Coffee in cups has long been a small habit of a big city. Each of us has noticed people walking around the city with this drink in their hands. It is already difficult to imagine city life without it.

coffee cup
The disposable coffee cup is not a modern invention.

Coffee cups are a real salvation for the fast food industry, fast food and various vending machines. This invention appeared more than 100 years ago, but today they have become an integral part of modern life. Especially relevant are cups for catering.

coffee cup design
The history of this unique item goes back to the beginning of the last century and, like everything simple but ingenious, it was invented completely by accident.

We often walk around the city, supermarket, store, and such devices politely offer cups of coffee. Such dishes will replace the usual porcelain or ceramic mug. Moreover, if a logo or brand is applied to a disposable cup, it will become a good advertisement for your business.

coffee cups
Today it is a common item, without which it is difficult to imagine the work of fast food restaurants, street cafes and coffee machines.

This convenient container was invented by American Hugh Moore, and since then the cup has become incredibly popular all over the world. It is hard to imagine vending machines without disposable tableware. It is convenient and looks attractive.

coffee in cups
The initial goal of creating disposable tableware was hygiene and solving the problem of the spread of various infections.

Today, paper coffee cups are environmentally friendly products. They can withstand high temperatures and are not subject to deformation (they retain their shape well). Plus, they do not change the taste of the drink and are absolutely harmless.

coffee in eco cups
1910 is not the birthday of the disposable paper cup, but the year of its triumph.

Cups are convenient in the rhythm of a big city, they are easy to hold in your hand and drink a hot drink on the go. Especially if coffee cups are sold with a lid.

Features of coffee cups

There are two types: paper and plastic cups. Each of these types has its own characteristics.

The main advantage of paper tableware is that it is disposable. It should not be washed and reused, especially since a cardboard cup cannot be completely washed. Microcracks form on the walls, and the product reacts with the new drink.

paper cup for coffee
After coffee became almost a popular drink, disposable "cellulose" tableware began to be used to sell drinks made from it.

Disposable cups are distinguished by the fact that they do not release harmful substances when in contact with hot substances. They do not leak or come apart. You can heat drinks in them in the microwave, while the heat will remain. The composition of such cups is completely natural and they are easily recycled without harming the environment.

paper cups for coffee
The glasses can withstand high temperatures while still providing comfort to the consumer.

The peculiarity of plastic containers is that they are resistant to high temperatures and have low thermal conductivity.

plastic coffee cup
The inventors were well versed in the art of sales and patented their invention not as a disposable cup, but as an antimicrobial cup.

The main advantage is that they are sold at an affordable price. For ease of use, many cafes and restaurants equip the cups with a special lid. This makes it convenient to use tea or coffee "to go".

coffee glasses
When heated, the glass does not emit toxic substances; they are absolutely harmless when used.

What materials are coffee cups made of?

The technology of production of such dishes is extremely simple and does not require the participation of complex equipment. With the help of special machines, the manufacturing process is fast and fully automated.

The production is divided into several stages: first, all the consumables are combined together, then the glasses are packaged and prepared for sale.

coffee glasses with a pattern
Today, disposable cups are used everywhere for both hot and cold drinks.

What are the cups made of:

  1. Cardboard or paper. Recently, they have become the most popular among consumers. Only high-quality cardboard and cellulose are used for production. They do not absorb moisture (they undergo additional lamination). The material from which paper cups are made has a number of features. 70% of the substance is coniferous trees, the remaining 30% are deciduous. Due to this, they are environmentally friendly and safe. The main manufacturing countries are the USA and Finland. They are comfortable and pleasant to hold in your hands, the lids prevent spills and retain heat. They completely decompose within six months.
  2. Polystyrene. The most common cups for vending machines. The material has unique thermal insulation properties: it retains heat or coolness for a long time, which is why condensation on the outside of the container occurs. The cups are cheap and lightweight. However, they can easily break or deform. The most common manufacturers are Flo, Vendorplast, Expert.
disposable coffee cups
For the sale of coffee and tea, cardboard products are used, which, despite their paper base, are resistant to both moisture and high temperatures.

This is interesting! Polystyrene is completely harmless when in contact with food. The polymer included in the composition is permitted by the European Union and is recognized as safe for contact with hot drinks.

  1. Plastic cups made of polypropylene. They are used much less often, because their cost is higher. They are distinguished by high temperature resistance. They are soft, but more difficult to deform. Well-known brands-manufacturers: Dopla, Upax.

Types of coffee cups

There are quite a large number of types of coffee cups. This consumable is widely in demand by consumers and, depending on a number of features, they are classified into different categories.

paper coffee cup photo
Due to environmental issues, more and more countries are completely abandoning plastic-based products and giving preference to paper (cardboard) analogues.

Cups vary in size, color, material, and texture. By choosing the most suitable type of glassware, you can attract a large number of visitors, and therefore develop your business.

coffee in cups photo
In the production of paper products, environmentally friendly raw materials are used.

This means that the glasses are divided according to the following criteria.

