CyanSunCustom paper cups · Shenzhen
Custom Printed Paper Cups
Custom printed paper cups are one of the cheapest ways to put a brand in a customer's hand — and one of the easiest packaging projects to get wrong. We produce hot and cold cups from 4 oz to 32 oz, print your artwork on food-safe board, and supply lids, sleeves and the food-contact documents your market asks for.
4–32 oz · Low-MOQ digital runs · FDA/EU documents on request
What We Make
We produce the full takeaway cup set: single-wall hot cups, double-wall and ripple cups for heat protection, cold cups for iced drinks, ice-cream cups, soup containers and kraft cups. Standard sizes run from 4 oz to 32 oz; custom sizes are possible with a new die.
| Cup type | Common sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-wall hot cup | 4–20 oz | Coffee, tea, hot chocolate |
| Double-wall / ripple | 8–16 oz | Hot drinks without a separate sleeve |
| Cold cup | 12–32 oz | Iced coffee, smoothies, soft drinks |
| Ice-cream cup | 4–8 oz | Gelato, ice cream, desserts |
| Soup / food cup | 8–32 oz | Soup, noodles, takeaway meals |
| Kraft cup | 8–16 oz | Natural, eco-positioned brands |
Lids are available in PS, PP, PLA and paper; sleeves can be printed or left plain. Straws, napkins and cup carriers can be consolidated into the same shipment.
Custom Printing Options
Flexo printing is the standard for paper cups: one to six spot colours, crisp edges and the lowest unit cost at volume. Digital printing is available for short runs and full-colour artwork, so you can test a design or launch several SKUs without paying for plates.
- Up to six spot colours on flexo; full CMYK on digital.
- Pantone matching on white or kraft board.
- Full-wrap or one-side printing with food-safe inks.
- Matte or gloss varnish on the outer wall.
- Inside coating in PE, water-based or PLA — PFAS-free options available.
If your artwork uses small type, fine lines or a large solid area, ask for a printed proof. Flexo holds fine detail well, but very thin reverse type can fill in on a curved cup.
Paper, Coatings and Food Safety
Cups are made from food-grade cup stock, usually 200–350 gsm, with a barrier coating on the inside. The coating decides heat resistance, leak performance and what you can legally claim in your market.
| Coating | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| PE | Hot and cold drinks | Standard and lowest cost; not compostable |
| Water-based | Hot drinks, PFAS-free projects | PFAS-free; recyclability depends on the mill and stream |
| PLA | Cold drinks, compostable projects | Requires a certified compostable system for the claim |
We can supply the current FDA and EU food-contact declarations, migration test reports and PFAS-free statements for the exact stock and coating used. Tell us the destination country and we will confirm which documents apply.
For children's cups, promotional cups or cups used with fatty or acidic foods, we review ink migration and heavy-metal requirements before production. We do not claim a certification until the current certificate for that material is on file.
MOQ and What Drives the Price
Paper cups are a high-volume product. Digital runs typically start at 5,000 cups per design; flexo becomes economical from about 30,000 cups. The exact minimum depends on size, wall, coating and the number of print colours — confirm it before you commit to a design.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Quantity | Unit price falls sharply as volume rises |
| Cup size | Bigger cups use more board and take more freight space |
| Wall | Double-wall and ripple cups add material and machine time |
| Print colours | Each flexo colour adds a plate and an ink unit |
| Coating | PLA and water-based coatings cost more than PE |
| Lids and sleeves | Extra components and packing labour |
| Freight | Cups are bulky; sea freight is usually the economical choice |
We quote FOB Shenzhen, CIF or DDP. For small or mixed orders we can consolidate cups, lids and sleeves into one shipment, and we can split cartons across more than one delivery address.
Custom Printed Cups vs Stock Cups with Labels
Stock cups with a printed label are cheaper at very low volumes and let you change the design without a plate. Custom printing wins once you need 5,000 cups or more per design, a full-wrap pattern, or a coating matched to the drink. Labels can also peel in a fridge or look less premium in a branded cafe, so most growing brands move to custom cups before their first chain listing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a flat rectangle as artwork instead of the tapered cup dieline.
- Choosing a cup size before checking the fill volume and lid fit.
