Introduction
Frozen desserts such as ice cream, frozen yoghurt and sundaes are sold in disposable containers suitable for the purpose. Paper ice cream cups are made of food-grade safe material, available in a variety of sizes and with an optional environmentally friendly coating, and have become the mainstream packaging for dessert shops, supermarkets and parties. This article provides a detailed discussion on paper ice cream cups including what is paper ice cream cup, how is paper ice cream cup made, types of paper ice cream cup, applications of paper ice cream cup, key points for choosing paper ice cream cup and paper ice cream cup VS plastic ice cream cup, which helps businesses to understand quickly the whole process of selection, procurement and customisation.
1. What is paper ice cream cup?
Paper ice cream cups are the disposable paper bowls used in the shop to serve ice cream, frozen yoghurt, handmade Italian ice cream, sorbet and other frozen treats. They are paper containers made especially for food use and they have a waterproof coating on the inside so the paper wont get soft and leak when soaked in ice water. They come in various sizes and designs and can be printed with the logo of the shop.
The cup is made of food-grade safe cardboard, with a weight between 210 and 350g per square metre, and is mainly made from virgin wood pulp, so it is completely safe to contact with cold drinks. The overall shape is round with a flat bottom for stability and the rim is rolled. It is comfortable to hold & the matching lid fits perfectly & does not cut your hand.
According to different interior waterproof coatings, there are mainly three types on the market. We have three kinds of coating. The first is PE polyethylene coating which is very cost-effective. The second is PLA polylactic acid coating which is made from plant-based raw materials and is more environmentally friendly and compostable. The third is water-based coating which is easier to recycle and is often favoured by stores who value environmentally friendly practices. It can be for dine-in or takeaway and is capable of serving different desserts.
2. Method of making paper ice cream cups
The process of making ice cream paper cups is of interest to many shop owners. When you know the whole process of production, you can find out how sturdy the cups are, and you can differentiate between levels of environmental friendliness. The process of making them is not complicated, they are all made on standard machines, with a clear process.
(1) Feeding paper and preparing material
The factory prepares food-grade cardboard in advance, and the pattern printing and cutting are done in advance. The forming machine is the basis of the production process and the workers work in cooperation with the equipment to feed the qualified cardboard into the forming machine smoothly.
(2) Forming of cup bodies.
It is wrapped around a special mould to form it. The flattened paper is bent and gathered to form a rounded cup shape.
(3)Sticky side
The machine heats and softens the seams , then presses the seams together with high temperature and pressure to effectively seal the gaps . This way the cup is less likely to crack easily .
(4)Close the bottom of the cup
Each circle of paper fits perfectly into the bottom of the cup, and the machine pushes it down tightly to seal any gaps so that even ice water won’t leak out.
(5) Smoothening the edge of the cup
The rim of the cup is turned outwards, so that the lid fits closely.
(6) Pile and tidy up
After all the processes are done, the qualified paper cups will be neatly stacked automatically, then packaged, sealed and stored in the warehouse, waiting to be delivered to different stores.
There are two kinds of waterproof process for paper cup, old and new. In the past, paper cups were made water resistant by waxing the paper. The mainstream technology now is extrusion coating, the waterproof film is directly laminated on the cardboard. This is far better waterproofing than waxed paper. At the same time, more environmentally friendly materials are available, better meeting the current operational needs of dessert shops.
3. Classification of paper ice cream cups
3.1 Classification by capacity
What is the capacity of a standard ice cream cup? Paper ice cream cup sizes range from mini to extra-large:
| capacity | milliliters | Applicable Scenarios |
| 2 oz paper ice cream cups with lids | ~60 ml | Minimal sample |
| 3 oz paper ice cream cups / 3 oz paper ice cream cup with lid | ~90 ml | Sample size, children’s size |
| 3.5 oz paper ice cream cups | ~100 ml | Sample packs, small portions of desserts |
| 4 oz paper ice cream cups / 4 oz ice cream paper cups | ~120 ml | Single scoop ice cream |
| 4 oz paper ice cream cups with lids | ~120 ml | Takeout single ball pack |
| 4 oz black ice cream paper cups | ~120 ml | High-end brand single ball pack |
| 4 ounce red paper ice cream cup | ~120 ml | Holiday promotional single ball pack |
| 5 oz paper ice cream cups | ~150 ml | Standard single ball pack |
| 6 oz paper ice cream cups | ~180 ml | Standard single scoop, frozen yogurt |
| 6 oz paper ice cream cups with lids | ~180 ml | Standard takeout packaging |
| 8 oz paper ice cream cups | ~240 ml | Standard single ball (most popular) |
| 8 oz paper ice cream cups with lids | ~240 ml | Regular takeout packaging |
| 10 oz paper ice cream cups | ~300 ml | Large single scoop with toppings |
| 12 oz paper ice cream cups / 12 ounce ice cream paper cups | ~355 ml | Double ball, sundae |
| 12 oz white paper ice cream cups | ~355 ml | Brand-customized double-ball packaging |
| 16 oz paper ice cream cups | ~475 ml | Extra Large Dessert |
| 16 oz white paper ice cream cups | ~475 ml | Brand-customized large-sized packaging |
| 20 oz paper ice cream cups | ~600 ml+ | Share packs, large takeout portions |
3.2 Classification Based on Coating Type
– PE-coated paper: cheap, moisture-proof and durable, but not compostable.
