What are the common structures of paper cups?

With the development of modern catering and ready-to-drink culture, paper cups have become an important part of daily life. As a professional paper cup manufacturer, we have found that many customers have questions about the characteristics and applicable scenarios of different paper cup structures.

I. Single-Wall Paper Cups

Single-wall paper cups are the simplest and lowest-cost type of paper cup.

Structural characteristics: Made of only one layer of food-grade paper coated with PE (polyethylene) or PLA (polylactic acid).
Usually, single-sided coating is used, meaning the inner wall is coated for water and oil resistance, while the outer wall is uncoated.

Applicable scenarios:

• Cold drinks: such as iced coffee, soda, smoothies, etc. The single-layer structure is sufficient for holding chilled drinks.
• Warm and hot drinks: Only suitable for lukewarm water or drinks below 60°C.
  
  

Due to the lack of an insulation layer, it is not recommended for holding scalding hot drinks, as it can easily burn your hands; a cup sleeve is necessary.

II. Double-Wall Paper Cups

Double-wall paper cups were developed to address the poor insulation of single-wall paper cups.

Structural Features: Composed of two layers of paper, with an inner layer as the base and an outer layer encasing a separate paper wall.
A tiny air gap exists between the two paper walls, forming an effective insulation barrier.

Although more expensive than single-wall cups, their superior insulation often replaces the need for a cup sleeve, reducing overall packaging costs and enhancing the customer experience.

Suitable Scenarios: Ideal for hot beverages such as hot coffee, milk tea, and cocoa; this is the most common insulated paper cup structure used in high-quality coffee shops.

Suitable for occasions requiring high insulation and comfortable grip.

III. Ripple Wall Paper Cups

Ripple wall paper cups are currently recognized as the "flagship" product among insulated paper cups, further upgrading the insulation design of double-wall cups.

Structural Features: Based on a double-layer structure, the outermost layer uses corrugated or corrugated cardboard instead of a smooth paper wall.
This creates a thicker, more stable airflow layer between the corrugated cardboard and the inner cup wall, significantly enhancing insulation.
The corrugated exterior has a rougher feel, providing better grip and traction.

Suitable Scenarios: Extremely hot beverages: Suitable for beverages requiring extreme insulation and long-term heat retention.

As a professional paper cup manufacturer, we offer various sizes of single-layer, double-layer, and corrugated paper cups, and support customization of eco-friendly PLA-coated paper cups. Whether you are a catering company seeking the best value for money or a coffee chain emphasizing a premium brand experience, we can provide you with a one-stop paper cup solution.