Should You Use Single or Double Coated Paper Cups?

Your cups are getting soggy with cold drinks. Choosing the right coating is confusing, and using the wrong one costs you money and customer trust. Let me simplify it.

Use single coated cups¹ for hot drinks like coffee and tea. Use double coated cups² for cold drinks like iced coffee, soda, and smoothies to prevent the cup from getting soft and weak due to condensation³.

When you are choosing paper cups, you think about size and design. But the most critical choice is often the one you cannot easily see: the coating. Getting this choice right prevents soggy cups⁴ and messy drips. It ensures your beverage is enjoyed exactly as you intended. As someone who has produced millions of both types of cups for businesses in over 80 countries, I am here to make this choice simple and clear for you.

What Does 'Coating' on a Paper Cup Actually Mean?

You see terms like "PE coated⁵" but you are not sure what it means. This confusion makes it hard to choose the right cup for your business confidently.

The coating is a thin, waterproof layer of PE or PLA plastic⁶. A single coated cup has this layer on the inside only. A double coated cup has this waterproof layer on both the inside and the outside.

The "coating" on a paper cup is an ultra-thin layer of Polyethylene (PE). There is also a compostable alternative called Polylactic Acid (PLA). The main job of this layer is to make the paperboard waterproof. Without it, the paper would just absorb your drink and fall apart. The difference between single and double coated is all about where we apply this crucial layer.

The Raincoat Analogy

I find it easiest to think of it like this: a single coated cup has a raincoat on the inside. A double coated cup wears a raincoat on both the inside and the outside.

• Single Coated Cup: This cup has a waterproof layer on the inside to hold the liquid. The exterior of the cup remains natural, uncoated paperboard.
• Double Coated Cup: This cup is sealed from the inside to hold the drink, and it is also sealed on the outside to protect it from moisture in the air.

Here is a simple table to show the difference:

Why Do Cold Drinks Need a Double Coated Cup?

You put a cold drink in a paper cup and it started "sweating." The cup got soft, and your beautiful logo was ruined by the moisture.

Cold drinks cause condensation³ on the outside of the cup. A double coated cup has an outer waterproof layer that blocks this moisture, keeping the paper firm and strong. A single coated cup gets soggy from the outside in.

This is where the choice becomes critical for your customer's experience. The reason is condensation³. When you pour a very cold drink into a cup, the temperature difference with the outside air causes moisture to form on the surface. We call this "sweating."

The Performance of a Single Coated Cup

When a single coated cup sweats, that moisture soaks directly into the outer layer of uncoated paper. This immediately begins to weaken the cup's structure. The paper becomes soft, feels unpleasant to hold, and can even start to lose its shape. It also ruins your custom printing, making your brand look messy. This is a product failure⁷.

The Superiority of a Double Coated Cup

When a double coated cup sweats, the story is completely different. The outer PE or PLA coating acts as a waterproof shield. The condensation³ still forms, but it sits as harmless beads of water on the surface. It cannot penetrate and weaken the paper. The cup remains firm and strong, your branding⁸ stays perfect, and your customer's hands stay clean and dry. For hot beverages, however, a single coated cup is supreme. The outer paper provides a natural, comfortable grip, and condensation³ is not an issue.

Is a Double Coated Cup More Expensive?

You need to manage your costs, so a cheaper cup is tempting. But buying the wrong cup to save a few cents can cost you more through customer complaints⁹ and waste.

Yes, double coated cups² are slightly more expensive because they use more material and an extra manufacturing step. However, this small cost is a necessary investment for cold drinks to prevent product failure⁷ and protect your brand's reputation.

Naturally, a cup that requires more material and an extra step in the manufacturing process¹⁰ will have a different cost. As a manufacturer, I want to be transparent about this. Single coated cups are more cost-effective¹¹ to produce. They use less raw material and have a simpler process. For a business like a coffee shop that mostly serves hot drinks, choosing single coated cups¹ is the most economical and functionally correct decision.

Double coated cups are slightly more expensive. However, this minor additional cost is a crucial investment. If you serve cold drinks, using a cheaper single coated cup will absolutely lead to customer complaints⁹ and soggy, failed cups. That will cost you far more in the long run through a damaged reputation and lost business. The smart choice is not the cheapest cup, but the correct cup for the job.

Quick Decision Guide

Let's make this perfectly clear.

Conclusion

The right cup coating protects your product and your brand. Use single coated for hot drinks and double coated for cold drinks to ensure a perfect customer experience¹².