Plastic Cups Buyer’s Guide
Plastic Cups Buying Guide
Plastic cups are used every day by cafés, restaurants, takeaway businesses, event organisers, and food service companies. Choosing the right cup size and lid improves drink presentation, reduces waste, enhances customer experience, and ensures beverages are served safely and professionally.
Common Plastic Cup Sizes
12oz Plastic Cups
Ideal For: Soft drinks, juice, iced coffee, and children's drinks. This versatile size is perfect for smaller cold beverages and everyday takeaway orders.
14oz Plastic Cups
Ideal For: Smoothies, milkshakes, bubble tea, and cold coffees. A popular choice for cafés serving specialty drinks.
16oz Plastic Cups
Ideal For: Large soft drinks, frappés, smoothies, and iced beverages. One of the most commonly used cup sizes for takeaway drinks.
20oz Plastic Cups
Ideal For: Large smoothies, bubble tea, milkshakes, and premium takeaway drinks. Perfect for larger servings and beverages with extra ingredients.
Choosing the Right Lid
Flat Lids
Flat lids are ideal for standard cold beverages where no additional toppings are required. They provide a secure fit and help prevent spills during transport.
Best For: Soft drinks, juice, iced coffee, and water.
Dome Lids
Dome lids provide additional space above the drink, making them ideal for beverages topped with whipped cream, foam, or other garnishes. They are commonly used for smoothies, frappés, and premium café drinks.
Best For: Smoothies, frappés, milkshakes, and drinks with whipped cream or extra toppings.
Our Recommendation
If your business serves a variety of cold drinks, stocking multiple cup sizes with matching flat and dome lids offers the greatest flexibility. For cafés and takeaway businesses, 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz cups typically cover the majority of customer requirements while allowing you to serve everything from soft drinks to premium smoothies and milkshakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plastic cup size is the most popular?
The most commonly used commercial sizes are 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz because they suit most cold beverage applications.
Can plastic cups be used for smoothies?
Yes. Smoothies are commonly served in 16oz and 20oz plastic cups, usually with dome lids to provide extra room for thicker drinks and toppings.
Which lid should I choose?
Flat lids are ideal for standard cold drinks, while dome lids are recommended for smoothies, milkshakes, frappés, and drinks topped with whipped cream.
Are plastic cups suitable for takeaway?
Yes. Plastic cups are specifically designed for takeaway beverages and are widely used by cafés, restaurants, food trucks, and catering businesses.