A small-capacity paper cup, sized to what it's actually holding, an espresso shot, a sample, a condiment or a measured dose, rather than a generic round number. Orders start from 100 units.

Zero Die
& Plate Costs
High Resolution
Offset Printing
High-End
Screen Print
Digital Printing
Solutions
Quick
Delivery Timing
100 Unit
Minimum Order
Custom
Design & Sizes
Market Competitive
Pricing

A small paper cup covers a genuinely wide range of jobs: an espresso shot, a tasting sample, a sauce or condiment portion, a measured dose in a clinic. Every one of those is “small”, but they’re not the same size, and picking the wrong one here matters far more than the same mistake would on a full-sized drink cup.

Why the exact size matters more at this end of the range

A cup that’s a size too big or too small barely registers on a full-sized drink: the gap between 12oz and 13oz is a small fraction of the total. At the small end, that same one-size gap is a much bigger share of the cup: 3oz to 4oz is a third more volume, not a rounding error. So instead of a fixed small-cup size list, the actual use comes first. Tell us what the cup is holding, an espresso, a rinse dose, a sample pour, and the specification gets built against that rather than a round number that happens to be close.

Construction and finish, once the use is confirmed

Single-layer, double-layer and ripple builds are all offered here, made to the volume you’ve specified. A lining goes on the inside, picked from PE, PLA, aqueous or PP coatings, and a lid can be included if the job needs one. Once that build is settled, its hot-drink suitability, thermal performance and leak resistance get confirmed against it directly. Offset, digital and screen printing all apply. Pantone references and CMYK values can be used to manage colour consistency, subject to normal variation caused by the chosen board, ink, coating and production method.

These cups can hold a drink or liquid directly. Food-contact material suitability is confirmed for the specific material before production. Design support is free. A digital 3D mock-up is free. There are no setup fees. Standard production takes 6 to 8 business days after approval. UK delivery is free.

When this is not the right cup

Paper Coffee Cups With Lids covers a full hot-drink serving built around a lid from the start, a different job from an unlidded shot or sample cup. Picking a colour or printing different content on every cup are separate questions from volume: White Paper Cups and Personalised Paper Cups answer those specifically. Browse Custom Paper Cups for everything else in between.

Box StyleAll Custom Packaging
DimensionAll Custom Sizes & Shapes
Quantities100-unit minimum order
Paper StockKraft, corrugated, rigid board, cardstock
PrintingCMYK, Pantone, digital and offset
FinishingGloss, matte, spot UV, embossing, foiling
ShippingFree delivery options
✦ Finishing Options

Finishing & Material Options

Choose from premium coating, board, printing and finishing options for your insert boxes.

Varnish

Varnish

A transparent finishing layer available in gloss, satin, or matte effects. It enhances the printed surface and adds an extra layer of visual appeal and light protection.

Spot UV

Spot UV

A UV-cured coating applied to specific areas of the design to create gloss or matte contrast and draw attention to important details.

Soft Touch Coating

Soft Touch Coating

A smooth, velvety coating that creates a soft tactile feel and gives packaging a refined luxury look. It improves the unboxing experience and supports a high-end product presentation.

Silk Lamination

Silk Lamination

A soft, smooth lamination with a refined satin-like finish. It gives packaging a premium feel while keeping the surface elegant, subtle, and easy to handle.

Spot Gloss UV

Spot Gloss UV

A high-gloss UV coating applied only to selected design areas to create sharp contrast, highlight logos, and add a premium visual effect without coating the whole surface.

Aqueous Coating

Aqueous Coating

A clear, fast-drying water-based coating that adds a smooth protective layer while maintaining a clean and professional surface finish. It is a practical choice for everyday printed packaging.

Anti-Scratch

Anti-Scratch

A durable protective film that helps reduce visible scratches, scuffs, fingerprints, and daily handling marks. It keeps packaging looking clean, polished, and premium for longer.

White Kraft Paper

White Kraft Paper

A bleached kraft paperboard made from a mix of virgin and recycled pulp, offering a clean white surface for crisp and polished packaging designs.

