Single Wall Paper Cups
Lowest cost per cup and the sharpest print surface, paired with a sleeve.
Specification & quote
Coffee Cups
Disposable Hot Cups
A hot cup is defined by its lining and its wall, not by its shape. Get either wrong and the cup either leaks or is too hot to hold.
This page covers the specification rather than a particular size, for buyers who know they need hot cups and want to get the construction right.
- 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 Disposable Hot 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.
Single Wall, Double Wall and Ripple
| Single wall | Double or ripple wall | |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Needs a sleeve above 8oz | Comfortable without one |
| Cost per cup | Lower | Higher |
| Total cost with sleeve | Often close to double wall | One item, one cost |
| Storage | More cups per box | Bulkier |
| Smooth surface, sharp detail | Ripple texture softens fine detail |
Compare the single-wall-plus-sleeve total against double wall before assuming single wall is cheaper.
The Lining Is What Makes It a Hot Cup
Board on its own goes soft against a hot liquid within minutes. The lining is the barrier, and it has to tolerate the temperature the drink is served at.
This is where wax-lined cups fail — the coating softens with heat, which is why they belong on cold service only.
The contrast is set out on wax-lined cups and why they suit cold service.
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.
Disposable Hot Cups: Common Questions
Is single wall plus a sleeve cheaper than double wall?
Less often than people assume. Once you count both items and the extra handling at service, the totals are frequently close, and double wall removes a stock line.
What temperature can a hot cup handle?
Standard hot drink service is well within what a properly lined cup handles. If your application involves higher or sustained heat, tell us and we will confirm a suitable specification rather than assume.
Is single wall plus a sleeve cheaper?
Less often than assumed. Counting both items and the extra handling, the totals are frequently close to double wall.
Why do wax cups fail with hot drinks?
The coating softens with heat and transfers onto the drink. It is a cold and ambient material rather than a hot one.
What is ripple wall?
An outer layer with a fluted texture bonded to the cup, giving insulation similar to a sleeve without a separate item.
Does double wall print differently?
The outer surface is slightly textured, which softens fine detail. Single wall holds small type more cleanly.
How much storage does double wall need?
Noticeably more per thousand, because each cup is thicker. Worth checking against your store room before switching.
Do these need lids?
Only if drinks leave the building. Where they do, match the lid to the rim rather than the stated volume.
Can we mix wall types across sizes?
Yes, and some sites do — single wall with a sleeve on small drinks, double wall on large. Tell us the split.
Do you supply matching lids?
Yes, matched by rim diameter rather than volume. Ordering cups and lids together avoids the commonest fitting problem.
Prefer to Talk It Through?
Sizing questions are usually quicker on the phone, especially if you have the product in front of you.
