Technical FAQ

Our paper coffee cups are manufactured from food-grade paperboard sourced from responsibly managed forests (FSC-certified). The composition includes:

• Outer layer: 350gsm white or kraft paperboard for structural strength
• Inner lining: PE (polyethylene) lining at 15–20 µm for hot cups; PLA (polylactic acid) lining for our compostable range
• Double-wall cups: Two layers of paperboard with an air gap for thermal insulation
• Wax lining: Available for cold cups where PE/PLA is not required

All materials are FDA-compliant and meet EU food contact regulations (EC 1935/2004).

Yes. All of our cups, lids, and packaging materials are guaranteed BPA-free. We do not use Bisphenol A (BPA) or its substitutes (BPS, BPF) in any of our products. Our PE linings are produced using a BPA-free manufacturing process, and we provide third-party lab test reports upon request.

The key difference lies in the inner moisture barrier:

Recommendation: Choose PE-lined for cost-effective standard service. Choose PLA-lined if you have access to industrial composting and prioritize sustainability.

Yes. We offer water-based barrier-coated cups that use a ceramic or Solstice™ Bio coating instead of traditional PE or PLA. These cups are:

• 100% paper-based with no thermoplastic lining
• Home compostable and recyclable in paper streams
• Suitable for hot beverages up to 85°C (185°F)
• Available in 8oz, 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz sizes

These represent our most sustainable option and are gaining popularity among eco-conscious businesses. Please contact us for availability in your region and minimum order quantities.

We offer lids in multiple materials depending on the application:

• PP (Polypropylene): Our standard hot-cup lid. Heat-resistant, shatterproof, and food-safe. Available in clear and black.
• PP with sip-hole insert: Pre-punched or self-piercing designs for coffee cups.
• PLA lids: Compostable alternative for hot cups. Suitable for temperatures up to 70°C.
• PET dome lids: For cold cups and smoothie bowls. Crystal-clear with excellent condensation resistance.
• Wax paper lids: For bowl covers and flat-lid applications. Biodegradable.
• Acrylic lids: Premium reusable option for dine-in service with custom engraving.

We provide a comprehensive range of cup sizes for hot and cold beverages:

Custom sizes are available for bulk orders of 50,000+ units. Contact our sales team for a quote.

We offer the following lid styles, each designed for specific cup types:

• Flat coffee lid (SML): For 8oz–20oz hot cups. Pre-punched sip hole or self-piercing tab.
• Domed lid (SML): For cold cups and specialty drinks. Extra headspace for whipped cream or toppings.
• Smoothie lid: Two-hole design with large straw opening. For 16oz–24oz cups.
• Travel / reusable lid: Silicone-sealed, leak-proof. Fits our reusable cup range.
• Vented bowl lid: For takeaway soup and noodle bowls. Vent holes for steam release.
• Sealable film lids: For hot tea cups. Provides tamper evidence and spill prevention.

All lids are engineered for a secure snap-fit. We provide compatibility charts for each cup-lid combination. Custom-colored lids are available with a minimum order of 25,000 units.

Yes, we provide a full range of accessories:

• Kraft paper sleeves: For 12oz and 16oz hot cups. Custom printing available.
• Cardboard sleeves: Thicker option with higher print quality. For 8oz–20oz cups.
• Wrinkled paper sleeves: Decorative option for specialty cafés. Natural and white available.
• Cup carriers: 2-cup, 4-cup, and 6-cup cardboard carriers. Custom die-cut shapes available.
• Sleeve-less double-wall cups: Alternative to sleeves — built-in thermal insulation.

Our takeaway bowl range includes:

Complementary lids (wax paper, PP vented, film seal) are available for all bowl types.

We offer multiple printing processes depending on your quantity, budget, and design needs:

• Offset printing (4–8 color): Best for full-color photographic designs. Ideal for orders of 50,000+ units. Requires plate setup (one-time fee).
• Flexographic printing (1–4 color): Best for logos, text, and spot colors. Suitable for orders of 10,000+ units. Lower setup cost.
• Digital printing: Variable data and short-run custom designs. No plate fees. Ideal for orders of 1,000+ units.
• Hot foil stamping: Metallic gold, silver, or custom foil colors. Premium finish for luxury branding.
• Embossing/Debossing: Raised or recessed logo effects. Adds tactile brand experience.

All custom cups are printed on the outer surface only — the inner lining remains food-safe and unprinted.

