gets hot. A double wall cup adds a second layer that insulates the hand and keeps the drink warmer, so it often needs no sleeve and feels sturdier.
What sizes do coffee cups come in?
Hot paper cups are commonly sold from a small espresso-sized cup up to about 20 oz. Most cafes use three or four sizes to keep lids and storage simple. Tell us your menu and we suggest the sizes that match your drinks.
How do I make sure the lids fit?
Lids fit by rim diameter, so the cup and lid must be matched. Tell us which lid you buy now or plan to buy and we size the cup around it. If you are changing suppliers, check the rim before ordering a large run.
Can I print my logo and brand colours on the cup?
Yes. We print your logo and artwork with Pantone matching for brand colours. Because the cup is curved and tapered, keep fine type away from the seam and use bold shapes. Send your artwork and we place it correctly on the cup.
Are your cups compostable or food safe?
That depends on the exact materials and coatings, so confirm any compostable or food-contact claim with your own regulatory adviser and your supplier before you put it on the cup. TBPB prints the artwork you supply, and you stay responsible for the claims on the pack.
More Coffee Boxes
See the full Coffee Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