– PLA-coated paper: bioplastic liner made from plants and compostable in commercial composting facilities – Coated paper: Made from water, 100% recyclable along with the paper, ideal for brands that wish to be sustainable.
3.3 Colour classification
– Ice cream cups white paper: Classic and versatile, will fit all brands.
– Blue paper ice cream cups: Cool and great for a summer theme.
– Pink paper ice cream cups: Cute and sweet for a girly look.
– Red paper ice cream cups: bright, eye-catching and perfect for promotional events.
– Brown paper ice cream cups: Eco-friendly and natural, perfect for organic/handmade brands.
3.4. Classification by lid type
-Paper ice cream cups with lids: Use flat plastic lids (PET or PS) to ensure a tight seal, perfect for takeaway.
-Paper ice cream cups with dome lids: Domed plastic lids (PET or PS) with a raised profile which allow for toppings such as whipped cream or fruit sauces.
-Paper ice cream cup lids: 100% paper-based material, flat or slightly arched shape; recyclable and compostable, offering an environmentally-friendly alternative.
4. The main uses of paper ice cream cups
Paper ice cream cups have become a must-have disposable packaging material in the ice cream and dessert industry for several reasons, including being eco-friendly and safe, lightweight and visually appealing, cost-effective, and highly versatile. They can be used in a variety of situations such as offline stores, retail supermarkets and commercial activities and have a very broad scope of market applications. The specific application scenarios are as follows:
4.1 Ice Cream and Gelato Parlours:
Ice cream shops are the biggest consumer of paper cups. These work for anything from upscale ice cream to artisanal Italian gelato. Shops can choose different sizes according to need, suitable for dine-in and takeaway. Our durable cups are leak-proof and melt-proof so that the drinks won’t spill during delivery, and the customer experience is better—so they are essential packaging for dessert shops.
4.2 Frozen Yoghurt Stores:
Paper cups are also popular in frozen yoghurt shops, where self-service and portion-based sales are common. In the self-serve area, there is a full selection of cups of different sizes for customers to take what they need. Cups are clean and refreshing and suit the style of light desserts, they are convenient and hygienic to use and provide precise measurements when selling in fixed quantities.
4.3 Food & Beverage Services Ice Cream Cups (Disposable Paper)
Disposable paper cups are easy to carry and can be thrown away after use, no need to recycle. “They are great for restaurant dessert sales and takeaway. Paper is more environmentally friendly than plastic cups, has a better texture, does not add weight during delivery, is sealed to prevent melting, and is suitable for both short and long distance delivery. They solve the dessert takeaway packaging problem and the businesses love them.
4.4 Retail: Supermarkets and Retail Take-Home Cups (Retail Takeaway Cups) Supermarket-specific takeaway paper cups are the main packaging for retail channels to pack family size or small portions of frozen ice cream. These paper cups are very popular during hot summer months, when a lot of people make desserts at home and buy ice cream. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.81% between 2025 and 2030, which makes it a promising sector for the paper cup industry.
4.5 Events & Partys: small paper ice-cream cups
Mini paper ice cream cups are perfect for corporate events, company team building events and family parties. The cups are small, clean and portable so they are safe for children to use. They are also great for tastings of new products or for plating desserts for events. Unit price is low. Bulk purchase is allowed. Easy to meet the needs for unexpected dessert supply.
4.6 Brand Promotion: Custom Paper Ice Cream Cups
Customised ice cream paper cups are a great advertising result. You can print their logo, design, slogan on the cups for customised packaging. The paper cups that go with the desserts to the customers become mobile, offline advertisements. This cost-effective method helps increase brand exposure, store awareness and drives more customers into the store.
5. How to select paper ice cream cups
Choosing the right paper ice cream cups This is among the most common questions asked by ice cream shop owners, food service buyers and event planners. When selecting the right product, it’s important to think about the following factors:
5.1 Matching Capacity
Select the proper paper ice cream cup sizes for your menu and serving sizes. Small paper ice cream cups (3-4 oz): great for tastings and children’s servings Medium paper ice cream cups (6-9 oz): great for standard single to double scoops Large paper ice cream cups (10-16 oz): great for sundaes and shareable portions The most popular regular size is 8 oz paper ice cream cups.
