A to go coffee cup is a printed paper cup, usually with a lid, made for customers who leave with their drink. TBPB prints them custom with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs, we beat it.
What makes a cup a to go cup
The cup itself is the same paper cup as any other. The difference is the system around it. A to go order means a lid that stays on in a car cup holder, a wall that does not scorch the hand, and a logo that is still readable when the cup is moving down a street. Think of the cup, the lid and the sleeve as one set, and size all three together. A great cup with a lid that pops off at the first bump will cost you more in complaints than a basic cup that seals well.
Confirm the lid fit with us when you order, because lid diameter must match the cup rim, and it changes by size. Do not assume a lid from one supplier fits a cup from another.
Sizes and wall types
Hot cups commonly come in 8, 12, 16 and 20 ounce sizes, and the 12 and 16 ounce cups cover the majority of takeaway orders. A single wall cup is cheapest and works when you also add a sleeve. A double wall cup has an air gap that keeps the outside cooler, so it often needs no sleeve, and it holds heat longer. If your drinks are very hot or customers walk a long way, double wall is worth the upgrade, and our double wall coffee cups page shows that build.
Cold drinks are different. They need a cup suited to condensation and a lid with a straw hole, so say so when you request a quote.
One thing cafe owners overlook until the first delivery: storage. Paper cups nest into tall sleeves, and a few thousand take real shelf or floor space. Dust and damp ruin the rim, so keep cartons off the floor and away from the dishwasher steam. If space is tight, a smaller order with a quicker reorder rhythm suits you better than one big stock, and with no minimum you can do exactly that.
Branding that works in motion
Big, simple marks beat detailed art on a cup. People see your cup at arm length or across a pavement. Use a bold logo, one or two strong colours and plenty of space. A thin script logo that looks sharp on a screen turns to mush on a curved surface. The seam also matters: keep key artwork away from the vertical seam where the paper overlaps.
For extra grip and extra billboard space, add coffee sleeves printed with your offer or loyalty message.
Options at a glance
- Sizes: commonly 8, 12, 16 and 20 ounce hot cups
- Single wall with a sleeve, or double wall without one
- Full-colour print with Pantone matching for brand colours
- Matching lids and printed sleeves
- Recyclable or compostable cup options, which we can discuss, such as compostable coffee cups
Be careful with sustainability claims. Whether a cup can be recycled or composted depends on local facilities, and words like compostable or recyclable can be regulated. Ask us what the cup is made from, then check the claim against your own city rules before printing it on the cup.
Food contact and labelling rules are your responsibility as the seller. We print the artwork you supply and do not certify materials, so confirm requirements with your own regulatory adviser.
Send the cup size, wall type, whether you need lids and sleeves, and a quantity, even a single cup, and we will quote it. The full range is under coffee packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What are to go coffee cups?
They are paper cups made for takeaway coffee, normally used with a lid and often a sleeve. Branded cups carry your logo as customers walk out, so they double as advertising. The wall type and size depend on the drink and how far it travels.
Is there a minimum order for custom coffee cups?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so a new cafe can start with a short run to test a design and reorder as traffic grows. Each cup is printed to your size, wall type and artwork.
What sizes do coffee to go cups come in?
Hot cups commonly come in 8, 12, 16 and 20 ounce sizes, and the 12 and 16 ounce sizes cover most orders. Tell us your menu volumes and we recommend the range. Lid diameter changes with each size, so lids must match.
Should I choose single wall or double wall?
Single wall is simpler and works with a sleeve. Double wall has an air gap that keeps the outside cooler and the drink warmer, so it often needs no sleeve. If drinks are very hot or customers walk far, double wall is worth considering.
Do the cups come with lids?
Lids must match the cup rim size, so tell us the cup size and whether you need lids when you request a quote. We confirm the pairing before printing. Do not assume a lid from another supplier fits a printed cup.
Can I claim my cups are compostable or recyclable?
Only if the material supports it and your local facilities accept it. Ask us what the cup is made from, then check your city rules before printing a claim on the cup. We do not certify materials, and rules vary by location.
More Coffee Boxes
See the full Coffee Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
