Paper Coffee Cup Holders

Two Kinds of Holder, One Job

When people search for a paper coffee cup holder, they usually mean one of two things. The first is the band that wraps around a single cup, so a hot drink can be held without burning fingers. The second is a carrier: a folded paper piece with a handle or slots that lets one person carry two, three or four drinks at once. We make both, and the right choice depends on how your drinks leave the counter.

Wrap-style holders suit walk-up coffee bars, drive-thrus and any place where each customer takes one drink. Carrier-style holders suit offices sending one person on the coffee run, catering drop-offs, stadium concessions and family orders at a donut shop. Many cafes stock both, the wrap for every hot cup and the carrier at the register for multi-drink orders.

Both are printed with your logo, so they add branding to cups you already buy, even if those cups are plain stock.

Which Holder Style Fits Your Service

Holders are made to fit 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz and 20 oz cups, with custom sizing on request. One wrap size can often cover two neighboring cup sizes, such as 12 and 16 oz, because the band sits on the part of the cup where those sizes overlap. Tell us the cups you use, ideally with the brand and size printed on the bottom, and we will check the fit before printing.

Board ranges from 12pt to 18pt. Thinner board is easier to fold and store, while thicker board feels sturdier and lasts longer in a carrier that holds four drinks.

Printing a Small, Hardworking Surface

A cup holder is small, but it sits at eye level in the customer's hand for the whole time they drink. That makes it one of the most viewed pieces of print you can buy. Some practical tips for the design:

• Lead with a bold logo. The band is short, so a wide, horizontal logo reads best.
• Add one message that changes: a seasonal drink, a loyalty offer, or a QR code for your app.
• Use the inside of a wrap for a fun line or a thank-you note. It shows up when the customer slides it off.
• On carriers, put the logo on the handle and the side panels, since those face out when someone walks.
• Kraft board gives a cafe look with one or two dark ink colors. White board shows full-color art best.

CMYK, PMS, single-color and multicolor printing are all available. Gloss and matte finishes both work, and foil or embossing on a logo turns a holder into something people keep on their desk. For tips on what to look for in a print partner for this kind of item, our article on choosing a coffee sleeve supplier covers the main points.

Using Holders Behind the Counter

Wraps ship flat, which saves space under the counter. Keep a stack beside the espresso machine and slide one on as each hot drink is lidded. A wrap goes on fastest when the cup is already capped, so make it the last step before handing over.

Carriers also ship flat and fold up in a few seconds. Fold a handful before the morning rush so staff are not assembling them with a line at the register. For delivery orders, a carrier also keeps cups apart in the bag, which helps lids stay on.

Think about who takes the carrier home. Office coffee runs often end with the carrier sitting on a desk or in a meeting room for the rest of the morning, where a dozen coworkers can see it. That makes the side panels of a carrier worth a real message, not just a logo: your opening hours, a note that you take catering and group orders, or a QR code for ordering ahead. A wrap holder, by contrast, usually ends up in a car cup holder, so keep its message short.

If you'd rather sell a single cup with the band already in place, our printed paper coffee cup sleeves are the same idea in a continuous-wrap format sized for standard cups.

Ordering Custom Cup Holders

1. Tell us which cups the holders need to fit, and whether you want wraps, carriers or both.
2. Pick the board weight and finish.
3. Upload your logo and any message. Our design help is free.
4. Check the digital proof and, if you want, request a free sample to test fit on your cups.
5. After you approve, production takes 4 to 6 business days, with rush options available.

The minimum order is 100 holders, so you can try a short seasonal run. Shipping is free to the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia. To see other wraps and bands for hot and cold drinks, browse our custom beverage sleeves category.