Disposable cups are standard in many food service businesses. They allow your customers to take their drinks to go – and also eliminate the need to purchase, store, and wash glasses in your business. That makes disposable cups an ideal choice for many restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and other companies.
When it comes to disposable cups for restaurants and other food/beverage service brands, you have a lot of choices. Your selection will likely come down to factors like cost, the intended use (hot versus cold beverages), and environmental impact. Our full line of custom-printed disposable cups includes everything from stadium cups to clear plastic cups to double-wall coffee cups.
Disposable Design sells high-quality custom-printed promotional products to small to medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. Each of our products can be branded with your company’s name and logo to expand your marketing efforts for pennies on the dollar. Reach out today to talk to a member of our branding team about how we can help your business grow.
Why Should You Use Disposable Cups?
If you run a restaurant or food service business, you have probably contemplated using disposable cups for your drinks. While disposable cups might not be the best choice for sit-down restaurants or fine dining, they are a great option for casual dining and any beverages that are served to-go, such as at a food truck or for take-out orders. There are a lot of benefits to using disposable cups.
Convenience
First, they are simply more convenient than glass or plastic cups. You won’t need to find a place to store glasses or worry about breakage. You also won’t have to spend time and energy washing cups.
Sanitation
Disposable cups are also more hygienic than cups that are washed and used by potentially thousands of people over time. You won’t have to worry that your cups are clean – or invest in a commercial dishwasher if you don’t have the space or budget for it. For customers who are more conscious of germs, disposable cups are a good choice.
Portability
If you serve drinks to go, then disposable cups are a no-brainer. These cups are portable and lightweight and are designed to be thrown away. For any business that sells coffee, bubble tea, or another beverage to go, disposable cups are a must.
Affordability
Disposable cups are affordable and often more cost-effective than purchasing reusable cups. Not only will you not have the upfront investment involved in buying glasses, but you won’t have to spend money replacing broken or chipped cups. You also won’t spend money on cleaning supplies, water, labor, and electricity to clean these cups.
Variety
Finally, disposable cups come in a range of options that are designed to suit your business needs. Whether you need a sturdier cup for hot beverages like coffee and tea or a clear plastic cup to show off a fancy boba tea beverage, there is a cup that can meet your needs. Best of all, these cups can be personalized with your business name and logo – which is an inexpensive way to advertise your business.
Best Disposable Cups
When it comes to disposable cups, there are a lot of options. Below, we break down some of the more popular choices when it comes to disposable cups for your restaurant or cafe.
Clear Plastic Disposable Cups
One of the most popular types of disposable cups is the clear plastic cup. They come in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Clear cups can be made with a variety of different plastics. Our cups are produced with PP and PET plastics.
Clear Plastic Cup Pros
Clear plastic cups are lightweight and easy to use and store. They also tend to be fairly cost-effective, particularly when compared with other types of cups. For example, our 16-ounce custom clear plastic cups start at 14 cents per cup.
These cups are also visually appealing. If you want people to see the beverage that you’re serving – such as an iced coffee with caramel swirled around the sides – it’s a perfect vessel. It is also great for printing your name and logo onto the cup, allowing your branding to shine.
Clear Plastic Cup Cons
Of course, there are downsides to clear plastic cups. The clear plastic is thinner than the plastic used for stadium cups. Therefore, it transfers more heat and could potentially burn hands if used for hot liquids. The cups may also leach chemicals when exposed to higher levels of heat. Clear plastic cups are really designed for cold beverages and can only be used for cold beverages.
Stadium Cups
For cold beverages, another great choice is the plastic stadium cup. These cups come in a variety of sizes and are often a solid color. This can help to make your name and logo pop when you choose to add custom branding to your stadium cups (a great way to advertise).
Stadium Cup Pros
Because stadium cups are made of a thicker, more durable plastic than standard plastic cups, they are reusable. This means that your customers will often keep them around their house – so that your messaging will continue to be present long after they leave your event or establishment.
Stadium cups typically cost more than clear plastic disposable cups, but are still affordable. A 16-ounce custom plastic stadium cup can cost as little as 29 cents per cup or less. This makes it possible to advertise your event or business for relatively low cost.
Stadium Cup Cons
The main disadvantage for stadium cups would be price. They are pricier than other types of cups. While they can be reused, there is a chance that your customers will throw them away once they leave your restaurant or event. There may also be some eco-friendliness concerns as well, given that people may not realize that these cups can be recycled (though they’re often not recyclable through most residential programs).