Uncoated Unbleached Kraft

Uncoated Unbleached Kraft

A natural kraft paperboard without coating, made from virgin and recycled pulp. It provides a raw, organic appearance with sturdy packaging strength.

SBS C2S Paper

SBS C2S Paper

A premium bleached paperboard coated on both sides, designed for excellent print quality, die-cutting, and professional packaging results.

SBS C1S Paper

SBS C1S Paper

A high-quality bleached paperboard coated on one side. It provides a clean printable face with a premium packaging feel.

Printing Paper

Printing Paper

A smooth printable paper stock that supports high-resolution graphics, clean text, and rich color output for refined packaging presentation.

Natural Brown Kraft Paper

Natural Brown Kraft Paper

A natural kraft paperboard made from strong virgin and recycled pulp. It provides an organic, earthy look for sustainable and simple packaging.

Metallic Paper

Metallic Paper

A specialty paperboard with a laminated metallic surface available in gold, silver, and other premium finishes for luxury visual impact.

Holographic Paper

Holographic Paper

A specialty paperboard with a laminated holographic surface that creates a reflective, rainbow-like appearance for eye-catching product packaging.

Fully Recycled CCNB Paper

Fully Recycled CCNB Paper

A recycled duplex paperboard with a white printable surface. It is ideal for economical packaging that still requires clean graphics and brand presentation.

Clay-Coated Kraft Back

Clay-Coated Kraft Back

A kraft board with a smooth clay-coated white face for quality printing and a natural kraft reverse side for a strong, authentic appearance.

Clay Natural Kraft

Clay Natural Kraft

A kraft paperboard with a clay-coated printable top surface and a natural unbleached kraft back. It balances clean branding with a rustic natural look.

CCNB Paper

CCNB Paper

A duplex paperboard made with recycled pulp and a coated white printable surface. It delivers smooth print results for affordable carton packaging.

Black Kraft Paper

Black Kraft Paper

A black-dyed kraft board with a natural paper texture and excellent strength. It creates a bold, premium look for luxury and specialty packaging.

Window Patching

Window Patching

A packaging technique where a die-cut opening is covered with a transparent film, allowing the product inside to remain visible while staying protected.

Registered Embossing

Registered Embossing

An embossing technique where the raised design is precisely aligned with printed artwork to improve detail, texture, and overall presentation.

Hot Foil Stamping

Hot Foil Stamping

A finishing process in which heat and pressure transfer metallic foil to the surface, creating a premium, shiny, and luxurious effect.

Combination Embossing

Combination Embossing

A premium finishing method that combines embossing with foil stamping to create a raised design with metallic color and strong visual impact.

Cold Foil Stamping

Cold Foil Stamping

A decorative process that transfers foil onto selected areas of the surface using UV-curable adhesive, creating a bright metallic effect with sharp detail.

Blind Embossing

Blind Embossing

A technique that raises a design from the surface without ink or foil, giving packaging a clean, elegant, and textured appearance.

Blind Debossing

Blind Debossing

A finishing technique that presses a design into the material to create a recessed impression without using ink or foil. It adds subtle depth and a refined tactile effect.

UV Printing

UV Printing

A fast-curing printing process that uses ultraviolet light to dry ink instantly, delivering sharp detail, vibrant colors, and a premium finish.

Screen Printing

Screen Printing

A durable printing method that uses a mesh screen and stencil to apply ink to surfaces. It is ideal for bold colors and high-impact packaging designs.

Offset Printing

Offset Printing

A traditional high-quality printing process that transfers designs from plates to a rubber blanket before printing, making it ideal for large-volume production.

Digital Printing

Digital Printing

A modern printing method that does not require printing plates, making it cost-effective and efficient for short runs, sample production, and small-batch quantities.

Triple Wall Flute

Triple Wall Flute

Built with three corrugated layers between four linerboard sheets, providing heavy-duty strength for large or industrial packaging needs.

Single Wall Flute

Single Wall Flute

A standard corrugated structure with one fluted medium and two linerboards, providing dependable strength for everyday packaging.

