Paper Cups โ€” Production Direct

Double Wall Paper Cups Packaging Specialist

Wholesale insulated double wall coffee cups โ€” 6oz to 22oz. Built-in air-gap insulation keeps drinks hot longer and the outer wall cool to hold. No sleeve needed.

6ozโ€“22ozFull Custom PrintingPE / PLA / AqueousMOQ 20K+ (Custom)
7 Sizes
Sizes Available
Up to 7
Print Colors
20,000 pcs
MOQ (Custom)
15โ€“25 Days
Lead Time
FSC Certified Barista holding a CupsPak Coffee branded double wall paper cup โ€” custom printed insulated coffee cups wholesale

Definition

What Is a Double Wall Paper Cup?

A double wall paper cup is a disposable cup constructed from two concentric layers of paperboard with an air gap trapped between them. This design โ€” also called a double-walled cup or insulated paper cup โ€” uses the air pocket as a thermal barrier.

Air is a poor conductor of heat. The trapped air gap between the inner and outer walls slows heat transfer through three mechanisms: conduction (direct contact), convection (air movement), and radiation (heat energy reflection). The result is a cup whose outer surface stays comfortable to hold even when filled with a hot drink โ€” no separate sleeve required.

Double wall cups are the premium choice for specialty coffee shops, hotels, and any brand that wants a cleaner presentation without the added cost and waste of a paper sleeve.

White 12oz double wall paper cup showing two-layer construction โ€” CupsPak
White 12oz double wall paper cup with PE coating. Two-layer construction with air gap insulation.
Kraft 16oz double wall paper cup โ€” natural brown double walled coffee cup
16oz kraft double wall paper cup with natural brown outer layer and built-in air gap insulation.

The Science

How Double Wall Insulation Works

Conduction Barrier

The air gap between the two paperboard layers prevents direct heat transfer from the hot inner wall to the outer surface. Your hand stays comfortable even with a 85ยฐC drink inside.

Convection Control

The sealed air pocket between the layers prevents air movement (convection currents), which would otherwise carry heat from the inner wall to the outer surface.

Radiation Reflection

The two paper layers reflect heat energy back toward the beverage, slowing the rate at which your drink cools โ€” keeping it at the right temperature for longer.

Comparison

Double Wall vs Single Wall Paper Cups

Feature Single Wall Double Wall โœ“
Construction 1 layer of paperboard 2 layers + air gap between them
Insulation None โ€” outer wall gets hot Built-in air-gap insulation
Sleeve Required? Yes โ€” needed for comfort No โ€” outer wall stays cool
Heat Retention Standard Superior โ€” drink stays warm longer
Outer Wall Temp Hot to touch Comfortable to hold
Presentation Standard Premium โ€” no sleeve clutter
Cost per Unit Lower Higher (but no sleeve cost)
Best For Low-cost high-volume Specialty coffee, premium brands

Need single wall cups instead? View Single Wall Paper Cups โ†’

Size Range

Double Wall Paper Cups โ€” All Sizes

7 sizes from 6oz to 22oz. All available in white and kraft, with PE, PLA, or aqueous coating.

6 oz (180 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 6 oz

6 oz (180 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ80 mm
Height 75 mm
Pcs / Case 1,000
WhiteKraft
Popular
8 oz (240 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 8 oz

8 oz (240 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ80 mm
Height 93 mm
Pcs / Case 1,000
WhiteKraft
10 oz (300 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 10 oz

10 oz (300 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ80 mm
Height 100 mm
Pcs / Case 1,000
WhiteKraft
Popular
12 oz (360 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 12 oz

12 oz (360 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ90 mm
Height 111 mm
Pcs / Case 1,000
WhiteKraft
Popular
16 oz (500 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 16 oz

16 oz (500 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ90 mm
Height 135 mm
Pcs / Case 500
WhiteKraft
20 oz (600 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 20 oz

20 oz (600 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ90 mm
Height 150 mm
Pcs / Case 500
WhiteKraft
22 oz (700 ml) double wall paper cup โ€” CupsPak 22 oz

22 oz (700 ml)

Rim Diameter ฮฆ90 mm
Height 170 mm
Pcs / Case 500
WhiteKraft

Double Wall Paper Cups: 6oz to 22oz โ€” Full Size Guide

Exact dimensions from factory catalog. Rim diameter, height, and pcs/box for all 7 standard sizes. Custom sizes available on request.

Size Volume Rim ร˜ Height Pcs / Box
6 oz 180 ml ฮฆ80 mm 75 mm 500
8 oz 240 ml ฮฆ80 mm 93 mm 500
10 oz 300 ml ฮฆ80 mm 100 mm 500
12 oz 360 ml ฮฆ90 mm 111 mm 500
16 oz 500 ml ฮฆ90 mm 135 mm 500
20 oz 600 ml ฮฆ90 mm 150 mm 500
22 oz 700 ml ฮฆ90 mm 170 mm 500

All sizes available in white and kraft. Custom sizes available on request. Pcs/box for stock cups (no printing).

Double wall paper cup size range 6oz to 22oz โ€” CupsPak size guide for wholesale buyers
CupsPak Double Wall Paper Cup Size Range โ€” 6oz to 22oz (White & Kraft)
Custom printed double wall paper cups with brand logos โ€” CupsPak flexo printing
Three custom branded double wall paper cups showing flexo printing. Up to 7 Pantone colors, full-wrap printing on outer wall.

Custom Printing

Custom Double Wall Paper Cups with Your Brand

Turn your custom double wall paper cups into a brand touchpoint. CupsPak offers full-wrap flexographic printing on the outer wall with up to 7 Pantone spot colors. The double wall construction provides a larger, cleaner print canvas compared to single wall cups with sleeves.

