From the outside, hot and cold paper cups look almost identical. The difference lies in how the board is coated and which conditions the cup is designed for. Choose the wrong one and you end up with a soggy cup under an iced latte, or a cup that feels uncomfortable in the hand with a hot drink. This article compares the two types and helps you decide which your business needs.
How a paper cup is made
A paper cup is made from paperboard coated with a thin plastic layer, usually PE (polyethylene). Board on its own absorbs liquid; the PE layer stops liquid from soaking into the board and allows the seams to be heat-sealed.
Product pages describe this structure with codes such as "260+18PE" or "12PE+260+15PE":
- 260: the board weight in g/m².
- 18PE: the amount of PE coating on one side of the board.
- 12PE+260+15PE: both sides of the board are PE-coated.
Hot cups: PE on the inside
Our hot paper cups are single-wall and PE-coated on the inside only. The outside is the board itself. This structure:
- keeps hot liquid from soaking into the board from the inside,
- leaves a matte board surface on the outside that takes print well,
- is the standard solution for coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Hot cup sizes and structures in our catalogue:
| Size | Structure | Pieces per carton |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | 187+18PE | 3,000 |
| 7 oz | 195+15PE | 3,000 |
| 8 oz | 260+18PE | 1,000 |
| 12 oz (80 mm) | 240+18PE | 2,000 |
| 14 oz (90 mm) | 300+18PE | 1,000 |
| 16 oz | 300+18PE | 1,000 |
| 22 oz | 300+18PE | 1,000 |
Heat in the hand
With very hot drinks, a single-wall cup can feel hot to hold. The industry usually solves this in one of two ways: a double-wall cup, which adds a second board layer with an insulating gap, or a cardboard sleeve slipped over the cup. Our hot cups are single-wall; if heat insulation matters for your menu, mention it in your quote request and we will look at the options with you.
Cold cups: PE on both sides
Our cold paper cups are PE-coated on both the inside and the outside. The reason is condensation.
An iced drink chills the outside of the cup. Moisture in the air condenses into droplets on that cold surface. Uncoated board slowly absorbs that water and softens. The outer PE layer keeps the water out of the board.
| Size | Structure | Pieces per carton |
|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | 12PE+260+15PE | 1,000 |
| 12 oz (80 mm) | 12PE+232+15PE | 2,000 |
| 14 oz (90 mm) | 12PE+260+15PE | 1,000 |
| 16 oz | 12PE+260+15PE | 1,000 |
| 22 oz | 12PE+260+15PE | 1,000 |
| 32 oz | 12PE+260+15PE | 600 |
Cold cups go up to 32 oz, sizes used for iced coffee, lemonade, iced tea and smoothies, where ice takes up a share of the volume.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Hot paper cup | Cold paper cup |
|---|---|---|
| PE coating | Inside only | Inside and outside |
| Sizes in our catalogue | 4–22 oz | 8–32 oz |
| Typical drinks | Coffee, tea, hot chocolate | Iced coffee, lemonade, smoothies |
| Condensation | Outside uncoated | Outside coated |
| Lids | Lid matching the rim diameter | Cold cup lids, 8–32 oz |
| Custom print | Yes, from 25,000 pcs | Yes, from 25,000 pcs |
Choosing lids
For cold drinks, our cold cup lids are listed for 8, 12, 14, 16, 22 and 32 oz. The 32 oz lid comes 800 to a carton, all other sizes 2,000. Picking cup and lid in the same size is the first step, but cups with the same oz value can have different rim diameters, so check the diameter on the product page. All lid options are in the lids category.
When you want the drink to show: PET cups
If the colour and layers of the drink matter (layered iced lattes, fruit drinks), a clear PET cup can be a better fit than board. Our catalogue includes 95 mm rim Eco (8–18 oz), Original (12–18 oz) and U-shape (10–18 oz) PET cups with matching flat and dome lids. Printed PET cups start from 10,000 pieces. You can browse them in the cups category.
Keeping your range lean
If you serve both hot and cold drinks, you need two cup families. To keep the number of items under control:
- Pick two or three hot cup sizes (for example 8, 12 and 16 oz).
- Pick one or two cold cup sizes that carry most of the cold menu (for example 16 and 22 oz).
- Prefer sizes that share a rim diameter to reduce lid variety.
- Track sales for a few weeks and consider dropping the slowest size.
Recommendations by business type
- Coffee-led café: hot cups in 8, 12 and 16 oz, plus a 16 oz cold cup for the iced menu. See cafés.
- Bars and clubs: cold cups in 12–22 oz, or PET cups. See bars and clubs.
- Takeaway and delivery: lid fit is critical, so order cups and lids together. See takeaway and delivery.
- Events: planning one mid size (12 oz) for both hot and cold drinks keeps stock simple. See events and catering.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve iced drinks in a hot cup?
For quick consumption it is possible, but uncoated board absorbs condensation over time. Cold cups, PE-coated on both sides, are better suited to iced drinks.
Can I serve hot drinks in a cold cup?
Cold cups are designed for cold use and their lids are chosen accordingly. For hot drinks we recommend hot cups with matching lids.
What is PE coating?
PE (polyethylene) is a thin plastic layer applied to the surface of the board. It stops liquid from soaking into the board and allows the cup seams to be sealed.
Can cold cups be custom printed?
Yes. Cold paper cups can be printed with your logo; printed orders start from 25,000 pieces and a printing plate fee applies. See our custom printed paper cups guide.
What is the largest cold paper cup?
The largest cold paper cup in our catalogue is 32 oz (about 946 ml), packed 600 to a carton. For more conversions, see our paper cup sizes guide.
Ask us about the right cup
Share your menu and your split between hot and cold drinks, and we will suggest the right cup and lid combination. Request a quote or write to info@veloxpack.com. Phone: +90 532 267 16 26.