By color

The main color used by manufacturers is white. But there are different options.

paper cups for coffee
Even the dyes that are applied to white paper cups are harmless to both humans and the environment.
  1. Taste Quality – brown glasses with different capacities (from 100 ml to 400 ml).
  2. Waffle Craft – red, black and brown cups. They are double-layered with a ribbed surface. The container capacity is 250 ml and the attractive appearance will not leave your visitors indifferent.
  3. Craft. Three-layer coffee cups in black and brown. They are characterized by increased strength and incredibly stylish design. Volume: 250 and 360 ml.
  4. Football. The glasses are made in a bright football design. Format: narrow and wide. Volume: from 150 ml to 40 ml.
  5. Lavazza. These coffee glasses are distinguished by their rich blue hue. Volume 240 ml. Manufacturer – a famous Italian brand.
  6. To go. Brown and red glass with thermal insulation technology. Maximum volume 480 ml.
  7. Coffee bean craft. They can be of all sorts of colors. Also, the glasses of this manufacturer are distinguished by the presence of a seam and a laminated layer, which eliminates leakage. They are complemented by a lid. Glasses with a coffee logo are convenient to take with you. It is comfortable for the buyer, for the businessman - additional advertising.
  8. Black and white glasses. The first option is very stylish, you can write on them with a marker (a new trend in coffee shops), white ones are convenient for applying a logo. They retain heat well and do not break.
  9. Jet. They can also be black, etc. The distinctive feature is that the brand produces cups with bright patterns.
black coffee cups
In the right hands and with the right approach, they turn into a wonderful, and most importantly, very inexpensive marketing and advertising tool.

By volume and purpose

Coffee glasses are made in various shapes and volumes. According to their purpose, they can be: Americano, espresso, latte, etc.

paper coffee cups of different sizes
It is enough to put the logo of a cafe or coffee company on plain (usually white) glasses, and brand recognition will double.

Volume is an important characteristic of disposable coffee tableware. When choosing a glass, you need to focus on the specific features of a particular establishment.

cardboard coffee cups
Disposable containers can be used as an advertising medium not only by companies involved in coffee or food sales, but also by enterprises operating in other business areas.

In European countries, the most common volume of a coffee cup is 100 ml and 200 ml. In our country, the generally accepted size is 250 ml. This capacity will allow you to enjoy the drink for a long time. There are also other sizes of coffee containers: from 280 ml to 400 ml.

coffee cups with print
Such products cannot be reused. Fortunately, the raw materials they are made from are easy to recycle and do not harm the environment.

By surface type

  • Paper cups. They do not deform, do not come unstuck or break. They can have a ribbed or rough surface, which prevents the cup from falling out of your hands. Their top layer also allows you to apply various advertisements or logos.
  • Plastic. They can be either smooth or with a large contact area (the glass will not slip). Thanks to this surface, you can take them with you on vacation, for example, on a picnic.
beautiful coffee glasses
Cardboard cups are made of 30% hardwood and 70% softwood cellulose, which decomposes easily and quickly.

By structure

  • Single-layer. The most popular type of cups. They are made of cardboard, with one-sided or two-sided lamination. This makes them ideal for hot drinks. Small cups are most often made with one-sided internal lamination. Double-sided coating increases the service life of the device by two times, as it prevents soaking on either side.
  • Double-layer. These are the cups that you can find in the city residents buying coffee "to go". The dishes perfectly retain heat, are waterproof and are extremely comfortable to hold in your hands (it is impossible to get burned). Double-layer cups do not affect the taste of the product in any way.
  • Corrugated. You can pour a drink of any temperature into these glasses for a long time. They do not deform, they are absolutely harmless. Due to the characteristic ribbed surface, they are reliable and do not slip out of your hands.
corrugated coffee cups
Paper cups may vary in size (depending on what type of coffee they are intended for serving).

How to Decide on the Choice of Paper Coffee Cup

Any businessman in the catering industry knows very well that it is not enough to simply offer a visitor delicious coffee. The packaging in which he serves the drink to the guest is important. No matter how aromatic the coffee is, if it is served in an uncomfortable and hot glass, the pleasure and impression of the establishment will be completely spoiled. Moreover, your client may get burned.

designer coffee glasses
There are small containers for espresso, and larger containers for Americano, latte and cappuccino.

Many people mistakenly think that all cups are the same, but this is only at first glance. When choosing cups for a coffee shop, it is best to choose thick cardboard dishes. Ideally, such cups will have handles (for the convenience of visitors).

colored paper coffee cups
For protection against high temperatures, double-layer devices are suitable.

The second point that is definitely worth paying attention to is tightness. Each manufacturer has its own manufacturing technology, and not everyone can provide a glass that reliably protects against drink leakage.

white coffee glasses
To increase consumer comfort and safety, manufacturers of disposable tableware have come up with special lids.

The third factor is the appearance of the glass. This is your marketing weapon. Design increases the level of customer trust. Of course, you can use ordinary white glasses. However, by using your imagination, you risk not only pleasantly surprising your guests, but also promoting your own brand. In this way, you will emphasize your individuality and increase loyalty.

paper coffee cups with logo
Despite their visual fragility, cardboard products are much more stable and durable than their plastic counterparts.

Craft cups are a great choice here. They are produced in light brown, which allows you to apply logos of any shade to them: from golden to black. They are both single-layer and double-layer. They are perfect for small portions of coffee, tea, cocoa, hot chocolate. Such a branded container will successfully distinguish you from competitors and increase the cost of the finished product. The volume of craft cups is: 100, 250 and 350 ml.

takeaway coffee cups
Coffee in a paper container with a lid is especially popular among those who like to drink it on the go.

To sum it up, we can highlight that coffee cups have become an integral attribute of modern life. You can meet people with such a container in their hands everywhere. Any coffee shop offers hot drinks "to go" in cups. Thanks to them, you can order your favorite drink and not worry that there is no time to drink it right in the cafe. Beautiful coffee cups will be a great and positive start to any, even the most cloudy day. They are intended for those who strive to lead an active lifestyle and do not want to waste a minute.

VIDEO: How paper coffee cups are made.

50 Creative Design Ideas for Takeaway Coffee Cups: