PP or PET Cups

There are two kinds of plastic cups – PP (Polypropylene) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) cups. The more economical and commonly used option is PP cups, which are made of a durable material that can resist temperatures up to 248°F (120°C). However, PP cups are not as transparent as PET cups, and they can feel flimsy and soft to the touch. They may also spill if you use a lid cover. PET cups, on the other hand, work well with cold drinks up to 176°F (80°C).

There are two main choices when using plastic cups for serving beverages:

PP – Polypropylene

PET – Polyethylene Terephthalate

Both are safe to drink from and are recyclable

PP Cups:

PP or Polypropylene Cups are the most popular type of plastic cups on the market today.  The main advantage of using PP cups is that they are cheaper than PET cups.

1,000 16oz PP cups costs about $60.00 while 1,000 PET cups costs about $90.00. PP cups are clear, resistant to flavor and odor transfer, and recyclable.

PP cups typically have a diameter of 95mm so be sure to get a sealing machine that seals 95mm cups.

PET Cups:

PET cups are clearer.  They are also more durable and resistant to damage.  For this reason, high-end drink shops will use them.  For example, Starbucks uses PET cups for their cold drinks.  This gives them the high-end image that they’re trying to achieve.

PET cups typically have a diameter of 98mm so be sure to upgrade to our Universal Sealer Machine to seal 98mm cups.

In order to determine the material your cups are made out of, you can take the following steps:

To determine the type of cups you have, examine the bottom of the cup to identify the material.

Picking the Right Sealer Machine

Our Cup Sealer Machine comes standard to seal 95mm PP Cups and can also be upgraded to seal the Universal Sealer model which can seal 98mm cups.

Cup Sealer Machine

PP and PET Sealing Film:

For example, PP cups are sealed with PP sealing film, while PET cups are sealed with PET sealing film.

How to Pick Cup Sealer Film

Where to Order Cups:

You can order PP and PET Cups here.

We also have custom cups and films that we can print with your logo on them.

Bottom Line:

Picking the right cups for your drink shop will be one of the most important decisions that you make.  It is much cheaper and easier to get it right the first time than having to go back and switch cups after you have already opened and put your logo on your cups.  Both cups are suitable choices for your drink shop.  Most people choose PP cups for their bubble tea shop but if you’re trying to appeal to the high end of the market then PET cups will be a better choice.