5.2 Materials and Coatings
The durability, leak-proofness and eco-friendliness of paper cups are directly influenced by the material of paper cups.
The cup body should be made of 250 ~ 350 grams of food-grade cardboard, which will not get soft when frozen at minus ten degrees Celsius.
PE coatings are inexpensive but hard to recycle.
PLA coatings allow for composting and are environmentally friendly.
Water-based coatings are best in sustainability and are easily recyclable.
5.3 Selecting a Lid
Delivery situations call for paper ice cream cups with lids. Paper ice cream cups with dome lids can contain whipped cream and toppings.
5.4. Design and Customisation
The design of paper cups has a direct influence on the overall image of a store.
Custom printing is available to print your own logo and brand colour scheme on the cup.
Customised paper cups can also add to a customer’s positive buying experience.
The minimum order is 50,000 pieces. All specs can be printed in full colour.
6.Ice Cream Cups: Paper vs. Plastic, Which Is Better?
The choice between paper cups and plastic cups is always so hard when you start an ice cream shop. Below I will go into the advantages and disadvantages of both types of containers.
Let us begin with the advantages of paper ice cream cups. They are made out of renewable wood pulp, with recyclable and compostable options, making it easier to create an eco-friendly store image. The print quality is great, with logos and special designs clearly visible, perfect for brand promotion. They also insulate better than plastic, preventing condensation and keeping ice cream colder longer. Younger customers are increasingly likely to shop at eco-friendly stores, and paper cups are more likely to appeal to them.
Paper cups have their downsides, too. In humid conditions they tend to soften and even leak. The inside walls are covered with PE or PLA to avoid water damage, which makes it more difficult to recycle. Paper cups for similar sizes are more expensive to source. Also, paper cups are opaque so you cannot see the layers and pretty colour combinations of ice cream very well.
Let’s have a look at the benefits of plastic ice cream cups . They’re super waterproof so you can fill them with as much ice or water as you want and they won’t warp or anything. The PET material is transparent, so the ice cream is fully visible. Buying in bulk results in lower unit prices and better cost effectiveness.
But plastic cups have obvious disadvantages. They are brittle at low temperatures and tend to crack during delivery. They look cheap and do not fit the image of a high-end dessert shop. Most plastics are not naturally biodegradable and pollute the environment when discarded. At present, the use of plastic cups is declining in popular dessert and restaurant establishments because they are much less suitable for many cases than paper cups.
Conclusion
Paper ice cream Cups are practical, attractive and environmentally friendly, ideal for everything from tastings and dine-in service to takeaway, retail sales and parties. Whether for a new shop or a chain brand, you can easily choose the right size and coating based on portion size, budget and sustainability requirements. Controlling costs and enhancing your store’s reputation Compostable and recyclable paper cups are becoming the mainstream choice as eco-conscious consumption grows. Whether you are ready to open a new store, improve your packaging, develop export markets or bulk purchase for an event, visit the Haokelao website and talk to our online customer service to get a customised ice cream cup solution.
FAQ
1. Are paper cups for ice cream eco-friendly?
The environmental friendliness depends on the coating and the materials. PE-coated cups are strong and cheap, but are difficult to recycle in normal recycling systems. PLA-coated and water-based coated cups are more environmentally friendly alternatives, made from plant-based materials that will break down in commercial composting facilities. When you shop, look for certifications that say “compostable” or “plastic-free.”
2. How long do the paper cups keep ice cream?
These are best used within 18-24 months. They should be stored in a dry place, away from direct light, or the paper may become damp and soft or the coating may deteriorate.
3. The coating on the inner wall of the paper cup, is it safe for human health?
Yes, it’s safe. Food-grade PE and PLA coatings meet FDA or EU standards for food safety, and do not leach harmful substances at typical operating temperatures.
4. Do paper ice cream cups get soggy or leak?
Well made paper cups have a waterproof inner coating, and are not going to get soggy or leak when you use them for ice cream in normal circumstances. However, the paper structure may be softened gradually when exposed to high temperature or long soaking in liquid (e.g. melted ice cream).
5. Can I use paper ice cream cups for hot foods?
Recommended against. These cups are made mainly for cold food and beverages, as the heat resistance of the paper thickness and coating are not enough to withstand hot food at high temperatures. Using them for hot water or soup may cause the cup body to deform or may increase the risk of coating degradation.
About The Author：
Jason Fu
Hi, I’m Jason Fu, General Manager, Marketing Director, and SEO Expert at Haokelao. With over 20 years in the paper food packaging industry, I bring deep expertise in export trade and a strong passion for SEO and marketing. Whether your questions are about paper food packaging products, or marketing strategies, I’m here to help and exchange ideas. Let’s connect!