  • Up to 7 Pantone spot colors, full-wrap outer wall printing
  • Digital proof within 3 business days โ€” no artwork fees
  • Physical pre-production sample before bulk order
  • MOQ 20,000 pcs (custom print) / 1,000 pcs (stock cups)
  • White and kraft base available for different brand aesthetics

Coating Options

3 Barrier Coatings to Match Your Sustainability Goals

Select the barrier coating that matches your sustainability goals and market requirements.

PE Coating

Standard

Polyethylene (PE) coating is the most widely used barrier for hot drink paper cups. A thin PE film is laminated to the inner wall to prevent liquid absorption and leakage. Cost-effective and proven technology with decades of industry use.

Lowest cost per unit โ€” ideal for high-volume orders
Excellent moisture barrier โ€” prevents soaking and leakage
Compatible with all standard hot cup lids (PS, PP, CPLA)
Suitable for hot beverages up to 85ยฐC

Certifications

FDA 21 CFR, EU 10/2011 food contact compliant

Industries

Who Uses Double Wall Paper Cups?

Coffee Shops & Cafes

Double wall cups are the premium choice for specialty coffee shops. No sleeve needed โ€” cleaner presentation, lower per-cup cost when sleeve savings are factored in.

Coffee Shop Solutions

Restaurants & QSR

Fast-casual and QSR chains use double wall cups for hot soups, oatmeal, and premium hot drinks. Reduces customer complaints about hot cups.

Restaurant Solutions

Hotels & Corporate Catering

Premium double wall cups with custom printing for hotel in-room coffee service, conference catering, and executive dining.

Hotel Solutions

Supermarkets & Retail

Private-label double wall cups for in-store coffee stations and retail hot drink programs. Custom printed with retailer branding.

Retail Solutions

Vending & Convenience

Double wall cups for vending machines and convenience store hot drink dispensers. Consistent heat retention improves customer satisfaction.

Vending Solutions

Airlines & Catering

Lightweight double wall cups for in-flight hot beverage service. Superior insulation keeps drinks hot longer during service.

Airline Solutions

Why CupsPak

Double Wall Cups Wholesale You Can Trust

13+ Years Experience

Dedicated double wall cup production lines. Consistent quality across every order.

FSC ยท ISO 9001 ยท FDA

All certifications in place. Full documentation provided for every shipment.

3 Coating Options

PE, PLA-compostable, and aqueous โ€” choose the barrier that fits your market requirements and sustainability targets.

15โ€“25 Day Lead Time

Standard production for custom orders. Rush options available. Sea and air freight worldwide.

FAQ

Double Wall Paper Cups โ€” Frequently Asked Questions

What is a double wall paper cup?
A double wall paper cup is a disposable cup made from two concentric layers of paperboard with an air gap between them. According to Wikipedia, this insulated design โ€” sometimes called a double-walled cup โ€” uses the trapped air as a thermal barrier. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so it reduces heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation. The result: the outer wall stays comfortable to hold while the inner wall keeps your hot drink warm for longer. No sleeve is needed.
What is the difference between single wall and double wall paper cups?
Single wall paper cups have one layer of paperboard. They are lighter and lower cost, but the outer surface gets hot when filled with a hot drink โ€” requiring a separate sleeve for comfortable handling. Double wall paper cups have two layers of paperboard with an insulating air gap between them. The outer wall stays cool to the touch, no sleeve is needed, and the drink stays warm longer. Double wall cups cost more per unit but eliminate the sleeve cost and provide a cleaner, more premium presentation.
How does the air gap in a double wall cup work?
The air gap between the two paperboard layers acts as a thermal insulator. Air is a poor conductor of heat, which means it slows heat transfer in three ways: (1) Conduction โ€” the air gap limits direct heat transfer from the hot inner wall to the outer surface; (2) Convection โ€” the sealed layers prevent air movement, further reducing heat exchange; (3) Radiation โ€” the layers reflect heat energy back toward the beverage. This is the same principle used in double-glazed windows and thermos flasks.
What sizes are available for double wall paper cups?
CupsPak double wall paper cups are available in 7 sizes: 6oz (180ml), 8oz (240ml), 10oz (300ml), 12oz (360ml), 16oz (480ml), 20oz (600ml), and 22oz (660ml). All sizes are available in white and kraft, with PE, PLA, or aqueous coating.
What is the MOQ for custom double wall paper cups?
The minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 20,000 pcs per size for custom printed double wall cups. Plain white or kraft cups without printing (stock cups) are available from 1,000 pcs per size. Carton packing is 500 pcs per carton. Samples are available within 7โ€“10 business days.
Are double wall paper cups recyclable?
Double wall cups with PE coating are recyclable in facilities that accept PE-lined paper cups โ€” availability varies by region. Cups with aqueous (water-based) coating are recyclable in standard paper recycling streams. PLA-coated cups are industrially compostable (EN 13432 / ASTM D6400) but not recyclable in standard paper streams.
What printing options are available for double wall cups?
Double wall paper cups use flexographic (flexo) printing with up to 7 Pantone spot colors. Full-wrap printing is available on the outer wall. Digital proofs are provided within 3 business days. No artwork fees for standard reviews. Physical samples available before bulk production.
How long does production take for custom double wall paper cups?
Standard production lead time is 15โ€“25 business days after artwork approval and deposit payment. Rush orders (10โ€“15 days) are available for an additional fee. Shipping by sea (15โ€“30 days) or air (3โ€“7 days) depending on destination and urgency.

Ready to Order Double Wall Paper Cups?

Get a quote for custom or plain double wall cups. MOQ 20,000 pcs (custom printed) / 1,000 pcs (plain stock). 500 pcs/carton. Samples in 7โ€“10 days.

Get Free Quote