Short answer: Coffee cup printing is a four-step process: upload artwork, approve a digital proof, cups are printed and formed, then shipped. Standard production is 10 business days from proof approval.
Step 1: Artwork
Your design is laid out on a die-line template, the flat shape of the cup before it is rolled and formed. Because printing happens while the board is flat, the design can cover the entire outer surface, edge to edge. Templates for each size are available on our product pages, and our template guide walks through the setup.
Step 2: Proofing
Before production, you receive a digital proof showing exactly how the flat artwork wraps the finished cup. This is where colours, alignment and text sizes get checked. Every order includes 2 free proofs; approving the proof is what starts the production clock.
Step 3: Printing and forming
Cups are printed in CMYK, full colour at no extra cost, on food-grade paperboard with a liquid-tight lining: standard PE, or plant-based PLA for compostable cups. After printing, the board is cut, rolled and formed into cups, then sleeved and packed into cartons. Single wall cups use one printed layer; double wall cups add a second outer wall with an insulating air gap.
Step 4: Delivery
Finished cups ship in sturdy cartons, with freight calculated at checkout by destination and order size. Standard production is 10 business days from proof approval; a rush service runs 5-7. See turnaround times in detail.
What affects the price?
Three things: quantity (tiers from 500 to 10,000, with per-cup price falling at each step), wall type (single or double), and material (standard or compostable). Full colour printing itself is included, there is no per-colour charge and no setup fee. Current prices for every combination are published on the printed coffee cups page.
Common questions
Can small runs be printed? The minimum is 500 cups, the smallest run that keeps per-cup printing economical.
Does full wrap cost more than a small logo? No. Coverage does not change the price, so use the space.
How do I check quality first? Order a sample pack and see the printing up close before you commit.