Cups with Custom Printing

Kraft Paper Cups for Coffee with Printing

Ecological kraft cups in natural brown color are the most popular choice for modern cafés, bistros and eco-friendly events. Made from recycled paper with thin PE layer inside for water resistance, kraft cups are partially recyclable and visually communicate the ecological approach of your brand. We offer them in capacities from 100 ml (espresso) through 200 ml (cappuccino) and 350 ml (latte) to 450 ml (iced coffees). Natural brown color of cups creates authentic, artisan look that resonates with third wave coffee culture trends.

Printing on kraft cups is done by flexography – fast printing method ideal for large quantities with durable result against condensation and moisture. Logo or design is printed in 1–3 colors (most often black, white, green for eco context). Kraft cups are suitable for hot beverages up to 90°C and keep heat for 10–15 minutes (single-walled) or 20–30 minutes (double-walled with air-gap insulation). We recommend them for cafés with eco concept, organic shops, farmers markets, zero waste events or festivals with ecological focus. For complete take-away set combine with ecological accessories.

White Paper Cups with Full-Color Printing

White paper cups are classic and universal choice for printing – smooth white surface allows full-color flexo printing with high contrast and color saturation. We offer them as single-walled cups (economical variant with thin wall, suitable with insulating paper sleeve) or double-walled cups with air-gap insulation (double wall with gap prevents burning hands and keeps heat longer). White cups are suitable for hot beverages 80–95°C – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, mulled wine.

Flexo printing on white cups allows up to 4-color printing in precisely defined Pantone colors – ideal for exact compliance with corporate colors and complex logos. You can choose printing on one side (logo + name), both sides (logo + contact) or 360° wrap design around entire cup circumference with repeating pattern. White cups are most popular for corporate offices (coffee points for employees and visitors), shopping centers, trade shows and conferences, corporate events, or as standard cups for cafés with traditional design. For complete set combine with corporate textiles.

Plastic Cups for Cold Beverages

Plastic cups with printing are ideal for cold beverages, refreshing drinks, smoothies, cocktails, iced coffees (frappé, cold brew), milkshakes or soft drinks. Made from PET or PP plastic, they are transparent and show color and layers of beverage, which increases visual attractiveness of product – important for instagrammable drinks and marketing through social media. We offer them in capacities 250 ml (juice, cocktails), 400 ml (smoothies, iced coffee) and 500 ml (milkshakes, frappe).

Printing on transparent plastic cups is done by flexography or UV printing – logo is usually placed in upper third of cup to remain visible even after filling with beverage. Plastic cups are resistant to condensation, don't get soggy and last several hours without deformation even with ice. Popular for juice bars, smoothie cafés, bubble tea shops, festivals and outdoor events (resistant to breaking), beach bars, or sports events. For sustainability we also offer PLA bio-cups from corn starch – compostable in industrial composting facilities. Combine with other promotional products for bars and cafés.

Corporate Cups for Offices and Events

Corporate cups with logo are effective form of internal and external promotion – every employee and visitor sees your brand with every coffee. Printed cups are suitable as office cups at coffee points (replacement of generic cups, space branding), event cups at conferences (participants take coffee with event brand), festival cups (thousands of logo contacts in one weekend), trade show cups (booth visitors), or event cups for corporate team buildings, celebrations, workshops.

For cafés and coffee shops cups with custom design are key branding tool – customer carries your brand to streets and creates walking billboard effect. We recommend combination of kraft cups with minimalist black logo for modern third wave cafés, or white cups with colorful playful design for family cafés. Personalized cups with venue name increase brand awareness and spread through social media when customers photograph coffee with your logo. For complete café set combine cups with printed napkins and paper bags.

Paper vs Plastic Cups – What to Choose?

Paper cups are better choice for hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) – they insulate heat and protect hands from burning, especially double-walled variants. Advantage is ecological image (kraft cups communicate sustainability), recyclability of paper component (PE coating makes recycling harder, but is better than pure plastic), and authentic look for specialty coffee and craft products. Disadvantage is higher price than plastic cups, need for storage in dry place (can get damp), and more limited color range of flexo printing (1–4 colors).

Plastic cups are ideal for cold beverages (iced coffee, smoothies, cocktails, soft drinks) – transparency shows color and layers of beverage, which is important for visual marketing. Advantage is lower price, resistance to condensation and soaking, possibility of long-term storage without degradation, and content visibility. Disadvantage is worse ecological image (although PLA bio-cups are compostable), unsuitability for hot beverages (deformation, burn risk), and dependence on fossil fuels (traditional PET/PP). Recommendation: Paper kraft cups for eco-conscious cafés with hot beverages, plastic cups for juice/smoothie bars and festivals with cold drinks. For all-season solution combine both types according to season.

Cup Sizes and Usage

100–150 ml cups are smallest format suitable for espresso (single/double shot), macchiato, ristretto, or tasting samples at trade shows and food festivals. This size fits Italian cafés with authentic espresso bar or as tester cups for events. 200–250 ml cups are medium format ideal for cappuccino, flat white, cortado, small coffee, or juice. Most popular size for regular cafés and quick service.

