When it comes to custom branded drinkware, one of the most common questions businesses ask is: should I go with clear cups or paper cups? The answer depends on what you're serving, how you want your brand to look, and the experience you want to create for your customers. Let's break down the key differences to help you choose the right option.
Custom Clear Cups: Best for Cold Beverages
Clear cups are the go-to choice for cold drinks. Made from durable PET plastic, they showcase the beverage inside — making them perfect for iced coffee, smoothies, bubble tea, lemonade, and frozen drinks. Your customers can see the vibrant colors and layers of their drinks, which enhances the visual appeal and encourages social media sharing.
Key benefits of custom clear cups:
- Full visibility of the drink — great for layered and colorful beverages
- Durable and crack-resistant PET material
- Custom full-color printing wraps around the entire cup
- Available in multiple sizes: 10oz, 12oz, 16oz, 20oz, and 24oz
- Ideal for juice bars, smoothie shops, boba tea, and fast-casual restaurants
Custom Paper Cups: Best for Hot Beverages
Paper cups are the classic choice for hot drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and espresso-based beverages. They provide excellent insulation (especially double wall varieties), and they give your brand a warm, artisanal feel that customers love. Custom paper cups are a staple for coffee shops, bakeries, and breakfast restaurants.
Key benefits of custom paper cups:
- Excellent heat insulation — safe and comfortable to hold
- Professional, premium look and feel
- Available in single wall and double wall options
- Full-color digital printing with no color limitations
- Available in 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz sizes
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Clear Cups | Paper Cups |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cold beverages | Hot beverages |
| Material | PET plastic | Paper with PE lining |
| Drink visibility | Full transparency | Not visible |
| Insulation | Standard | Excellent (double wall) |
| Custom printing | Full-color wrap | Full-color wrap |
| Sizes available | 10oz–24oz | 8oz–20oz |
Why Not Both?
Many of our customers order both clear cups and paper cups to cover their full menu. With consistent branding across both cup types, you create a cohesive brand experience whether a customer orders an iced latte or a hot americano.
Ready to Order?
Whether you choose clear cups, paper cups, or both, CustomPaperCup.com delivers high-quality custom printing with fast turnaround and low minimum orders.