Do I need to supply print-ready artwork?
No. Send us anything you have — a logo, brand guidelines or a rough sketch — and our design team will adapt it to the cup template at no extra charge.
Product buying guide
Paper Cups for UK food businesses
Single and double-wall cups for hot and cold drinks. This page is built to answer the common questions buyers usually ask before requesting a custom quote.
Typical MOQ
1,000 units
Price range
£0.08 to £0.25 / unit
Best used for
Speciality coffee shops and roasteries
Best for
Typical service situations where this packaging route makes sense.
Speciality coffee shops and roasteries
Takeaway hot chocolate, tea and chai
Festivals, sports venues and pop-ups
Office, hotel and conference hot drinks
Typical buyers
Who usually purchases this category before moving into RFQ.
UK cafes and coffee shops
Takeaway drink counters
Multi-site beverage brands
Custom options
Buyers usually want to understand what can change before they ask for pricing.
Size options start from 4 oz / 100 ml and can be matched to your service format.
Material routes include Single-wall PE, Double-wall PE, Ripple-wall.
Print routes include Offset CMYK + spot, Flexographic 1–4 colours, Matt or gloss varnish.
We can scope logo placement, print coverage, finish preference and whether the job is a first run or repeat order.
What we need to quote accurately
Estimated quantity or quantity band. MOQ for this category typically starts from 1,000 units.
Preferred size, format or application so we can avoid quoting the wrong spec.
Artwork status: logo only, partly ready, or print-ready files with dielines.
Target delivery timing and whether this is a launch order, restock or repeat run.
What affects lead time
We prefer explaining the variables instead of giving blanket promises.
Product type, quantity, print coverage and whether the route uses standard or bespoke dimensions.
How quickly artwork, proofs and final approvals are supplied back.
Whether samples, multiple SKUs or mixed delivery timing are part of the brief.
Which production route best fits the order once MOQ, timing and finish are confirmed.
Sample, delivery and approval assurance
How we keep the order path defensible before and after sign-off.
We confirm the production and delivery plan before order approval rather than relying on blanket lead-time promises.
Digital proofs are checked before production starts, and repeat orders can follow the saved approved spec.
Samples or material checks can be discussed before a full production run where that makes sense for the category.
Delivery tracking and order-stage updates are shared once the job is in motion.
Product details
Custom-printed paper cups are the single most visible piece of packaging in any coffee shop, takeaway or event bar — every cup carried out of the door is a moving billboard for your brand. Our paper cups are produced from food-grade virgin board with a thin PE or PLA lining so they stay rigid with hot drinks for the full sit-down or commute.
We print every cup in-house with your logo and artwork using offset litho for vivid full-colour prints or flexographic printing for cost-effective 1–4 colour runs. Whether you need a few thousand for a coffee bar launch or a quarterly run for a national chain, we match the print, board weight and lid compatibility to your machine and serving style.
Single-wall, double-wall and ripple-wall constructions
Food-safe PE or PLA-lined virgin paperboard (260–340 gsm)
Full-bleed CMYK print or up to 4 spot Pantone colours
Compatible with standard sip-through and CPLA hot lids
Stackable, dispenser-friendly rim for fast service
Lead time 4–6 weeks from artwork approval
Materials
Single-wall PE
Light, economical — best for short hot drinks served quickly
Double-wall PE
Insulated for hot drinks served to-go without a sleeve
Ripple-wall
Premium grip and insulation with a textured outer
PLA-lined (compostable)
Plant-based lining for industrial composting
Print options
Offset CMYK + spot
Photographic quality, gradients, fine detail
Flexographic 1–4 colours
Bold solid colours, cost-effective at volume
Matt or gloss varnish
Optional outer coating for premium feel
Typical sizes
These are common starting points. Exact options depend on the final route and approved spec.
4 oz / 100 ml
Espresso
8 oz / 240 ml
Cappuccino, flat white
12 oz / 350 ml
Latte, hot chocolate
16 oz / 450 ml
Large latte, tea
20 oz / 550 ml
Extra-large hot drinks
FAQ
Which lids fit your cups?
Our 8 / 12 / 16 oz cups share a standard 90 mm rim and accept any off-the-shelf sip-through or CPLA hot lid. We can supply matching lids alongside your order.
What is the minimum order?
1,000 units per size and design. Mix sizes to hit volume discounts on the same artwork.
How long until I receive my cups?
Typically 4–6 weeks from artwork sign-off, including a free pre-production proof. Express slots are sometimes available — ask when you quote.
Related buying guides
Research paper cups with adjacent blog guides.
These guides give buyers extra context on suitability, ordering checks and packaging decisions before the quote is locked.
Operations
Paper Cup Prices in the UK: The Real Costs Operators Overlook When Ordering Custom Cups
Real pricing breakdown for custom paper cups in the UK. Setup fees, plate charges, delivery, volume discounts, and single-wall vs double-wall cost comparisons. Free design support available.
Operations
Paper Cup Buying Guide for UK Cafes: Low MOQ, Sizes, and How to Order Smart
UK cafe operators: Compare single-wall vs double-wall paper cups, sizes 4oz-16oz, low MOQ options, UK delivery timelines, and FSC-certified materials. Free samples available.
Materials
Double Wall Paper Cups: Plastic-Free vs PE Coating — What UK Cafes Need to Know
PE or aqueous coating? How the UK's 5% non-fibre kerbside threshold changes your cup choice. Real performance tests, costs, and 2026 regulatory timeline for cafe owners.
Ready to quote paper cups?
Send the product type, quantity band, artwork status and target delivery window. We will come back with a defensible route rather than a generic lead-time promise.