MOQ varies by printing method:

We accept the following file formats for custom artwork:

• Preferred: AI, EPS, PDF (vector-based, with outlines converted)
• Acceptable: PSD, TIFF, PNG (300 DPI minimum resolution)
• Not accepted: JPEG for text-heavy designs (rasterization issues)

Artwork specifications:

• Provide a flat template (we supply templates for each cup size)
• All text must be converted to outlines/paths
• Use CMYK color mode (not RGB)
• Include 3mm bleed on all edges
• Minimum text size: 6pt for legibility
• Include Pantone (PMS) references for spot colors

Our design team will review your files and provide a digital proof for approval before production begins.

Yes, we offer custom die-cut cup shapes for large orders. Options include:

• Non-tapered (straight-sided) cups for retail display
• Extended rim or rolled rim designs
• Specialty shapes (e.g., flared base, ergonomic grip contours)
• Custom bottom diameters to fit specific dispensers or stands

Requirements for custom shapes:

• Minimum order: 100,000 units per shape
• One-time die/mold fee: $2,000–$5,000 (amortized over production run)
• Lead time: 6–8 weeks from approved sample to delivery

Contact our product engineering team for feasibility analysis and 3D renderings of custom designs.

Yes. We can supply cups in full-color printed outer layers or solid-colored paperboard. Available solid colors include:

• Standard: White, Natural Kraft, Black
• Extended: Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Pink, Purple (MOQ: 20,000+ units per color)
• Custom Pantone matching available for offset-printed orders (MOQ: 50,000+)

All custom-colored cups use food-safe inks applied only to the outer surface. The inner PE/PLA lining remains untouched.

Our products are certified and compliant with the following standards:

• FDA 21 CFR — U.S. Food and Drug Administration food-contact compliance
• EC 1935/2004 — European Union food-contact material regulation
• LFGB — German food safety standard (migration testing)
• FSC® — Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody certification
• ISO 9001:2015 — Quality management system certification
• SPECS (BPI) / EN 13432 — Industrial compostability certification for PLA-lined products
• RoHS / REACH — Restricted substances compliance
• Halal & Kosher — Available upon request for specific production lines

Certification documents and test reports are available upon request. We can also conduct custom migration testing for specific markets or regulatory requirements.

Our compostable cups (PLA-lined or water-based barrier) are certified for industrial/commercial composting under the following standards:

• BPI (USA) — Biodegradable Products Institute certification
• EN 13432 (Europe) — European compostability standard
• AS 5810 (Australia) — Australian commercial composting standard

No. All Cup Source products are PFAS-free. We do not use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in any of our paper cups, coatings, or printing inks. This applies to:

• Hot beverage cups (single-wall and double-wall)
• Cold beverage cups (wax-lined and PET)
• Takeaway bowls and food containers
• Lids, sleeves, and accessories

We have undergone third-party PFAS testing and can provide certificates of analysis (CoA) for your records. This is particularly important given recent regulatory actions in the U.S. (Minnesota, California) and the EU restricting PFAS in food packaging.

Absolutely. We provide the following documentation for every product:

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Per-batch testing results including migration limits, heavy metals, and PFAS screening
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS): For all raw materials used in production
• FSC Certificate: Chain-of-custody documentation for paper-based products
• Compostability certificates: BPI, EN 13432, or AS 5810 as applicable
• Custom test reports: Available upon request for specific regulatory markets

Documentation is accessible through our client portal or can be requested from your account manager. All documents are issued within 2–3 business days of order completion.

Lead times vary by product category and customization level:

Lead times are measured from approved proof/sign-off to the delivery date at your specified location. Rush orders may incur a 15–30% surcharge.

Products are packaged for maximum protection and warehouse efficiency:

• Inner packs: Cups and lids are bundled in shrink-wrapped packs (typically 100 or 200 units per pack)
• Master cartons: Inner packs are packed into corrugated cardboard boxes (typically 200–500 units per carton, depending on size)
• Palletization: Cartons are stacked on standard 48" × 40" pallets, stretch-wrapped for stability
• Edge protectors: Added to pallet edges for extra protection during transit
• Carton labeling: Each carton includes product code, quantity, batch number, and shipping barcode

Custom packaging configurations (e.g., retail-ready cases, private-label outer boxes) are available for large orders.

Yes, we ship to 60+ countries worldwide. Logistics options include:

• Full Container Load (FCL): 20ft and 40ft containers for large orders. Most cost-effective for quantities over 100,000 units.
• Less than Container Load (LCL): Consolidated shipping for smaller orders (10,000–100,000 units).
• Air freight: For urgent orders. 3–7 day delivery to major airports worldwide.
• Ocean freight: Standard international shipping. 15–35 days depending on destination.
• Domestic trucking: For U.S. and regional orders. 1–5 day delivery.

We work with major freight forwarders and can arrange DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) or FOB (Free on Board) terms based on your preference. Incoterms 2020 apply.

