Black Paper Cups
Solid black bodies, usually matt, for a strong counter presence.
Specification & quote
Coloured Paper Cups
Coloured Paper Cups
A solid colour body reads as a brand decision from across a room, which a small logo on white does not. That is what people are buying when they order coloured cups.
Colour on a cup is printed rather than dyed, and that governs both the cost and how close a match you can hold.
- Cut to your own product, not a stock size
- Board, print and finish confirmed in writing
- Delivered across the UK on national carriers
Short enquiry
Quote for This Product
Tell us the quantity and any date you are working to. We reply with the board, print and finish, plus the minimum order quantity and lead time.
Design Your Own
Design Your Coloured Paper Cups
Pick a colour, put your name on it, and see how the idea reads before you ask anyone for a price. It is a sketch rather than a manufacturing proof — the real shape is cut from the product you already serve.
Sleeve colour
Finish
A printed sleeve brands a plain cup you already buy, which is why a single site usually reaches for one before it reaches for a printed cup.
Carry this into the full designerThe full page adds the size, board, print and quantity, then sends the whole specification over in one go. Nothing is committed to at any point.
Full Coverage Is Ink, and Ink Is the Cost
A coloured cup is a white cup with colour printed across it. That means ink over the entire printable area rather than the few per cent a logo uses.
It also means an unprinted margin at the rim and the seam, which is unavoidable on every printed cup and shows as a thin light line at the top.
Each colour has its own considerations, set out across individual colours and how each behaves in print.
Holding a Brand Colour
- Supply a Pantone reference rather than a hex code or a screenshot.
- Spot colours hold far better across a long run than the same colour built from CMYK.
- Large flat areas show variation that a small logo would hide.
- Ask for a printed sample where the colour is one customers would notice.
On kraft board, expect a shift — an accurate match needs white board or a white underbase.
Ordering, Artwork and Delivery
Getting a Quote
Tell us the volume you pour and whether you need matching lids. We reply with a written specification, the minimum order quantity and the lead time for your job.
Artwork
Cup blanks are a curved fan, so we supply a template to design on. Full file requirements are set out in our artwork guidelines.
Turnaround
Lead times depend on the print method, run length and press schedule, so we confirm yours on the quote rather than publishing a single figure.
Delivery in the UK
Orders are dispatched on national carriers to any UK address. Seedelivery information for how dates are given.
Coloured Paper Cups: Common Questions
Why is there an unprinted line at the rim?
The rim is rolled to form the cup, and a printed edge would crack and flake when it is rolled. Every printed cup has this margin regardless of supplier, and it is more visible on dark colours.
Can the inside of the cup be coloured?
The inside is the food-contact surface and is normally left unprinted. Where an inside print is wanted, the ink system has to be specified for contact, which we would confirm rather than assume.
Can the inside be coloured?
The inside is the food-contact surface and is normally left unprinted. An inside print needs an ink system specified for contact.
Why does full coverage cost more?
Because ink covers the whole printable area rather than the few per cent a logo uses. That is the main cost difference against a white cup.
How close can you match a brand colour?
Very close with a spot ink and a Pantone reference. A colour built from process inks drifts more across a long run.
Why does the same colour vary between sizes?
Different sizes can run on different presses or board batches, and a large flat area shows variation a small logo hides.
Can we mix colours in one order?
On digital printing, yes. Send the split between colours rather than a total so it is priced properly.
Does colour affect how the cup performs?
No. Colour is print on the outside; the lining and wall construction determine how the cup behaves with a drink.
What should we send our designer?
A Pantone reference rather than a hex code or a screenshot, and our die template so the artwork is built on the right shape.
Can we order a colour we do not see listed?
Yes. Colour is printed rather than stocked, so any Pantone reference can be matched subject to the print method.
Prefer to Talk It Through?
Sizing questions are usually quicker on the phone, especially if you have the product in front of you.