Ripple Cups
Custom ripple cups are a top choice for hot beverages like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. These cups are made by adding an outer layer of corrugated cardboard to a standard paper cup, which creates a cushion of air.
Ripple Cup Pros
The ripples of a ripple cup provide insulation, keeping hot drinks hot for longer – and eliminating the need for a coffee sleeve. They are also a fun, easy-to-grip surface – which reduces the risk of accidents.
You can easily print on ripple cups, and your design will look great on the cardboard surface. They are also cost-effective, coming in at as little as 21 cents per cup for a 16-ounce custom ripple cup. Because you won’t have to buy coffee sleeves, they may ultimately save you even more money.
Ripple Cup Cons
The more complex surface of a ripple cup does come at a cost. Because ripple cups are thicker than most coffee cups, they tend to be a bit more expensive. Keep in mind when assessing cost that you do save money not having to buy coffee sleeves, so ripple cups can still be a cost-effective option.
Double Wall Paper Coffee Cups
Another great choice for hot beverages are double wall paper coffee cups. These cups are made from two layers of paper with a thin cushion of air between them.
Double Wall Paper Cup Pros
As with ripple cups, the air between walls provides some insulation. This keeps hot beverages warm for longer and may eliminate the need for coffee sleeves.
Double wall coffee cups allow for more comfortable handling of hot beverages. They are also sturdy and easy to print on so that your cafe or restaurant can advertise for pennies on the dollar. A 16-ounce custom double wall paper cup may cost as little as 24 cents per cup.
Double Wall Paper Cup Cons
There are some cons to using these cups. They are more expensive than some other types of disposable coffee cups. The cups are also heavier than single wall cups. Some recycling fasciitis may not accept double wall paper cups due to the thin PE lining in the cups.
Single Wall Paper Cups
Custom paper cups are a great low cost option for disposable cups. They are made of paper and then coated with a thin plastic lining to make the cups moisture resistant. These cups can be double lined for cold drinks or single lined for hot drinks.
Single Wall Paper Cup Pros
Paper cups are recyclable and can be used for both hot or cold beverages. This makes them a versatile choice for businesses. They can also very easily be printed with a restaurant name and logo to expand your advertising efforts.
Paper cups are low-cost. For example, a custom 16-ounce paper cup may cost as little as 15 cents per cup. This is often much less expensive than other cup options for hot drinks.
Single Wall Paper Cup Cons
However, paper cups aren’t as sturdy as other disposable cup options. Over time, liquid may be absorbed into the cup itself, causing it to deform or deteriorate. Like double wall paper cups, some recycling facilities also won’t accept single wall paper cups due to the thin PE lining.
Biodegradable Cups
Biodegradable, or compostable cups, are made from a special type of plastic that will break down over time. Biodegradable cups are often favored by businesses seeking to build a sustainable brand.
Biodegradable Cup Pros
Because they are compostable, these cups are much more environmentally-friendly compared to many other disposable cups. Using these cups can reduce landfill waste and lessen your business’s carbon footprint.
Biodegradable cups are also affordable. They cost the same as regular paper cups – as little as 15 cents per 16-ounce custom compostable cup. They can also be printed with your business name and logo. These cups can withstand both hot and cold temperatures for beverages.
Biodegradable Cup Cons
While these cups are compostable, they may only break down in certain conditions. This can mean that they aren’t biodegradable in all areas, depending on the facilities available. A home compost set up won’t typically generate enough heat to break down these cups. The cups also can only be composted. They won’t be accepted by recycling programs.
Get Help Choosing The Best Cups For Your Business
Disposable cups simply make sense for many food service businesses given the cost, convenience, and the type of business that they operate. These cups are generally inexpensive and can be custom-printed with your restaurant’s name and logo. Our full line of disposable cups makes it easy for you to pick a product that meets your needs.
Based in Michigan, Disposable Design works with independently owned and operated businesses to help them get the branded products that they need at a fair price. Using custom disposable cups can help you increase your marketing efforts for little added cost. If you need custom plastic cups, custom coffee sleeves, custom napkins, or another product, we are here to help.
To learn more about our products or to speak to a member of our branding team, fill out our online contact form or hit the live chat button at the bottom of the screen.
