Iced drinks are made for the camera. A clear cup shows off layers of espresso and milk, bright smoothies and chewy boba pearls, and your logo sits right on top of it all. Here's how to choose custom cold cups that look as good as what's inside.

Choose your material

PET (#1 plastic)

The classic crystal-clear cold cup. PET is rigid, crack-resistant, BPA-free and recyclable. It's the most popular choice for iced coffee and smoothies. Our 16 oz recyclable plastic cups take up to six print colours.

PP (#5 plastic)

Polypropylene cups are tougher and slightly flexible, and stand up to repeated use. They come in clear or frosted, and frosted PP feels premium in the hand. It's a favourite for boba and bubble tea shops. See premium PP cups.

PLA (compostable)

Plant-based PLA cups look like PET but are designed for commercial composting. They're a good fit if your area has organics collection or your brand is built on sustainability.

Pick your sizes

Size Typical use
12 oz Kids' drinks, small iced coffee, tastings
16 oz The standard iced coffee, smoothie and boba size
20–24 oz Large drinks, value sizes, fruit teas

Most shops start with 16 oz and add a large size once they know demand.

Flat lid or dome lid?

  • Flat sip-through lids are best for iced coffee and teas. They stack, travel well and often fit a straw slot.
  • Dome lids leave room for whipped cream, cold foam and toppings, perfect for frappés and dessert drinks. Some cups come with dome lids included.

Always check lid diameter. Lids are sized to the cup rim (for example 98 mm), so order matching lids for the cups you choose.

Don't forget straws

Boba needs wide straws. Iced coffee and smoothies need standard straws. Compostable PLA straws pair well with a sustainable cup choice.

Designing for a clear cup

Clear cups are different from paper cups because the drink becomes part of your design.

  1. Use fewer, bolder colours. One or two colours look crisp on clear plastic and keep costs down.
  2. Think about contrast. A white logo disappears against a milky latte. A dark logo vanishes in cold brew. Test your design against the drinks you sell most.
  3. Leave the drink visible. A band, badge or small logo lets the colours of the drink do the work.
  4. Add your handle. An Instagram handle on the cup invites people to tag you in photos.

Branding on a budget

If you're not ready to print cups, start with branded stickers or labels to seal lids or mark drink flavours. Then move to printed cups for your best-selling size when volume grows.

The takeaway

Choose PET for clear and classic, PP for tough and premium, or PLA for compostable. Start with 16 oz, match your lids and straws, and design with the drink in mind. Then pick your cup and design it in the PakGenie studio.