Smarter Packaging Choices
We describe our materials and processes plainly, without environmental claims we cannot substantiate.
PrintForm offers food-grade paper cups with PE or PLA coating options and prints digitally, which removes printing plates and lets customers order appropriate quantities rather than unnecessarily large custom-print minimums.
Food-grade paper
Our cups are produced using premium food-grade paper selected for hot beverage service and consistent forming.
PE coating options
PE is a widely used barrier coating that helps protect the cup from moisture and maintain structural performance.
PLA coating options
PLA is a plant-derived coating available for businesses looking for alternatives to conventional PE-coated cups. Contact us to discuss availability and specifications.
Right-sizing orders
Because custom orders start from 100 cups, you can order the quantity you will actually use instead of storing surplus custom stock.
Digital printing
Digital printing removes the need for traditional printing plates and the tooling associated with conventional custom cup runs.
Fewer obsolete runs
Artwork changes, rebrands, and seasonal designs don't require writing off large quantities of previously printed cups.
PE or PLA — the practical differences
Both coatings are applied at 20 GSM over 340 GSM food-grade paperboard and share the same heat resistance up to 100°C / 212°F.
PE coating (polyethylene)
- 20 GSM coating
- Excellent heat barrier and leak-proof
- The most economical option
- Recyclable where facilities exist
- 24 month shelf life
PLA coating (eco)
- 20 GSM bio-coating from corn starch
- Compostable and biodegradable
- BPI certified commercially compostable
- Same heat resistance as PE
- 12 month shelf life
Certification and coating details above are as supplied by PrintForm Inc. for the PLA bio-coating. Whether a used cup can actually be composted or recycled still depends on the facilities available in your area.
Disposal depends on cup construction and local infrastructure
Paper cups are made from paper plus a barrier coating, and how a used cup should be handled depends on which coating it has and on the waste-management and composting facilities available where it is used.
Some regions accept coated paper cups in specific recycling or commercial composting streams; others do not. Acceptance criteria are set locally by the facilities that process the material, not by the cup manufacturer.
For that reason we do not describe our cups as biodegradable, compostable everywhere, plastic-free, or zero waste. If disposal requirements matter for your business, tell us which coating you are considering and where your locations are, and check the accepted materials list published by your local waste-management provider.
Ready to Put Your Brand on a Cup?
Whether you need 100 cups for an event or ongoing commercial quantities for your business, PrintForm makes custom cup printing simple.
Custom Orders From 100 Cups • No Plate Fees • Full-Color Printing