As consumers increasingly demand sustainable and customizable packaging solutions, paper cups have become an integral part of the food and beverage industry. There are technical specs and machines behind these common items. Whether you’re starting a new paper cup manufacturing operation or trying to improve an existing line, it’s important to understand how to choose the right materials, equipment, and designs.   This article will cover some key topics in paper cup production, including how to confirm cup sizes and select the appropriate sealing technology. How to Confirm Paper Cup Size   When it comes to paper cups, size is more than height and diameter. Several details affect production efficiency and end-user satisfaction. • Cup Bottom Depth & Angle: These affect how cups nest inside one another, impacting stacking height and packaging. • Rim Curl and Top Diameter: These directly impact lid fit and overall cup strength.   The most important factor, however, is what the market wants. A cup size that works well in one country may not be acceptable to consumers in another. At YINKO Machine, we tell all our customers to get us cup drawings or actual cup samples so our experienced designers can verify dimensions and create technical drawings for molds. This helps ensure the cups you produce will meet manufacturing requirements and be acceptable to the marketplace. How to Select Paper Material for Paper Cups   The paper material you select is important for a variety of reasons, including the durability of the cup, how it feels in a person’s hand, and whether it works well with hot and cold drinks. 1. Coating Type • Most paper cups are made with paper that is coated with PE. PLA coated paper is enjoying wider acceptance now because of heightened environmental awareness.   2. Recommended Coating Weights • Single PE: minimum 18 g/m² • Double PE: typical 18/12 g/m² • When it comes to paper cups, think of thickness, not base weight. Mold tolerances are usually ±0.02 mm.   Selecting Paper Based On Function • Cold Cups: Usually made with double PE coating because of the need for moisture protection. • Hot Cups: Usually made with single PE coating.   Selecting Paper Based On Size • Larger cups (12 oz. – 16 oz.) typically require thicker paper (0.31 mm – 0.41 mm). Thinner paper can be used, but it changes the way the cup feels in a person’s hand.   Regional Preferences: Areas of the country or world have preferences for thicker paper. For example, the demand in Europe and North America is for thicker paper and large cup sizes. Choosing the right paper helps you run production smoothly and cost-efficiently and increases the likelihood that your customers will be satisfied. Ultrasonic or Hot Air Sealing?   One of the key decisions you need to make in paper cup manufacturing is whether to use ultrasonic sealing or hot air sealing technology. Ultrasonic Sealing • Normal output is 80 cups/min. unless you are using a high-end system. • Recommended in applications where you regularly change paper or have variability in paper thickness. • Offers more flexibility with content material.   Hot Air Sealing • Preferable when production conditions are stable. • Achieves a higher production speed and consistent performance. • Accepted for most paper cup lines in current commercial use. In summary, if you have variety in your material sources or need flexibility, ultrasonic is the way to go. If you don’t, hot air sealing is the preferred way to go for efficiency and reliability. Considering Lid Requirements   Most paper cups, especially ones used for beverages, need to fit plastic lids. If the lids don’t fit well, leaks, spills, and unhappy customers will result. YINKO Machine always asks customers to send lid samples to us before we verify cup sizes. Our designers then take measurements to confirm dimensions to facilitate a final cup design that matches the lid so it seals well and looks professional. Paper Cup Machine Maintenance   To keep production flowing, you must do regular maintenance on the paper cup machines. At YINKO Machine, we build our paper cup machines to last over 15 years. However, that depends on the maintenance you do (which should include the following schedules.)   • Weekly: Basic cleaning, oil levels, and visual inspection. • Monthly: More thorough checks of mechanical parts and moving assemblies. • Yearly: Complete checks, possibly including part replacement and performance tuning.   Some of the routine maintenance can be done by operators, but most of it should be done by trained technical personnel to ensure long-term stability and to avoid expensive downtime. Conclusion   Making paper cups is much more than just forming paper into a cylinder. Every decision you make about cup size, paper type, sealing technology, lid fit, and machine maintenance impacts your ability to manufacture them efficiently and market them effectively. At YINKO Machine, we strive to support our customers in all aspects of this process. Each machine and design we create will continue to meet your technical needs, as well as fit the current marketplace and environmentally sound practices.   Are you ready to start or upgrade your paper cup production line? If so, please contact us today to discuss how we can customize our solutions to meet your needs with innovative, reliable, and environmentally responsible manufacturing.

