Beverage Sleeves

Cardboard Beverage Sleeves

Flat cardboard sleeves do less insulating than corrugated ones and print considerably better. Where a cup is already double-walled, or the drink is cold, that trade is worth making.

The smooth surface holds small type and fine detail that a fluted board cannot.

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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 Custom Cardboard Beverage Sleeves

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

Name on the pack

Finish

Show a repeating pattern

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 designer

The 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.

Flat Board Against Corrugated

	Flat board	Corrugated
Print detail	Holds fine type and small logos cleanly	Texture softens fine detail
Insulation	Adds grip more than protection	Genuine air-gap insulation
Storage	Very compact	Bulkier per thousand
Cold cups	Good, especially laminated	Absorbs condensation well
Cost	Generally lower	Generally higher

If the cup does the insulating, flat board is the better sleeve.

Where the Smooth Surface Pays Off

Brands with a detailed mark, small legal text, or a QR code get a noticeably better result on flat board.

On corrugated, the flute texture breaks up fine lines and small reversed-out type closes up. It is not a print quality problem so much as a surface one.

Where insulation matters more than detail, corrugated sleeves for very hot drinks are the better choice.

Ordering, Artwork and Delivery

Getting a Quote

Send a cup, or the brand and size code printed on its base. We reply with a written specification, the minimum order quantity and the lead time for your job.

Artwork

Keep key elements clear of the glued seam, which moves between cups. 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.

Custom Cardboard Beverage Sleeves: Common Questions

Is a flat sleeve enough for a hot coffee?

On a double-walled cup, yes. On a single-wall cup with a very hot drink it adds grip rather than real protection, and a corrugated sleeve is more comfortable.

Will a flat sleeve go soft on an iced drink?

It can where condensation is heavy. A laminated outer face stops the print softening and is worth specifying if cold drinks are a large part of your trade.

Is a flat sleeve enough for hot coffee?

On a double-walled cup, yes. On a single-wall cup with a very hot drink it adds grip rather than protection.

Why does flat board print better?

Because the surface is smooth. Corrugated flute texture breaks up fine lines and closes small reversed-out type.

Will a flat sleeve soften on an iced drink?

It can where condensation is heavy. A laminated outer face stops the print softening and is worth specifying for cold trade.

How much storage do these save?

Considerably more compact than corrugated per thousand, which is often the deciding factor in a small café store room.

Can we print small legal text?

This is the construction to use if you need to. Flat board holds small type where corrugated does not.

Do these suit a tea-heavy menu?

Less well than corrugated, because tea goes in near boiling and benefits from a real air gap rather than added grip.

Will they fit any cup?

They are cut to a circumference, so send a cup. Two cups sold as the same volume can differ enough for one sleeve to spin.

Can we match these to our cups?

Yes, and where you also print cups, running both in one order keeps the colour consistent across the pair.

Prefer to Talk It Through?

Sizing questions are usually quicker on the phone, especially if you have the product in front of you.

+44 7458 651107 info@conesleeves.co.uk