Single Flute

Single Flute

A corrugated sheet with one flute layer between two liners, offering lightweight strength for protective packaging.

F-Flute

F-Flute

An ultra-thin flute grade designed for lightweight packaging, small retail boxes, and high-quality printed presentation.

E-Flute

E-Flute

A slim flute grade with a flatter surface, ideal for detailed printing, display packaging, and premium retail boxes.

Double Wall Flute

Double Wall Flute

Made with two layers of corrugated medium between linerboard sheets, offering added strength and durability for heavier products.

C-Flute

C-Flute

A versatile corrugated flute that offers balanced compression strength, cushioning, and printability for many packaging applications.

B-Flute

B-Flute

A thinner flute grade with a smooth surface, making it suitable for high-quality printing, precise die-cutting, and neat retail packaging.

A-Flute

A-Flute

A thick corrugated flute profile that provides excellent cushioning, compression strength, and stacking support for protective packaging.

Oyster White Board

Oyster White Board

A coated linerboard with an off-white surface, suitable for high-quality printing and a refined packaging appearance.

Natural Kraft Board

Natural Kraft Board

An unbleached kraft linerboard made from recycled paper pulp, offering a natural look with strong durability for eco-conscious packaging.

Kemi White Board

Kemi White Board

A coated semi-gloss linerboard with a smooth white surface, ideal for sharp printing, premium presentation, and retail-ready packaging.

Bleached White Board

Bleached White Board

A fully bleached corrugated board with a bright white surface, designed to produce clean, vibrant, and high-quality printed packaging.

UV Ink

UV Ink

A UV-cured ink that dries instantly under ultraviolet light and creates crisp, high-quality print results on a wide range of packaging materials.

Soy Ink

Soy Ink

A plant-based ink made with soybean oil, offering rich color output and a more sustainable printing option for carton packaging.

Pantone

Pantone

A standardized color-matching system used to achieve consistent, accurate brand colors across packaging, labels, and printed materials.

CMYK

CMYK

A full-color printing process using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to create vibrant images, gradients, and detailed packaging artwork.

Customer reviews

What Customers Say About Our Packaging

Real feedback from customers who trust us with their custom packaging.

Product FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about ordering, artwork, production, materials and delivery.

I actually need two different small sizes, say one for espresso and one for samples. Is that still one order?

Each size counts as its own design against the 100-unit minimum, the same as any other specification change. Name both uses in your enquiry, and the two get quoted and produced as separate line items rather than compromised into one middle size that suits neither.

Can small cups come with lids, or are they normally used without one?

Both exist. A shot, sample or dosing cup is often used without a lid, but a lid can be added where spill risk or carrying matters. If a lid is the main requirement from the start, Paper Coffee Cups With Lids is built around that from the ground up.

What is the minimum order for Small Paper Cups?

Orders start from 100 units. Standard production takes 6 to 8 business days after approval.

Are these cups recyclable?

An unlaminated paperboard construction may be easier to process through suitable paper-recycling streams than a heavily laminated alternative. Final recyclability depends on the full material and finishing specification and the facilities available locally.

What cup sizes can I get?

Sizes run from small espresso cups up to larger takeaway cups. The exact options sit on each product page and are confirmed on your quote, and Small Paper Cups cover the espresso and taster end.

Can I have the cup in my brand colour, not just a logo?

Yes. Print can be a small logo or a full-colour wrap. Pantone references and CMYK values can be used to manage colour consistency, subject to normal variation caused by the chosen board, ink, coating and production method.

Are the cups recyclable?

The lining that lets a cup hold liquid is also what complicates its recycling, so a printed cup is not a plain-paper item. Its recyclability depends on the exact material and your local facilities, worth checking before you print a recycling claim on the cup.

Are the cups food-safe for drinks?

Food-contact material suitability is confirmed for the specific material before production. Confirming any information printed on the cup remains your business's responsibility, or that of its adviser

What is the minimum order for paper cups?

Orders start from 100 units. Standard production takes 6 to 8 business days after approval. UK delivery is free.