PP vs Paper Cups: Choosing Cups, Sizes and Sealing Film for Bubble Tea and Coffee
Quick answerUse PP (polypropylene) plastic cups for bubble tea, iced drinks and smoothies: they're clear, show off the toppings, and can be heat-sealed with film so drinks travel without leaking. Use paper cups (ideally triple-wall ripple) for hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate, which need insulation rather than a seal. For bubble tea, 500ml and 700ml are the standard regular and large sizes, with a 90-95mm rim to fit a cup sealing machine.
Cups are your most-reordered consumable, and the wrong choice shows up as leaking deliveries, burnt fingers or drinks that look flat on Instagram. Here's how the main types differ, how to choose sizes, and what each cup costs you per drink.
PP, hard PP/PET and paper cups
Standard PP cups
Polypropylene cups are the bubble tea standard: lightweight, clear enough to show layers and toppings, and compatible with heat-sealing film. They're the most economical option for high volume.
U-shape PP cups
U-shape cups have a rounded base and a wider body that photographs well and gives the drink a premium look, while still taking a 95mm seal.
Hard plastic (PP / PET) cups
Rigid, crystal-clear cups that hold their shape in the hand and don't crack in the sealer. They cost more per cup, but customers notice the difference and they suit premium menus.
Paper cups
Paper cups are built for hot drinks. Triple-wall ripple cups add an insulating outer layer, so no sleeve is needed and customers can hold a hot coffee comfortably. They take a fitted lid, not sealing film.
Choosing cup sizes
| Size | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 350ml / 12oz PP | Kids' size, small iced coffee, tasters |
| 500ml / 17oz PP | Regular bubble tea, smoothies |
| 600ml / 20oz PP | Large iced drinks, a middle size if you offer three |
| 700ml / 24oz PP | Large bubble tea, the most popular upsell |
| 8oz paper | Flat white, cortado, kids' hot chocolate |
| 10-12oz paper | Regular latte, cappuccino, tea |
| 16oz paper | Large latte, hot chocolate |
Most bubble tea shops run just two sizes, 500ml and 700ml. Fewer SKUs means less stock tied up and simpler pricing, and the 700ml upsell is where the margin is.
Sealing film vs lids
A cup sealing machine heat-seals a film across the cup rim. Customers punch through it with a wide straw, the drink can be shaken and carried without leaking, and delivery orders arrive intact. To seal, the cup must have a rim the machine and film are designed for: Keloo's film fits 90-95mm rims, the standard for PP and PET bubble tea cups. Hot drinks in paper cups use fitted lids instead.
Cost per cup
| Product | Pack | Price | Per cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 350ml PP Cups | 1,000 | £59.99 | 6.0p |
| 500ml PP Cups | 1,000 | £69.99 | 7.0p |
| 600ml PP Cups | 1,000 | £74.99 | 7.5p |
| 700ml PP Cups | 1,000 | £79.99 | 8.0p |
| U-Shape PP Cups 500ml | 1,000 | £69.99 | 7.0p |
| U-Shape PP Cups 700ml | 1,000 | £79.99 | 8.0p |
| Hard Plastic Cups 700ml | 500 | £84.99 | 17.0p |
| Ripple Paper Cups 8oz | 500 | £44.99 | 9.0p |
| Ripple Paper Cups 10oz | 500 | £49.79 | 10.0p |
| Ripple Paper Cups 12oz | 500 | £44.99 | 9.0p |
| Ripple Paper Cups 16oz | 500 | £64.99 | 13.0p |
| Cup Sealing Film | 3,000 seals | £24.99 | 0.8p |
Prices correct at time of writing; per-cup figures exclude VAT and delivery. Sealing film is cheaper in 5- and 10-roll packs.
500ml PP Cups x1000
£69.99
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U-Shape PP Cups 700ml
£79.99
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Ripple Paper Cups 12oz
£44.99
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Cup Sealing Film Roll
£24.99
View product →Frequently asked questions
Can you put hot drinks in PP cups?
Polypropylene tolerates warm drinks better than PET, but for hot coffee and tea a paper cup is safer and more comfortable to hold. Use PP for cold and iced drinks.
What rim size do bubble tea sealing machines use?
Most bubble tea sealers and films are designed for 90-95mm rims. Check your sealer's specification and buy cups and film to match.
Are PP cups recyclable?
Polypropylene is recyclable (resin code 5), but whether it's collected depends on your local council and waste contractor. Ask your contractor what they accept.
How many cups should a new bubble tea shop order?
A box of 1,000 in each of your two main sizes is a sensible opening order for most shops, then reorder based on your first few weeks of sales.
Do I need a sealing machine?
Not strictly, but for takeaway and delivery it is the most reliable way to stop spills, and it lets staff shake drinks in the cup. At under 1p a seal, the running cost is small.
Stock up on cups and packaging
PP, U-shape and paper cups, sealing film and carry bags, delivered across the UK.
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