An ice cream cup is in the customer's hand for the entire treat, and in a lot of photos. Custom printed cups turn every scoop into marketing for your shop. Here's how to choose them.
Paper or plastic?
Paper ice cream cups are the most popular choice. Coated cardstock resists moisture, holds its shape and gives you a full wrap-around print surface. They suit scoop shops, gelato and frozen yogurt. Our paper cups use 230 g coated cardstock with your design printed all the way around.
Clear plastic dessert cups show off layered desserts, parfaits, sundaes and fruit. They're great when the dessert itself is the star.
Choose your sizes
Most shops offer two or three sizes that match their scoop sizes:
| Size | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 3–4 oz | Kids' scoop, tasting cup, single gelato |
| 5 oz | Single scoop, the most popular size |
| 8 oz | Double scoop, frozen yogurt |
| 12–16 oz | Sundaes, sharing cups, pints to go |
Start with your best seller. For most shops that's a 5 oz cup for single scoops and an 8 oz cup for doubles.
Do you need lids?
Lids matter if customers take dessert home or you sell pre-packed cups from a freezer.
- Flat lids stack well in freezers.
- Tall dome lids protect scoops, toppings and sundaes without squashing them. See clear dome lids for 4 oz cups.
Always match the lid to the cup's rim size.
Don't forget cones
If you serve cones, printed cone sleeves keep hands clean, catch drips and put your logo on every cone. They're one of the cheapest branded items you can buy.
Design ideas for ice cream cups
- Wrap the design all the way around. Cups are seen from every angle. Use a repeating pattern, a scene that continues round the cup, or a bold colour band.
- Use colours that match your flavours. Pastels for gelato, bright colours for frozen yogurt, rich darks for premium ice cream.
- Add a playful line. A short phrase near the rim gives people something to photograph.
- Keep your logo near the top. It stays visible when the cup is held.
- Design for seasons. Some shops print a summer design and a holiday design to keep things fresh.
Planning for summer
Ice cream demand is seasonal, so order ahead of your busy months. Standard production and delivery takes 4–5 weeks after you approve your proof, so order cups for summer in spring.
The takeaway
Pick paper for classic scoops or clear plastic for layered desserts, match sizes to your scoops, add lids for takeaway, and use cone sleeves to brand every cone. Then design cups that look great in every photo.
