Plastic cups

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Buying guide to plastic cups

Plastic cups are a practical solution for bars, restaurants, events, catering, take away and professional food service. Within this category you can find everything from disposable plastic cups for cold drinks to reusable cups, compostable cups and models made of polycarbonate, SAN or PP designed for more intensive use.

Choosing the right cup affects presentation, ease of service, durability and cost per use. In this guide we explain which plastic cup to choose depending on the application, which capacities are most common, such as 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml or 500 ml, and which materials are best suited to each professional setting.

If you would like to see the full range, you can visit our category of disposable plastic cups, the selection of PLA compostable cups, our range of polycarbonate glasses, the reusable cups and glasses and the compatible cup lids.

 

Contents

• Which plastic cup to choose depending on use
• Disposable plastic cups
• PLA compostable cups
• Reusable plastic cups
• Polycarbonate and SAN glasses
• Which capacity to choose: 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml and 500 ml cups
• Shot glasses and special formats
• Lids for plastic cups
• Quick buying tips
• Frequently asked questions

 

Which plastic cup to choose depending on use

• Cold drinks, soft drinks and events: disposable plastic cups are a practical, lightweight and economical option.
• Take away service or drinks to go: it is worth considering cups with lids or models compatible with flat lids, dome lids or lids with a straw slot.
• Terraces, swimming pools, buffets and outdoor areas: reusable cups, especially in polycarbonate, SAN or PP, offer greater durability.
• Events where a compostable option is required: clear PLA cups are a very interesting alternative for cold drinks.
• Cocktails, mixed drinks or premium presentation: formats such as highball glasses, thick-base tumblers, goblets or embossed cups help enhance presentation.

 

Disposable plastic cups

Disposable plastic cups are widely used in hospitality and catering because they make service faster, reduce breakages and simplify replenishment. Within this range you will find transparent models in PS and crystal PS in different capacities and formats, from 200 ml cups to 400 ml cups, as well as special formats for shots or mixed drinks.

They are a good option when you need a clean presentation, volume purchasing and a cup designed for quick service. For cold drinks, tastings, parties, catering or events, transparent cups remain one of the most popular formats thanks to their versatility.

Transparent disposable cups for soft drinks, water and mixed drinks

If you are looking for a clear plastic cup for soft drinks, water, juices or mixed drinks, 200 ml, 300 ml and 400 ml models usually cover most needs. For taller presentations or long-drink formats, highball-style cups work very well in bars, events and cocktail service.

Goblets and special disposable plastic formats

In addition to the standard cup, within the plastic cups range you can also find goblet-style and short-serve formats that are very useful for wine, cava, sherry or shots. These are especially practical for catering, celebrations, tastings and events where a more refined presentation is required without giving up the convenience of single use.

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PLA compostable cups

Compostable cups are a very interesting alternative when you need a transparent cup for cold drinks and want to work with a material other than conventional plastic. In this range, PLA models stand out, making them particularly suitable for juices, smoothies, soft drinks, slush drinks or beverages served in take away format.

One of their main advantages is that they allow for a highly visual product presentation, which is especially useful when serving colourful drinks, layered beverages, toppings or ice. They can also be paired with flat lids, dome lids or lids with a slot to suit the service style.

Compostable cups by capacity

Within the PLA compostable cups range, you can choose from several sizes, from smaller formats such as 200 ml to larger options such as 400 ml and 575 ml. This makes it possible to match the cup to the type of drink and the actual serving size in your business.

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Reusable plastic cups

Reusable cups are an excellent choice for festivals, concerts, institutions, outdoor areas, catering, swimming pools, terraces and events where a more durable solution is required. In this category, cups made from PP stand out, along with other reusable ranges designed for hot or cold beverages.

If you are looking for a reusable plastic cup with a good balance between cost and functionality, polypropylene is a very practical option. You will find small capacities for tastings or shots, medium formats of 150 ml, 180 ml and 300 ml, as well as larger options of 500 ml. Some models are also customisable, making them an interesting option for events or branding activities.

