CupsPak quality control inspector in lab coat measuring paper cup dimensions with digital calipers, with quality checkpoint board showing Dimensions, Print Quality, Leak Test and Structural Integrity checks
Quality Assurance

Quality you can verify,
before it ships

CupsPak inspects every order before it ships — so what arrives matches the sample you approved, with the documents your market requires.

100%
Pre-shipment inspection
AQL 2.5
Inspection standard
7 days
Free samples
5 gates
Quality checkpoints
Request Free Samples → Talk to Our Team
Our role

What a specialist partner controls

We don't leave quality to chance. CupsPak manages it end to end — from the first material check to the final shipping documents.

Audited production standards

Every order is produced to audited food-safety standards — consistency and capability come first, not the lowest cost.

In-process & pre-shipment QC

Inspection during the run and again on finished goods, against an agreed AQL standard, before anything loads.

Compliance documentation

Test reports and declarations of compliance prepared for your customs and due-diligence needs.

Five quality gates

A closer look at the quality checkpoints

Every order passes five quality gates. Nothing scales up until you've signed off.

01

Incoming material check

Cupstock, coatings, and inks verified against spec before production starts.

02

In-process inspection

Checks during the run for print registration, dimensions, and seal integrity.

03

Sample approval gate

Your sign-off

You approve a pre-production sample. Mass production starts only after your written sign-off.

04

Pre-shipment inspection

AQL-based · before loading

AQL-based inspection on finished goods before the container loads. Leakage test with hot liquid at 90°C+ — every batch, every time.

  • Hot-fill leakage test at 90°C+
  • Dimensional check vs. approved sample
  • Print colour & registration check
  • Inspection photos sent before loading
CupsPak pre-shipment inspection — hot-fill leakage test at 90°C+, dimensional check vs approved sample, print colour registration check, and inspection photos sent before container loading
Leakage Test
Hot coffee at 90°C+ — every batch before shipment
05

Docs & release

Inspection reports and declarations of compliance issued; the order is released for shipping.

Certifications & compliance

Manufactured to the standards your buyers ask for

Production runs under third-party-audited management systems (ISO 9001, BRC, BSCI), and our materials are selected to comply with internationally recognized food-safety, social, and environmental standards.

ISO 9001 ISO 22000 BRC BSCI SEDEX FSC-Compliant FDA 21 CFR compliant LFGB compliant HACCP

Factory management certificates and third-party test reports (e.g. SGS) are available on request to support your import compliance documentation.

View all certifications →
Food-contact & regional rules

Compliant for the markets you sell into

  • Materials selected to comply with FDA 21 CFR, EU 1935/2004, and LFGB requirements for food contact.
  • Declarations of compliance prepared for customs and retailer due diligence.
  • Full material and batch traceability on every order.
Test specifications

What we test — and how

Every CupsPak order is verified against four categories of tests. Here are the specific checks, methods, and pass criteria we apply.

1. Incoming material inspection

Test item Method Pass criterion
Cupstock grammage (GSM) Cut 100 cm² sample, weigh on precision scale Within ±3 g/m² of spec (e.g. 260 g/m² ±3)
PE / PLA coating weight Gravimetric method after solvent stripping Typically 15–18 g/m² inner; 10–12 g/m² outer
Moisture content of paperboard Oven-dry method (105°C, 2 h) ≤8% moisture by weight
Ink & coating food-safety Supplier CoA reviewed against EU 1935/2004 / FDA 21 CFR requirements; third-party migration test available on request Materials comply with applicable food-contact regulations
Reel width & core size Steel tape measure Within ±1 mm of reel spec

2. Physical & structural tests

Test item Method / standard Pass criterion
Hot-fill leakage test Fill with water at ≥90°C; hold 5 min on absorbent paper Zero visible leakage or seepage
Cold-fill leakage test Fill with iced water (0–5°C); hold 10 min Zero visible leakage or seepage
Rim diameter tolerance Digital calipers, 3 measurements per cup ±0.5 mm vs. approved sample
Cup height tolerance Digital calipers ±1.0 mm vs. approved sample
Bottom diameter tolerance Digital calipers ±0.5 mm vs. approved sample
Burst / compression strength ISO 22096 — hydraulic tester, vertical load on cup No collapse at 20 kg load (hot cup); 15 kg (cold cup)
Stacking stability Stack 50 cups; apply 5 kg top load for 30 min No deformation; cups separate without tearing
Heat deformation test Fill with 90°C water; hold 3 min; measure rim diameter change Diameter change ≤1 mm