Our standard payment terms are:

• New customers: 100% payment before production begins
• Established customers: 50% deposit, 50% before shipment
• Net 30: Available for customers with verified credit (6+ months relationship, minimum order value)
• Letters of Credit (LC): Accepted for international orders over $10,000

We accept wire transfer (T/T), credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), PayPal, and bank drafts. Volume discount pricing is applied at the time of quote based on annual commitment levels.

We stand behind the quality of every order. Our defect policy includes:

• Inspection window: Notify us within 7 business days of delivery for any quality or damage claims
• Required documentation: Photos of damaged items, carton labels, and a description of the issue
• Resolution: We offer replacement, credit, or refund at our discretion based on the claim
• Acceptable defect rate: We maintain a quality standard of 99.5%+. Claims for defects exceeding this rate are prioritized

All products undergo in-process quality checks at multiple stages: raw material inspection, production line checks, pre-shipment sampling (AQL 2.5 standard), and final packaging verification.

Proper storage ensures product integrity and extends shelf life:

• Temperature: Store between 10°C–30°C (50°F–85°F). Avoid extreme heat or freezing temperatures.
• Humidity: Maintain relative humidity below 60%. High humidity can cause paper cups to soften or deform.
• Stacking: Keep pallets stacked no more than 5 high. Use edge protectors and ensure even weight distribution.
• Floor contact: Always store on pallets — never directly on concrete or warehouse floors.
• Shelf life: Unopened cartons maintain quality for 12–18 months when stored properly.

The recyclability of paper cups depends on the lining:

• PE-lined cups: Can be recycled at specialized facilities that separate the PE lining from paper fibers. Not recyclable in standard curbside paper recycling in most municipalities.
• PLA-lined cups: Not recyclable. Compostable at industrial composting facilities. Should not be placed in recycling bins (contaminates paper stream).
• Water-based barrier cups: Recyclable in standard paper streams. Also home compostable.
• Wax-lined cold cups: Biodegradable but not recyclable. Compostable or general waste.

All cartons are labeled with a production date and best-before date. We recommend FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory management.

Pallet quantities vary by cup size. Approximate figures for a standard 48" × 40" pallet:

These are approximate figures. Exact pallet counts depend on the specific product, packaging configuration, and palletization method. We provide detailed packing lists with every order.

We offer a comprehensive sustainability product line:

• Compostable cups: PLA-lined or water-based barrier options certified for industrial composting (BPI / EN 13432)
• Recycled content cups: Paperboard made from 30%, 50%, or 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) fiber
• Uncoated paper cups: For dry goods or cold drinks — 100% recyclable and compostable
• Bamboo fiber cups: Made from bamboo pulp — biodegradable and renewable
• Agave fiber cups: Made from agave plant waste — compostable and high-quality
• Sugarcane bagasse bowls: Made from sugarcane residue — compostable and sturdy
• Reusable cup programs: Durable melamine or ceramic cups with deposit/return systems

We also offer carbon offset shipping for orders over $5,000, where we invest in verified carbon reduction projects equivalent to your shipment's emissions.

Yes. 100% of our virgin fiber is sourced from FSC®-certified forests (Forest Stewardship Council). Our chain-of-custody certification ensures:

• Trees are harvested sustainably with replanting commitments
• Biodiversity and ecosystem health are protected
• Worker rights and community impacts are respected
• Full traceability from forest to finished product

We also offer 100% recycled fiber options for businesses looking to reduce virgin material consumption. Our recycled-content products use post-consumer waste and do not contribute to deforestation.

FSC® certificates and audit reports are available upon request.

We are developing a cup take-back program in partnership with recycling facilities. Currently available in select U.S. regions (California, New York, Texas), the program includes:

• Collection bins: Branded recycling bins for your location
• Collection service: Regular pickup of used cups from your site
• Processing: Separation of paper fiber from PE lining at our partner facility
• Reporting: Monthly sustainability reports showing tons diverted from landfill
• Credit system: Credits applied toward future orders based on volume recycled

This program is expanding to additional markets in 2025. Contact our sustainability team to check availability in your area or to express interest in pilot participation.

We've implemented several initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of our supply chain:

• Right-sizing packaging: Optimized carton dimensions reduce material use by 12% and increase pallet density by 18%
• Recycled corrugated boxes: All shipping cartons use minimum 80% recycled content
• Water-based adhesives: No solvent-based glues in packaging assembly
• Printed with soy inks: All custom printing uses soy-based or water-based inks
• Renewable energy: Our manufacturing facilities operate on 60% renewable energy (solar + wind)
• Waste diversion: 92% of manufacturing waste is recycled or composted

We publish an annual Sustainability Report with detailed metrics on emissions, water usage, waste, and social impact. The latest report is available on our website or upon request.