Today, let’s talk about something we use every day but rarely pay much attention to paper cups. Have you noticed that coffee shops and milk tea stores almost exclusively use those “thicker” double-walled insulated paper cups now? Gone are the days of the thin single-layer cups.
At the beginning I wondered that it is just a cup? How many differences can an extra layer make? Believe me that this is not a trick, it’s a real upgrade.
Firstly, let’s talk about the traditional single-layer paper cups:
1. Hot drinks must have a sleeve extra
When you order a hot latte or coco matcha, the water temperature can exceed 60 degrees Celsius, so the temperature of the single wall of a single-layer cup can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. It is impossible to hold it directly. So, the “cup + sleeve” combination is essentially be used.
2. Soft cup body with limited design opportunists
A single-layer paper cup is just a waterproof cardboard layer. When it is filled with liquid, especially hot drinks, the paper fibers absorb moisture and get soft.
3. Limited printing effects and poor brand presentation
The single wall of the paper cup contacts the drink and must be laminated with PE film. So there are no more choices for printing options like embossing or laminated with other kind of special films or papers.
4. Cold drinks cause the condensation and a slippery surface
Cold drinks cause condensation on the outside and make the cup wet and slippery. Who does want a wet hand after drinking?
Let’s see the double-walled cups now!
The real secret of double-walled insulated cups is the middle air gap. This kind of structure is inner layer (contacting the drink) + air gap + outer layer (pure shell) . This simple design addresses nearly all the problems of single-layer cups.
1. Say goodbye to sleeves
The air gap is a natural insulator. With the same hot coffee, the outer wall of a double wall cup stays between 30-40 degree Celsius which makes it comfortable to hold directly. Real example: Brands like Starbucks and Manner have ditched the “single-layer cup + sleeve” combination long time ago and chose for double-walled cups for convenience and eco-friendly.
2. Harder cup body and better appearance
The outer layer doesn’t contact the liquid and stay dry and firm. With the support from the air gap of the cup remains hard even holding 600ml. The cup always looks neat and enhances the brand image, even when it is delivered via takeaway orders for long distances.
3. Printing with high-end level
The outer layer can be printed with vary printing methods like gold/sliver stamping, UV printing, embossing, special paper/film and other special processes. All potential processes can be used for the outer wall because it doesn’t contact with the drinks. More specific details will be discussed in the next article.
4. No condensation and better choice for the customer experiences
There are no condensation for cold drinks because the moisture is blocked by the inner layer. So the outer layer keeps dry and non-slip. By the way, the impact resistant character of double wall paper cups is better compared to single-layer cups.
Cost comparison: are double wall cups really more expensive?
Many people think double wall cups are more expensive but when you consider everything together, they really save money, because hot drinks need just one double wall paper cup compared with combination of the single wall paper cup+sleeve. More importantly is that one less sleeve means one less piece of waste adding environmental benefits!
So, if you’re a business still using single-layer cups with sleeves, it’s time to upgrade. If you’re a consumer, next time when you buy a drink and pay attention to the cup. You’ll find good design really does make life a little more beautiful.