Reusable PP cups for cold drinks

These models are designed for repeated use and work very well at events, bars, local festivals, concerts or services where constant replenishment needs to be reduced. They are also a good solution if you need hard plastic cups with a simple and functional presentation.

Reusable cups for hot drinks

If you also serve coffee, tea or other hot drinks, you can complete the range with reusable cups specifically designed for that purpose and their matching lids. They are very useful in offices, institutions, coffee corners and takeaway beverage services.

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Polycarbonate and SAN glasses

When a more refined presentation and superior durability are required, polycarbonate glasses and SAN models are an excellent choice. This type of glass is very common in buffets, hotels, catering, terraces, swimming pools, premium events and spaces where glass breakage needs to be avoided without compromising on appearance.

Within this family you will find stackable glasses, tumblers, highball glasses, beer glasses, embossed glasses, thick-base tumblers and other special formats. There are also models in different colours and finishes, making it possible to adapt the tableware to the image of each business.

Polycarbonate glasses for intensive use

Polycarbonate models are highly recommended when durability, strength and a more solid presentation are the priority. They work very well for bars, terraces, buffets and self-service areas.

SAN glasses: practical, lightweight and reusable

SAN glasses are another interesting alternative for environments where a lightweight, reusable and practical glass is needed. Within the range you can find formats for shots, medium-sized tumblers, mugs and larger-capacity models.

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Which capacity to choose: 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml and 500 ml cups

One of the most common questions when buying plastic cups is which capacity to choose. The answer depends on the type of drink, the service format and the image you want to convey.

• 200 ml cups: very practical for water, soft drinks, tastings, juices or quick service.
• 300 ml cups: one of the most versatile sizes for cold drinks, soft drinks and general use.
• 400 ml cups: a good option for mixed drinks, soft drinks with ice or takeaway beverages.
• 500 ml cups or similar: recommended for beer, large soft drinks, smoothies or drinks with ice. In your range there are similar options such as 480 ml, 500 ml, 530 ml, 560 ml or 575 ml.

If you are specifically looking for 500 ml cups, you can consider both reusable PP models and larger-capacity formats in polycarbonate, SAN or PLA, depending on the intended use.

Selection of large-capacity cups

These formats are very useful for beer, large soft drinks, mixed drinks, smoothies and drinks to go:

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Shot glasses and special formats

Shot glasses are essential for tastings, catering, events, cocktail service and bar use. Depending on the application, you can choose disposable PS models or reusable solutions in polycarbonate, SAN or PP. There are also double-capacity formats, which are very practical for different types of service.

Alongside shot glasses, your range also includes other special formats such as highball cups, thick-base tumblers, embossed cups or beer glass models, all very useful when a more refined presentation is required than a standard cup can offer.

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Lids for plastic cups

If you serve drinks to go, smoothies, slush drinks, coffees or soft drinks, it is worth completing the purchase with cup lids. Depending on the cup and the intended use, you can choose raised lids, flat lids, dome lids or lids with a slot. Choosing the right lid improves the user experience and makes service more practical.

For PLA compostable cups, for example, there are different compatible options for the 200 ml, 400 ml and 575 ml references. There are also lids for hot drink cups and other specific formats for coffee or takeaway service.

Lids for compostable cups and cold drinks

Lids for hot drink cups

You can find more options in our cup lids category.

 

Quick buying tips

1. Decide whether you need a disposable, reusable or compostable cup: this is the first decision and determines the rest of the purchase.
2. Choose the actual serving capacity: 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml or larger formats depending on the drink you serve.
3. Consider the usage environment: bar, buffet, catering, take away, terrace, poolside or event.
4. If you want a more premium image, pay attention to the format: a highball-style cup, goblet or embossed glass can greatly improve presentation.
5. Do not forget lids: for drinks to go, they make a real difference in convenience and functionality.
6. If you need customisation, review the available models: some reusable PP cups can be customised and may work very well for events or promotions.

 

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Frequently asked questions about plastic cups

 

 

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