Contents

1. Introduction: Why Small-Batch Custom Packaging Makes Sense

2. Paper Cup vs PET Cup: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

3. Single-Wall vs Double-Wall: When Does It Matter?

4. Understanding Cup Sizes: oz to mm Conversion Guide

5. Aluminum Foil Bags: MOQ, Thickness, and Sealing Options

6. How to Place a Custom Order at FHQPAK

1. Why Small-Batch Custom Packaging Makes Sense

For years, custom-printed packaging was a privilege reserved for large chains and well-funded brands. Factory minimum order quantities (MOQs) of 50,000 or even 100,000 units meant that independent cafés, startup beverage brands, and regional restaurant groups had two choices: pay for more stock than they could ever use, or settle for generic white cups with no brand identity.

That gap in the market has become FHQPAK’s core mission.

The problem with high MOQs

• Capital tied up in inventory. 50,000 custom cups at $0.05 each is $2,500 in packaging alone — before you’ve sold a single drink.
• No room to test new designs. Seasonal promotions, new product launches, and rebrands are impossible when you’re committed to one design for 12+ months.
• Waste risk. If your business pivots, closes a location, or updates branding mid-run, you’re left with thousands of useless cups.

The small-batch advantage

FHQPAK was built specifically for buyers who need flexibility. Our MOQ starts at 500 pieces for standard paper cups — low enough for a neighborhood café to test a seasonal design, high enough to get professionally printed, food-safe packaging that matches your brand standards.

• Start from 500 pieces on standard single-wall and double-wall paper cup sizes
• Full 4-color custom printing available from 500 pcs with no printing plate setup fee for orders of 5,000+
• 7–15 business day turnaround from artwork approval to shipment
• No hidden fees — pricing is transparent by quantity tier (see tables in Section 3)

2. Paper Cup vs PET Cup: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

The most common question buyers ask: should I use paper or plastic (PET) cups? The honest answer is that it depends entirely on your drink and your brand positioning. Neither is universally better.

Full comparison

Choose paper cups when:

• Your primary product is a hot beverage — coffee, tea, hot chocolate, matcha lattes
• Brand identity matters more than product visibility — you want full-surface printing
• You want to signal eco-consciousness (paper has better consumer perception than plastic)
• You’re operating a café, coffee kiosk, or hotel lobby with sit-in and takeaway service

Choose PET cups when:

• You sell cold drinks — bubble tea, smoothies, cold brew, iced tea, fresh juice
• The drink itself is part of the appeal — customers want to see layers, colors, and toppings
• You operate in a warm climate where cold drinks dominate year-round
• You need a larger volume at lower per-unit cost (PET is generally cheaper per cup)

3. Single-Wall vs Double-Wall: When Does It Matter?

Once you’ve decided on paper cups, the next choice is the wall construction. This is one of the most misunderstood decisions in café procurement — and it has meaningful cost and customer experience implications.

Single-wall paper cups

Construction: One layer of PE-coated paperboard, typically 190–260 gsm.

• Best for: Cold drinks, short-hold hot drinks (under 15 minutes), low-cost branded cups, vending machines
• Heat performance: Gets warm quickly — customers usually need a sleeve or double-cupping for hot drinks
• Cost: Lower. At FHQPAK, single-wall 8oz cups start at approximately $0.034 per cup at 10K+ units
• MOQ at FHQPAK: From 500 pieces

Double-wall paper cups

Construction: Two concentric layers of paperboard with an air gap between them. The air pocket acts as insulation.

• Best for: Espresso drinks, drip coffee, hot tea — any beverage served above 65°C
• Heat performance: Keeps hands comfortable for 20–30 minutes without a sleeve. Better heat retention for the drink.
• Cost: 15–20% more than single-wall. At FHQPAK, double-wall 8oz starts at $0.065 (1K–2K units) down to $0.034 at 50K+ units
• MOQ at FHQPAK: From 500 pieces on standard sizes

FHQPAK double-wall pricing reference

Note: Prices above are for 4-color process printing. Spot colors add ¥300 RMB per color. Matte lamination available for 5,000+ orders. Inner cup printing adds ¥300 RMB.

The verdict

For a specialty coffee shop where brand experience matters: double-wall, always. For a quick-service restaurant where cost is the driver and hot drinks move fast: single-wall with a printed sleeve is a cost-effective alternative. For cold drinks: single-wall is sufficient — the cup doesn’t need to insulate.

4. Understanding Cup Sizes: oz to mm Conversion Guide

One of the most confusing parts of ordering disposable cups internationally is the unit inconsistency. US buyers think in ounces. European buyers use centiliters or milliliters. Chinese factories (including FHQPAK) specify dimensions in millimeters. And “12oz” in the US is not the same as “12oz” in Europe.

