Hello everyone, today let’s deeply talk about printing techniques for the double wall paper cups which are becoming the first choice for all kinds of coffee shops and milk tea stores. Some people think that the double-layered cups are just for heat insulation and better sturdy. But its biggest advantage is that the outer layer does not contact with the drink at all what means that the designer can use any printing techniques of visual and tactile effects on the outer layer without caring about food safety issues.
The following 7 techniques are specifically suited for double wall paper cups to let you quickly get one design inspiration even you’re a new starter.
1. Printing Techniques
The outer layer doesn’t typically require a waterproof film so the printing precision is higher and printed colors are more brightly which is perfect for complex patterns. For example:
Full-color gradients: From dark brown to light gray, from sunset orange to creamy white etc. Use Flexo or offset printing to create smooth transitions which match your the design of your color scheme totally.
High resolution: No worries how fine the lines or small spots of your design, the outer paper is sturdy enough to 100% print small images like logos which is significantly enhancing the brand recognition.
Gold/silver foiling stamping can add a metallic effect to logos or lines to attract customers attentions. And this kind of process is very favored by high end coffee or milk tea brands.
2. Material Combination Techniques
You can add layers to the cup with combining different materials like following:
Special processed kraft paper: Use special textured kraft paper with different color printing can achieve a special look and touch feeling.
Transparent windows: Cutting out a small window (round or heart shaped etc.) on the outer layer and covering it with transparent film to show small patterns or texts from the inner layer like a hidden Easter Egg that is very famous on social media to post for young people.
Flocked paper with the outer layer: It feels like the short velvet especially warm to hold in winter. If it can combine it with the embossed process, the cup would be perfect for the brand image.
3. Structural Interaction Techniques
Utilizing the air gap between the double layers to increase the fun and promotion activities.
Tear-off label: It can cut a label on the outer layer which customers can peel off and find some information like coupons hidden behind the label before drinking which is essentially important for free ads and promotion. There are also some other tricks like hidden surprise and edge cuts which will be talked later.
4. Touch Feeling with raised images
The main process for this kind of feeling enhancement for paper cups is spot UV+embossing. The embossing on the outer layer can press the surface to raise smoothly. And the spot UV treatment can raise this feeling further with special appearance.
5. Eco-friendly Attitude
The environmental issues are concerned more and more. The design of paper cups should not only reflect brand images but also maintain environmental sustainability. There are mainly two ways to realize it:
Natural materials + plant-based ink: Using bamboo pulp paper or biodegradable kraft paper with natural textures and combining with this kind of eco-friendly ink will reduce the waste of materials and show customers a fresh and natural image.
6. Color-changing Techniques
The following techniques are absolutely eye-catching ways to prompt customers to immediately take photos and share your paper cups on social media.
Photochromic effects. The surface of paper cups can change the color when they are exposed to sunlight such as clouds on the surface of paper cups can turn into rainbows or the black background can turn to blue. It is perfect for outdoor situation.
Thermochromic effects. The surface of paper cups can gradually change when they are filled with hot coffee or cold drinks which can achieve the change following the change of temperature.
7. Foaming Techniques
This kind of technique are commonly used in high end paper cups in recent days. The principle is the special foaming ink which is used for printing. After heating, the ink can expand to form 0.1~0.3mm raised textures and it can be touched like bas-relief with a grainy texture. It is very suitable for brands which is focusing on premium quality and willing to win in details
Key Points:
The structural advantages of double wall paper cups allow us to enhance the appearance without considering of the heat insulation, rigidity and food safety. The paper cups with double layer wall are no longer just cups for drinks but mobile business cards, promotion tools, and Z-Generation’s topic triggers for social media posts.
