Frequently Asked
Questions

Start by telling us your cup type, size, quantity, and printing requirements. We will send a quotation within 24 hours. Once you approve the quote, we prepare a digital proof for your sign-off, then move into production. Most buyers request free samples first — we ship them at no charge so you can verify quality before committing.

Yes. We offer free samples of our standard cup sizes and coatings. Custom-printed samples can also be arranged — these typically take 7–14 business days and may involve a small tooling fee that is credited back on your first bulk order.

We work with businesses of all sizes — from independent coffee shops placing their first branded cup order to regional chains and international distributors. Our team will recommend the most cost-effective approach based on your volume and timeline.

To prepare an accurate quotation, we need: (1) cup type and size (e.g., 12 oz single-wall hot cup), (2) coating preference (PE, PLA, or aqueous), (3) quantity, (4) printing details — number of colors and whether you have artwork ready, and (5) destination port or country. The more detail you provide, the faster we can respond.

Yes. We support full OEM and private label programs — your logo, your brand colors, your carton labeling. We can also help with structural design if you need a custom cup shape or size not in our standard range.

MOQ varies by product type. For paper cups (hot and cold), the standard MOQ is 20,000 pieces per size. For PP injection cups, MOQ starts at 50,000 pieces per size. For food containers and bowls, MOQ is typically 10,000–20,000 pieces. Contact us with your specific requirements — we can sometimes accommodate smaller trial orders for new customers.

Unit price is influenced by: (1) order quantity — larger orders cost less per piece; (2) cup size and wall type — double-wall and ripple-wall cups cost more than single-wall; (3) coating type — PLA and aqueous coatings carry a small premium over standard PE; (4) number of print colors — more colors add to the cost; and (5) packaging requirements such as custom carton labeling or inner wrapping.

FOB pricing for a standard 12 oz single-wall paper cup with 1–2 color print typically ranges from USD 0.025 to 0.045 per piece at 50,000+ quantities. Double-wall cups and full-color offset print will be higher. Please request a formal quotation for accurate pricing based on your exact specifications.

Flexographic printing plates (clichés) are required for each color in your design. These are a one-time cost and are waived or credited on repeat orders. Offset printing does not require plates. There are no mold fees for standard cup sizes — custom molds are quoted separately.

Our standard quotations are on FOB (Free on Board) terms, meaning the price covers production and loading at the Chinese port. We can also quote CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) or DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) if you prefer an all-inclusive price to your door.

Yes — custom printing is one of our core services. We can print your logo, brand colors, patterns, and marketing messages on any cup in our range. Full wraparound printing is available on most sizes.

We use two main methods: (1) Flexographic printing — up to 7 colors, ideal for large runs with solid colors and brand logos; (2) Offset printing — photographic-quality detail, best for complex gradients and imagery. For PP injection cups, we also offer IML (In-Mold Labeling), which permanently embeds the design into the cup wall for a premium finish.

Flexographic printing supports up to 7 colors (including white as a base). Offset printing is not limited by color count and can reproduce full-color photographs and complex gradients. IML printing on PP cups also supports full photographic quality.

We prefer vector files in AI (Adobe Illustrator) or PDF format with all fonts outlined. CMYK color mode is recommended. If you only have a raster file (JPG, PNG), our design team can assess whether the resolution is sufficient and advise accordingly. We offer basic artwork preparation support at no extra charge.

Yes. We can match Pantone Coated (PMS) colors in flexographic printing. Please specify the Pantone reference in your brief. For offset printing, color reproduction is based on CMYK values. A printed proof or physical sample is recommended before bulk production if color accuracy is critical.

IML (In-Mold Labeling) is a process where a pre-printed label is placed inside the mold before the plastic cup is formed, fusing the design permanently into the cup wall. The result is a scratch-resistant, photographic-quality finish with no label peel risk. IML is ideal for premium bubble tea cups, branded PP cups, and any application where visual impact and durability matter. MOQ is higher than standard print — typically 50,000 pieces per design.

We offer three coating types: (1) PE Coating — traditional polyethylene lining, cost-effective and widely used for hot and cold cups; (2) PLA Coating — plant-based (corn starch), industrially compostable, suitable for cold drinks up to 40°C; (3) Aqueous Coating — water-based with no plastic film, curbside recyclable with paper. All three coatings are PFAS-free — verified by independent 106-substance laboratory testing per Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, with test reports available to buyers on request.

PE (polyethylene) is a fossil-fuel-based plastic lining. It is durable, heat-resistant up to 100°C, and the most affordable option, but it is not compostable and makes the cup harder to recycle. PLA (polylactic acid) is derived from corn starch and is industrially compostable under EN 13432 conditions. PLA cups are better suited for cold drinks (up to 40°C) — they can soften with very hot liquids. If your customers are in markets with industrial composting infrastructure, PLA is a strong sustainability choice.

Aqueous coating (also called water-based coating) replaces the plastic film lining with a thin water-based barrier. Because there is no plastic film to separate, the cup can be recycled in standard paper streams without specialized facilities; the dispersion itself contains a small amount of polymer (typically under 5% of cup weight), so in the EU these cups still carry the SUP marking. The coating is also free from PFAS chemicals. Aqueous-coated cups are increasingly preferred by brands in the EU and UK where plastic reduction is a priority.

Yes. All our cups are manufactured using food-contact-grade materials and are produced in facilities that follow food safety management standards. Our paperboard and coatings comply with relevant food-contact regulations. Specific compliance documentation (such as migration test reports) can be arranged upon request for buyers who require them for their market.

Standard paper cups are not recommended for microwave use. The PE or PLA lining and the adhesive used in cup construction are not designed for microwave heating. If you need microwave-safe packaging, please discuss your requirements with us — we can advise on suitable alternatives.

PP (polypropylene) cups are injection-molded from food-grade polypropylene resin. PP is a durable, BPA-free plastic that is widely accepted in recycling programs. Our PP cups are suitable for cold beverages and are compatible with standard 90mm and 92mm dome lids used in bubble tea and specialty drinks.

Standard production lead time is 15–25 business days after artwork approval and receipt of deposit. Complex orders with custom molds or special coatings may take longer. We will confirm the exact timeline in your order confirmation. Rush production can sometimes be arranged — contact us to discuss your deadline.

Standard stock samples are dispatched within 3–5 business days. Custom-printed samples require 7–14 business days depending on artwork complexity and the number of colors. Sample shipment is by express courier (DHL, FedEx, or UPS) and typically arrives within 3–7 days depending on your location.

We offer FOB (Free on Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight), and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms. FOB is the most common for experienced importers who have their own freight forwarder. CIF includes shipping and insurance to your destination port. DDP is the most convenient option — we handle everything including customs clearance and last-mile delivery.

Cups are packed in cartons and shipped by sea freight in 20ft or 40ft containers. For smaller orders or urgent shipments, air freight is available at a higher cost. We work with established freight forwarders and can recommend reliable partners if you do not have one. We ship to 50+ countries worldwide.

Our standard terms are 30% deposit before production and 70% balance before shipment. For established customers with a track record of orders, we may discuss extended terms. We accept T/T (telegraphic transfer / bank wire) and L/C (letter of credit) for larger orders.

Our supply network includes facilities with ISO 9001 quality management certification and BSCI social compliance audits. FSC-certified paperboard is available upon request for buyers who need responsible forestry documentation. Additional certifications such as food-contact compliance reports, compostability certificates (EN 13432 / OK Compost), and third-party test reports can be arranged on a per-order basis.

Yes. FSC-certified paperboard is available upon request. FSC certification ensures the paper fiber comes from responsibly managed forests. If your brand or retail partners require FSC documentation, please specify this when requesting a quote so we can source from certified mills and provide the appropriate chain-of-custody paperwork.

Our cups are manufactured using materials that meet general food-contact safety requirements. For buyers importing into the EU, we can arrange migration test reports and material declarations upon request. Specific regulatory compliance (such as German BfR or French DGCCRF requirements) should be discussed at the quotation stage so we can confirm the appropriate documentation.

Yes. For EU-bound shipments involving paperboard products, we can provide due diligence documentation aligned with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EU 2023/1115). Please flag this requirement at the time of ordering so we can prepare the necessary traceability records.

"Biodegradable" is a broad term with no standardized timeframe — it simply means a material will eventually break down. "Compostable" is a certified claim: under EN 13432 (industrial composting) or OK Compost Home (home composting) standards, the material must fully disintegrate within a defined period (typically 12 weeks in industrial conditions) and leave no toxic residue. Always look for a certified compostable label rather than just "biodegradable."

PLA cups are compostable under industrial composting conditions (high heat and humidity), which makes them a better end-of-life option than PE-lined cups in markets with the right composting infrastructure. However, PLA cups cannot be composted in home compost bins or recycled in standard plastic streams. Their eco-friendliness depends heavily on whether your local waste management system can process them correctly. We recommend checking with your waste contractor before committing to PLA.

PLA-coated paper cups are suitable for cold beverages and can handle warm drinks up to approximately 40°C. For hot drinks (coffee, tea), PE-coated or aqueous-coated paper cups are the appropriate choice — they maintain structural integrity at temperatures up to 100°C. If recyclability is the goal for a hot cup, aqueous-coated cups are the best option — no plastic film, curbside recyclable with paper. (For certified composting, PLA is the route, but for cold drinks only.)

The most recognized certifications for industrial composting are EN 13432 (Europe) and ASTM D6400 (North America). The "OK Compost Industrial" and "OK Compost Home" marks from TÜV Austria are widely accepted by retailers and waste management operators. BPI certification is common in the US market. We can supply cups with these certifications upon request — please specify which certification your market requires.

PE-lined paper cups are technically recyclable but require specialist paper mills with the equipment to separate the plastic lining — not all curbside programs accept them. Aqueous-coated cups have no plastic film and can be recycled in standard paper streams in most markets. PP cups are recyclable in plastic streams (check local recycling codes). We recommend specifying your target market's recycling infrastructure when choosing a coating so we can recommend the most appropriate option.

Every order goes through a multi-stage quality process: raw material inspection on arrival, in-line checks during production (dimensions, seam integrity, print registration), and a pre-shipment inspection before loading. We follow AQL 2.5 sampling standards for final inspection. Quality inspection reports are provided with each shipment.

AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) 2.5 is an internationally recognized sampling standard used in manufacturing. At AQL 2.5, a statistically determined sample of units is inspected — if the number of defects found exceeds the threshold, the batch is held for rework or rejection. AQL 2.5 is the standard used by most professional importers and is a reliable benchmark for B2B packaging supply.

Yes. You are welcome to arrange a third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or similar) at our facility before shipment. We will coordinate access and timing with your inspection company. Please notify us at the time of ordering so we can schedule the inspection into the production timeline.

If you receive products that do not meet the agreed specifications, please contact us within 14 days of delivery with photographic evidence. We will investigate promptly. Depending on the nature and extent of the issue, we will arrange replacement production, a credit note, or a partial refund. Our goal is to resolve quality issues fairly and quickly so that your operations are not disrupted.

Yes. Leak testing is part of our standard quality process for hot cups and cold cups. We test bottom seam integrity and sidewall bonding under conditions that simulate normal use. Results are included in the quality inspection report provided with each shipment.