Paper cup size conversion table (single-wall and double-wall)

The 90mm standard

Notice that 8oz, 10oz, 12oz (EU), 16oz, and 22oz cups all share a 90mm top diameter. This is the café industry standard — it means a single lid design fits your entire hot drink range. FHQPAK’s 90mm coffee lids (flat and sip-through) are compatible with all these cups.

PET cup sizes by diameter series

How to read FHQPAK product codes

FHQPAK product codes follow a consistent format. Example: “98-400ml-14oz” means:

• 98 = Top diameter in mm
• 400ml = Liquid capacity in milliliters
• 14oz = Approximate US fluid ounce equivalent

This format appears on all PET cup SKUs and makes cross-referencing straightforward.

5. Aluminum Foil Bags: MOQ, Thickness & Sealing Options

Aluminum foil bags are the standard for dry food products, coffee beans, tea, protein powder, snacks, and pharmaceutical packaging that requires an oxygen and moisture barrier. FHQPAK supplies three main structure types, each suited to different applications.

Structure types explained

Bag styles

• 3-side seal (three-edge seal): Flat pouch sealed on three sides. Simple, low-cost, stacks well. Ideal for single-serve sachets, tea bags, sample packs.
• Stand-up pouch (doypack): Has a gusset at the bottom allowing the bag to stand upright on shelf. Premium presentation. Ideal for coffee beans, protein powder, pet food. Add a zip-lock re-seal for consumer convenience.
• Back-seal (pillow bag): High-speed automated production. Common for single-use products. Price competitive at high volumes.

Thickness guide

• 120 μm (4.72 mil): Standard weight. Suitable for most dry food and personal care applications. Covers sizes up to 22×30 cm.
• 130 μm (5.12 mil): Medium-duty. Better puncture resistance. Common for larger pouches and heavier products (coffee, nuts).
• 140 μm (5.51 mil): Heavy-duty. For larger bags (28×40 cm and above) and products requiring extra protection during shipping.
• 150 μm (5.91 mil): Premium weight. For high-value contents or harsh shipping environments.

FHQPAK pricing: Pure aluminum 3-side seal (USD)

Stand-up pouch prices are approximately 20–30% higher than 3-side seal. Metalized PET (VMPET) is approximately 15% lower than pure aluminum. Prices do not include printing, taxes, or shipping.

Printing on foil bags

FHQPAK supports rotogravure printing (standard for flexible packaging) and digital printing for short runs. Key specs:

• Colors: Up to 8-color process printing
• Surface finish: Gloss, matte, or soft-touch lamination
• Features available: zip-lock reseal, tear notch, hang hole, transparent window, rounded corners
• File formats: AI, PDF, CDR accepted. FHQPAK provides a dieline template upon request.

6. How to Place a Custom Order at FHQPAK

FHQPAK has streamlined the custom order process for buyers who may not have placed a factory order before. Here is the complete process from first contact to delivery.

Step 1: Request a quote

Contact FHQPAK via fhqpak.com with the following information:

• Product type: paper cup / PET cup / aluminum foil bag
• Size and capacity: e.g., 8oz double-wall paper cup OR 280ml PET cup with 90mm top diameter
• Quantity: exact quantity or quantity range
• Artwork: if available. If not, indicate that design is TBD.
• Delivery address: city and country for shipping cost estimate

Response time: within 1 business day. Quote valid for 30 days.

Step 2: Artwork and dieline

Once you confirm the product specs:

• FHQPAK sends a product-specific dieline template (PDF or AI format)
• Your designer applies your artwork to the template
• FHQPAK reviews the artwork for print-readiness (bleed, resolution, color mode)
• Review turnaround: 1–2 business days

Step 3: Digital proof and approval

FHQPAK sends a digital proof (PDF) showing the artwork laid out on the actual product shape. Review carefully for:

• Color accuracy — note that screen colors differ from print output; request a Pantone reference if exact color matching is critical
• Text and logo positioning
• Barcode readability (if applicable)
• Sign off digitally via email. Production begins only after written approval.

Step 4: Payment

Standard payment terms: 50% deposit before production, 50% before shipment. Wire transfer (T/T) is the standard method. PayPal and credit card are available for orders under $3,000 USD.

Step 5: Production and lead time

Step 6: Shipping

FHQPAK ships from Guangdong, China. Standard shipping options:

• Sea freight (FCL/LCL): Most cost-effective for orders over 3 CBM. Transit time: 15–35 days depending on destination.
• Air freight: Faster (3–7 days). Cost-effective for small, urgent orders.
• Express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS): For samples and small test orders. 3–5 days worldwide.

FHQPAK provides full shipping documentation including commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. For EU buyers: REACH compliance documentation is available on request.

Samples

FHQPAK can provide:

• Stock samples: Unprinted standard-size cups. Shipped free of charge (buyer pays courier).
• Custom print samples: Printed samples from your artwork. Small production run of 50–100 pcs. Cost and timeline quoted on request.