- Assuming a lid fits every cup — double-wall and ripple cups often use a different diameter.
- Ordering a coating that does not match the drink temperature or the compostable claim.
- Leaving barcodes and small type too close to the curve, where they distort.
Artwork and Dieline
Every cup size has its own tapered dieline. We send the exact template before you start artwork — do not use a flat rectangle, or the logo will distort around the curve.
- PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, CMYK or Pantone.
- 300 dpi images, 3 mm bleed and a 3 mm safe area inside the trim.
- Minimum text size around 6 pt; very thin strokes may fill in on flexo.
- Check barcodes at final size and contrast on the curved surface.
- We check the file free of charge and flag issues before plates are made.
Production Timeline
Sampling usually takes 5–7 working days. After artwork and sample approval, production is typically 15–25 working days, depending on quantity and printing method. Sea freight to the US or EU adds about 25–40 days; air freight is faster but rarely economical for cups.
Chinese New Year, May Day and National Day can add one to two weeks. If you have a launch date, send it with the inquiry and we will build the schedule backwards.
Where These Cups Are Used
- Coffee shops, roasters and drive-through chains.
- Ice-cream, gelato and dessert brands.
- Bakeries, juice bars and bubble-tea shops.
- Food-service distributors and private-label brands.
- Events, festivals, hotels and offices.
- Brands testing a design before a larger offset run.
Why CyanSun
We are a Shenzhen-based print and packaging partner, not a marketplace. You deal with one English-speaking project manager from dieline to delivery, and we coordinate the cup factory, printing, lids, sleeves and export documents as one order.
- Low-MOQ digital runs and offset pricing at volume.
- Free artwork and dieline check before you pay for plates.
- Food-contact documents and PFAS-free statements for your market.
- Lids, sleeves and straws consolidated with the cups.
- FOB, CIF or DDP quotes, including multi-address shipping.
- One contact for sampling, production and after-sales.
Production & quality
From MOQ to inspection
Guides
Plan your paper cup order
Free tools
Calculators for sizes, blanks and freight
Five free calculators that answer the questions that come up before a quote: how big the cup really is, what the flat blank looks like, what the sleeve needs, how many fit in a container, and what it costs delivered. No sign-up, no email gate.
Request a quote
Send your cup spec. Get a price in one business day.
Send these six details and we will reply with a price and lead time within one business day:
- Size in oz or ml, and whether the cup is for hot or cold drinks.
- Quantity per design, and how many designs.
- Cup type: single wall, double wall, ripple, kraft or compostable.
- Print colours and artwork status — ready, or needs help.
- Lid and sleeve requirements.
- Delivery country and postcode, plus your target date.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for custom paper cups?
Digital printing typically starts at 5,000 cups per design. Flexo becomes economical from about 30,000 cups. The exact minimum depends on size, coating and the number of colours.
Can you print my logo on paper cups?
Yes. Send a vector logo or a print-ready PDF; we place it on the correct tapered dieline and send a proof before production.
Are your cups food-safe?
We use food-grade cup stock and food-contact coatings. We can supply FDA and EU declarations, migration test reports and PFAS-free statements for the exact material. Tell us the destination market.
Do you offer PFAS-free or compostable cups?
Yes — PFAS-free water-based and PLA-lined options are available. Compostable claims require the correct certification for your market, so we confirm what can be claimed before you print it.
What sizes can you make?
4 oz to 32 oz as standard, including 8, 12 and 16 oz coffee cups and 12, 16, 24 and 32 oz cold cups. Custom sizes need a new die and a higher minimum.
Can I get a sample before ordering?
Yes. Pre-production samples are available; sample and courier costs are quoted separately and can be discussed against the order.
How long does production take?
Samples take 5–7 working days. Production is typically 15–25 working days after approval, plus sea or air freight.
Do you supply lids and sleeves?
Yes — PS, PP, PLA and paper lids, plus printed or plain sleeves. We can consolidate them with the cups.
Can you ship DDP?
We quote FOB, CIF or DDP depending on destination. DDP is available for many markets; send the delivery postcode for a landed cost.
What artwork file do you need?
PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, CMYK or Pantone, 300 dpi and 3 mm bleed. We send the exact dieline and check the file free of charge.