Paper Cups vs Plastic Cups for Cafés in Riyadh: Which to Print for Hot and Cold Drinks
Print paper cups for hot drinks, and print plastic cups for iced coffee and juices. Plastic cups can be used for hot drinks as well, so a café that wants one cup across the menu can stay with plastic. Paper cups are for hot drinks. This guide is for cafés, restaurants, caterers and offices in Riyadh and across Saudi Arabia, and it compares paper cups vs plastic cups for cafés in Riyadh: which cup to print, which lid fits, and how to plan the order.
Key takeaways
- Paper cups are for hot drinks. Choose single wall, double wall or ripple wall.
- Plastic cups suit both hot and cold drinks, and they are the popular choice for iced coffee and juices.
- Match the lid to the cup by rim diameter, whether the cup is paper or plastic.
- Print your logo on single wall and double wall paper cups, and on plastic cups. Ripple wall cups are supplied plain, without a logo.
- Minimum order is 1,000 or 5,000 pieces, depending on cup style.
Paper cups for hot drinks
Paper cups are what most Riyadh cafés print for coffee and tea served hot. The wall changes how the cup feels in the hand and whether you add a sleeve. If you have not chosen a size yet, start with paper cup sizes for cafés in Riyadh, then use single wall vs double wall paper cups to settle the wall.
Single wall
A single wall paper cup is one layer of paper. It is light and simple. With a hot drink it is commonly paired with a cup sleeve, so plan the sleeve as a second item if that is the wall you print.
Double wall
A double wall paper cup has a second layer with an air gap. It is more comfortable to hold with hot takeaway drinks, and for many cafés it removes the need for a separate sleeve. The outside is smooth, so a logo sits on an even surface.
Ripple wall
A ripple wall paper cup has a textured outer layer that adds grip and a look of its own. It is for hot drinks. Ripple wall cups are supplied plain, without a printed logo, so the texture is the branding.
Plastic cups for hot drinks and iced coffee
Plastic cups suit both hot and cold drinks. Cafés use them as plastic cups for iced coffee in Riyadh and for juices, and the same cups cover hot coffee when you would rather run one style. Sizes listed on the plastic cups page are 8, 10, 12 and 16 oz.
A clear cup shows the drink, which is why iced coffee and fresh juice are where plastic shows up most on a Riyadh counter. If the same café also serves hot drinks in plastic, match the lid to that cup the same way you would for paper.
Match the lid to the cup
The lid has to fit the rim, not just the ounce size. Two cups with the same ounce marking can have different rim diameters, and a lid that does not fit is a common, avoidable problem. Confirm the rim of the exact cup you choose, then pick cup lids for paper and plastic cups with our team.
Plan the lid with the cup. Hot coffee and iced coffee on the same menu often need different lids, even when the ounce size looks the same.
Print and branding
You can print your logo on single wall paper cups, double wall paper cups and plastic cups. Custom printed plastic cups in Riyadh carry the café mark on iced coffee the same way a printed paper cup carries it on a hot latte. Send the logo as a vector file where you can, and keep Arabic and English balanced if you use both.
Ripple wall cups are the exception on a paper order: they are supplied plain, without a logo. If the ripple texture is the look you want, do not plan artwork for that cup.
Paper vs plastic at a glance
| Cup | Hot drinks | Cold and iced drinks | Lid | Branding | Minimum order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper cups | For hot drinks: single wall, double wall or ripple wall | Paper cups are for hot drinks. For iced drinks, plastic cups are the popular choice | Match the lid to the rim diameter | Logo on single wall and double wall. Ripple wall is supplied plain, without a logo | 1,000 or 5,000 pieces, depending on cup style |
| Plastic cups | Suitable for hot drinks as well as cold | The popular choice for iced coffee and juices | Match the lid to the rim diameter | Printed logo on the cup | 1,000 or 5,000 pieces, depending on cup style |
Hot vs cold cups on a café menu
| Drink | Cup | Lid |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso, Arabic coffee and other short hot drinks | Paper cup, often single wall or a small double wall | Lid matched to the rim diameter |
| Latte, cappuccino, americano and hot tea to go | Paper cup, commonly double wall or ripple wall. Single wall works with a sleeve | Lid matched to the rim diameter |
| Hot drinks when you want one cup for the whole menu | Plastic cup, because plastic suits hot and cold | Lid matched to the rim diameter |
| Iced coffee | Plastic cup, in 8, 10, 12 or 16 oz | Lid matched to the rim diameter |
| Juices and other cold drinks | Plastic cup, in 8, 10, 12 or 16 oz | Lid matched to the rim diameter |
How to order disposable cups in Riyadh
Royal Pack's minimum order is 1,000 or 5,000 pieces, depending on cup style. Cafés ordering disposable cups wholesale in Riyadh, or bulk cups for cafés in Riyadh, use that same minimum. To plan the first order:
- Split the menu into hot drinks and iced or cold drinks.
- Print paper cups for the hot drinks. Print plastic cups for iced coffee and juices. Use plastic for hot drinks too if you want a single cup style.
- Confirm the sizes. Plastic cups are listed in 8, 10, 12 and 16 oz. Paper sizes are in the sizes guide.
- Match every lid to the rim diameter.
- Prepare the logo as a vector file, with Arabic and English if you use both. Leave ripple wall plain.
- Work through the custom cup order checklist, then request a quote or request a sample.
FAQ
Are paper cups better than plastic for coffee?
For hot coffee, paper cups are the usual print, especially double wall or ripple wall when the customer carries the cup. Plastic cups also work for hot coffee. Paper cups are for hot drinks. Plastic cups are the popular choice for iced coffee and juices. The better cup is the one that matches the drink.
Which cup for iced coffee?
Paper cups are for hot drinks. Plastic cups are the popular choice for iced coffee and juices, in 8, 10, 12 or 16 oz.
Do I need a sleeve with a single-wall cup?
For a hot drink, a single wall paper cup is commonly used with a cup sleeve. A double wall cup is more comfortable in the hand, so a separate sleeve is often not needed. Ask our team if you want a sleeve with the cup you choose.
Can I print my logo on plastic cups?
Yes. You can order plastic cups printed with your logo, and the same for single wall and double wall paper cups. Ripple wall paper cups are supplied plain, without a logo.
What is the minimum order?
The minimum order is 1,000 or 5,000 pieces, depending on cup style. Tell us the cup and the size and we will confirm which minimum applies.
Request a quote from Royal Pack in Riyadh
Tell us which drinks are hot and which are iced or cold, plus your sizes and logo. Royal Pack will help you match paper or plastic, lid and print for your Riyadh café. Request a quote or request a sample.
You can also reach our Riyadh team on +966 55 624 0690 or at sales@theroyalpack.com.