3. Print & appearance inspection

Colour accuracy

  • Pantone / CMYK values matched against approved colour proof
  • Delta-E ≤3.0 measured with spectrophotometer
  • No visible colour shift between cups in the same batch

Print registration

  • Design alignment checked with loupe magnifier (10×)
  • Misregistration tolerance: ≤0.3 mm
  • No ghosting, streaking, or ink bleed

Surface defects (AQL 2.5)

  • No cracks, dents, or deformities on cup body or rim
  • No uneven PE/PLA coating or delamination
  • No foreign matter, dirt, or odour

Rim curl & seam

  • Rim curl uniform and smooth — no sharp edges
  • Side seam overlap within spec; no open seam
  • Bottom seam flat and fully bonded

4. Food-safety & compliance tests

Test Standard / regulation Applicable market Document provided
Overall migration EU Regulation 1935/2004; EN 1186 EU / UK Migration test report (SGS / Intertek)
Specific migration (heavy metals) EU 10/2011; GB/T 5009.156 EU / China Lab report on request
Food-contact safety FDA 21 CFR §176 / §177 USA Supplier declaration; lab test on request
LFGB food-contact compliance LFGB §30, §31 (Germany) Germany / EU Supplier CoA; LFGB test report on request
Formaldehyde & fluorescence GB 18585; GB/T 29604 China / General CoA from paperboard supplier
Microbiological cleanliness ISO 4833 (total plate count) All markets Internal batch record
PFAS (per- & polyfluoroalkyl) EU REACH; California SB 1422 EU / USA Supplier declaration; lab test on request

AQL 2.5 sampling standard

Pre-shipment inspection follows ISO 2859-1 (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4) AQL 2.5 — the internationally recognised sampling plan used by third-party inspectors (SGS, Intertek, QIMA). Sample size is determined by lot size: e.g. for a lot of 10,000 cups, 200 units are inspected. The lot is accepted if critical defects = 0, major defects ≤5, minor defects ≤14. You are welcome to send your own inspector or engage a third-party agency — we provide full access and cooperation.

Our commitment

If it isn't right, we make it right

Re-inspection on request

Want extra assurance? We'll arrange additional inspection — or welcome your own third-party inspector.

Replacement for verified defects

If delivered goods don't match the approved sample, we resolve it through replacement or remake.

24-hour response

A dedicated account manager answers within one business day — one contact for your whole order.

Common questions

What buyers ask us

Yes. We provide free samples of standard items (you cover the courier), usually shipped within 7 days. For custom designs, we produce a pre-production sample for your approval before any mass production begins.
Absolutely. We support custom sizes, shapes, and printing up to 7 colours, plus finishes like matte, embossing, and black coatings. Send your logo or artwork and we'll prepare a dieline and a print-ready proof for sign-off.
MOQ starts from 10,000 pieces per item. Standard production runs 15–25 business days after sample approval, depending on the product, printing, and quantity. Exact timing is confirmed with your quote.
Yes. Every order goes through in-process and pre-shipment inspection against an agreed AQL standard. You're also welcome to send your own or a third-party inspector before the container loads.
Yes. Declarations of compliance and existing food-contact test reports for your market are provided at no charge. If your order needs new or independent third-party testing (e.g. SGS, Intertek), we'll coordinate it for you — lab fees for new tests are quoted separately, at cost.
For most orders we work on a deposit with the balance before shipment, by bank transfer (T/T). Terms can be discussed for repeat customers, and everything is set out clearly in your proforma invoice — no hidden costs.
We arrange sea or air freight under the Incoterms you prefer (FOB, CIF, DDP and more), and can consolidate multiple product types into one shipment to save on freight. Full shipping and customs documents are provided.
Mass production only begins after you approve a pre-production sample — that sample is the agreed standard. If delivered goods don't match it, we resolve it through replacement or remake.

See the quality before you commit

Request free samples and a quote. We'll walk you through inspection, documentation, and timelines for your order.

Request Free Samples → Talk to Our Team
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