350–400 ml cups are large format suitable for latte, americano, large cappuccino, tea, hot chocolate, or cold beverages. Popular size for offices (long portion of coffee for meetings) and take-away format for car. 450–500 ml cups are extra large format for frappé, iced coffees with ice, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, or bubble tea. Largest format for maximum brand visibility and long consumption – ideal for thirsty customers and summer months.

Cup Printing Technologies

Flexographic printing is standard method for printing paper and plastic cups – fast rotary printing technique using flexible rubber cylinders with raised design that transfer fast-drying ink to curved cup surface. Flexo printing allows 1–4 color printing in Pantone colors (precise shades for corporate identity), high production speed (thousands of cups per hour), and durable result against water, condensation and abrasion. Disadvantage is need to create printing cylinders (tooling cost), therefore minimum quantity is usually 500–1000 pieces.

Digital UV printing we use for smaller quantities or photorealistic multi-color designs – printer applies ink directly on cup without need for printing cylinders and immediately cures with UV light. UV printing allows full-color photorealistic printing (ideal for photos, gradients, complex graphics), minimum quantity from 100 pieces (test series), and flexible design changes without additional costs for cylinder production. Disadvantage is higher price per piece than flexo printing and slower production. We recommend UV printing for test series before large quantity, event cups with unique design, or seasonal limited editions.

Order and Express Production

Minimum order is 500 pieces for most paper cups with flexo printing – economically advantageous for cafés, coffee shops, festivals or corporate events with regular consumption. For digital UV printing minimum is 100 pieces. For large orders (5000+, 10000+, 50000+ pieces) we offer favorable wholesale prices and possibility to produce cups in exactly required size, paper color or custom shape. Standard production time is 10–12 business days from approval of graphic preview and production of printing cylinders.

Express cup printing in 5 days is possible for selected kraft and white cup models with already produced printing cylinders with 40% surcharge – ideal for urgent events, café grand opening or stock replenishment before festival. Ordering is simple: select cup type, size and quantity, send logo (formats AI, EPS, PDF with vectors or PNG minimum 300 DPI), specify colors (Pantone codes or RGB) and we prepare graphic preview of print layout on cup for approval. Our graphic designer optimizes files for free – converts to flexo printing format, adjusts colors for exact Pantone match, creates layout on curved cup surface (30 minutes work free). After your approval we produce printing cylinders and start production. We pack cups in batches of 50 pcs in plastic bags in cardboard boxes. Contact: +420 730 900 100 or obchod@taeda.cz.

Frequently Asked Questions about Printed Cups:

How many cups do I have to order minimum?

Minimum order is 500 pieces for paper cups with flexo printing (kraft, white single and double-walled). For digital UV printing minimum is 100 pieces – suitable for test series or smaller events. For very large orders over 10,000 pieces we can individually assess special B2B prices and custom sizes.

What files do you need for cup printing?

We accept formats AI, EPS, PDF with vectors, or PNG/JPG minimum 300 DPI. For flexo printing we recommend vector logos (Illustrator, CorelDraw) and color specification in Pantone codes for precise corporate colors. If you don't have vector logo or Pantone codes, our graphic designer converts logo to vector and finds closest Pantone match free within 30 minutes of artwork preparation. Before production we always send digital preview of print layout on cup including color proof.

Does cup printing withstand hot coffee and condensation?

Yes! Flexo printing inks are formulated for resistance to hot water up to 95°C, condensation, moisture and abrasion during handling. Print on paper cups lasts entire usage time without fading or smudging even when in contact with wet hands. For plastic cups print is resistant to cold condensation and iced beverages.

How long does cup production take?

Standard time: 10–12 business days from approval of graphic preview (includes printing cylinder production 3–4 days + printing 5–7 days). Express production: 5 business days for selected models with already produced cylinders with 40% surcharge. For quantities over 10,000 pieces or custom shapes 3–4 weeks. Shipping in Czech Republic 1–2 days, to Slovakia 2–3 days.

Can I see cup sample before large order?

Yes! We send blank cup without printing free or for symbolic shipping cost to verify size, wall thickness and material quality. For orders over 1000 pieces we can produce test batch of 50–100 pcs with your print at digital UV printing price as physical proof – suitable for color and design verification before series flexo production.

Are kraft cups really ecological?

Kraft cups are more ecological than regular white cups because they are made from recycled paper and don't require chlorine bleaching. Thin PE coating inside (waterproof layer) however makes recycling harder – some recycling lines can separate it, others can't. Most ecological option are compostable cups from PLA bioplastic or cups with aqueous coating instead of PE (aqueous coating), which are fully recyclable. For maximum sustainability we recommend compostable cups or recycling program for used cups.

Can you print photos or full-color graphics on cups?

Yes, but with limitations. Flexo printing supports 1–4 Pantone colors (no smooth gradients or photos) – suitable for logos, texts, simple icons and graphics. For photorealistic designs, color gradients or complex illustrations we use digital UV printing which allows full CMYK spectrum. UV printing however has higher price per piece and is more suitable for smaller quantities or special event cups.