A branded cup is the part of your business that travels furthest: it leaves the counter in your customer's hand and stays visible on the street, in the office and on social media. If you are ordering custom printed cups for the first time, the same questions come up every time. How many do I need to order? What decides the price? Which files should I send? This guide answers all of them before you request a quote.
Plain cups versus printed cups
Plain (unprinted) cups in white or kraft come from stock. That keeps the minimum order low: five cartons. Carton quantities depend on the size; the 8 oz hot cup comes 1,000 to a carton, the 4 oz 3,000.
Printed cups are produced specifically for you with your design. The press has to be set up, colours matched and a printing plate made. Spread over a small run, those set-up costs push the unit price up sharply, which is why custom printing has a minimum quantity.
Minimum order quantities for printed cups
At Velox Pack the printed minimum depends on the product:
| Product | Plain minimum | Printed minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Single-wall hot paper cup | 5 cartons (5,000–15,000 pcs) | From 25,000 pcs |
| Cold paper cup | 5 cartons (3,000–10,000 pcs) | From 25,000 pcs |
| 95 mm PET cup | 5 cartons (5,000 pcs) | From 10,000 pcs |
The exact minimum for your order is confirmed in the quote, based on size and print details.
Is 25,000 cups a lot?
Work it out from your daily sales. A café using 150 cups a day goes through about 4,500 cups a month, so 25,000 cups cover roughly five to six months. For multi-site operators or takeaway-heavy businesses, that period is much shorter.
If your volume is still low, two approaches work well:
- Start with plain cups plus a sticker or stamp you apply yourself, and move to printed cups once volumes are clear.
- Print only your best-selling size and keep the other sizes plain.
What drives the price of printed cups
There is no single list price for printed cups, because the price depends on several variables:
- Quantity. Set-up costs are spread across the run, so the unit price falls as quantity rises.
- Cup size and board weight. A 16 oz cup uses more board than an 8 oz cup.
- Number of colours and print area. A one-colour logo and a full-wrap multi-colour design are not priced the same.
- Printing plate. A printing plate fee applies to printed items. How repeat orders of the same design are handled is stated in the quote.
- Delivery. Destination and shipping method are added to the total.
Each product page shows an estimated price range; the exact price follows in a quote once we have reviewed your requirements. Prices exclude VAT.
The ordering process, step by step
1. Choose products and sizes
Decide which cups you want printed: hot or cold, and which sizes. Our paper cup sizes guide helps with the size decision.
2. Request a quote
In the quote form, list the product, sizes, approximate quantities and your print idea (number of colours, logo). The more detail you share, the more precise the quote.
3. Send your artwork
We accept PDF, AI, SVG, PNG or JPG files. Vector files (SVG, PDF, AI) give the cleanest print. A low-resolution PNG can print blurred. Our design tips for logo printing on packaging cover what to check before you send the file.
4. Proof and approval
We prepare a print proof showing how your design sits on the cup. You review and approve it. Production does not start without your approval.
5. Production and shipping
Cups are produced with the approved print, packed in cartons and shipped. You can track each step in your customer area.
What to include in your quote request
- Product and size, for example "8 oz and 12 oz hot cups".
- Approximate quantity per size.
- Print details: logo file, number of colours and Pantone references if you have them.
- Lids: say so if you need matching lids.
- Delivery address: city and delivery point.
- Timing: when you need the cups (opening, campaign, season start).
Even if your logo is not final yet, you can still request a quote; we can prepare an initial price based on sizes and quantities.
Common first-order mistakes
- Not checking lid fit. The cup rim and lid diameter must match. Our 12 oz cups have an 80 mm rim, our 14 oz cups a 90 mm rim.
- Placing the logo on the seam. A paper cup is made by wrapping a flat blank, which leaves a vertical seam. Keep key elements away from it.
- Trusting screen colours. Colours on screen can look different on board. If your brand colour matters, share the Pantone reference.
- Printing every size at once. If you are just starting out, beginning with your best seller reduces stock risk.
Who orders branded cups?
Branded cups make the biggest difference where takeaway sales are high: cafés, coffee brands, hotels and event and catering businesses. The cup keeps carrying your brand after it leaves the premises.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom printed paper cups?
Printed paper cups start from 25,000 pieces. Printed PET cups start from 10,000 pieces. The exact minimum is confirmed in the quote based on size and print details.
What is the printing plate fee?
Printed items carry a one-off printing plate fee for preparing your specific design for print. The amount is shown separately in the quote.
Which file format should I send?
PDF, AI, SVG, PNG or JPG. Vector formats (SVG, PDF, AI) are recommended for the best result.
Can I see how the print will look before production?
Yes. We prepare a print proof before production and send it for your approval. Nothing is produced until you approve it.
Can I start with plain cups and switch to printed later?
Yes. Plain products start at five cartons, and you can move to printed cups once your volumes are clear.
Do prices include VAT?
No. All prices exclude VAT. Product pages show an estimated price range; the exact price is confirmed in a quote.
Get a quote for branded cups
Share the cup sizes, approximate quantities and your logo, and we will prepare a clear quote including the printing plate fee. Request a quote, or send your questions to info@veloxpack.com or +90 532 267 16 26. All cup options are in the cups category.