This week, our factory successfully dispatched a new batch of individual straw packing machines and multiple straw packing machines to a long-term domestic partner, marking another solid step in our commitment to supporting the fast-growing beverage packaging sector.   Serving the Supply Chain of Top-Tier Coffee Brands Our client is a key player in the domestic straw supply chain, continuously delivering high-quality straws to leading coffee chain brands across China. To meet their stringent requirements for packaging precision, efficiency, and automation, they have once again chosen our proven equipment solutions to upgrade their production line. Equipment Highlights ➡️ Individual Straw Packing Machine High-speed performance with stable single-straw wrapping Compatible with paper, plastic, PLA, and other eco-friendly materials Features include automatic counting, preset quantity alarm, and seamless integration with downstream processes   ➡️ Multiple Straw Packing Machine   Works in tandem with individual straw machines to automate bagging Supports customizable packing quantities per bag Equipped with automatic bag forming, sealing, and cutting—significantly reducing labor intensity and increasing packaging efficiency   Enabling Smarter Straw Packaging for the Beverage Industry As consumer expectations evolve and coffee brands emphasize sustainability and packaging quality, efficient and precise straw packing becomes essential. Our machines are designed not only to deliver speed but also to ensure consistent, hygienic, and brand-ready presentation.   Continued Commitment to Value & Delivery This shipment once again reflects our company’s strong capability in equipment customization, timely delivery, and after-sales support. We remain committed to enabling our clients to thrive in competitive markets through reliable, efficient, and sustainable packaging solutions.   Looking to upgrade your straw packaging line? 👉 Contact us today to explore how our machines can streamline your production and support your brand’s growth.    

This week, we successfully completed the shipment of a semi-automatic curved screen printing machine to a new client in Central America. This machine will be used for high-quality cup printing production, helping the customer expand their customization services for the local beverage packaging market.   Supporting the Rise of Customized Cup Printing in Central America With growing demand from beverage brands and food service providers for personalized packaging, the Central American market has shown increasing interest in in-house cup printing solutions. Our client, a mid-sized packaging service provider, is investing in printing capacity upgrades to meet both small-batch customization and brand-level production needs. This is their first purchase of our curved screen printing equipment and marks the beginning of a promising cooperation.   Equipment Overview: Reliable & Flexible for Paper and Plastic Cup Printing   The semi-auto curved screen printing machine is designed specifically for curved surface printing, such as paper cups, plastic cups, and other round containers made of PP, PS, PE, or PET. It is ideal for medium-volume orders requiring detailed and consistent print results. 🔧 Key Features of the Machine Include: Supports two-color printing (requires two separate printing cycles) Suitable for cylindrical and slightly tapered cups Pneumatic clamping and precision registration for accurate positioning Consistent ink application and adjustable print pressure for different materials Easy to operate and maintain, with minimal training required   While the machine supports dual-color print projects, it completes the task in two separate runs, ensuring precise layer registration and maintaining high-quality print alignment.   Bridging Performance and Affordability This machine strikes the perfect balance between cost-efficiency and functional flexibility. It enables small to mid-sized factories to offer customized, branded packaging without investing in fully automated printing lines. Its modular design allows for upgrades and future automation add-ons, making it a great entry point for growing print operations. Whether printing coffee shop logos, promotional graphics, or eco-messaging on paper cups, this semi-auto model ensures consistent results across batches.   Strengthening Our Global Reach This shipment also reflects our expanding footprint in the Central American market, where we continue to provide tailored equipment solutions for the packaging and printing industries. From reliable manufacturing to responsive after-sales service, our team is dedicated to helping partners scale production with confidence.   We will provide remote installation guidance, training, and follow-up technical support to ensure smooth machine operation and long-term performance for this project.     Interested in improving your cup printing capabilities? 👉 Contact us today to learn how our machines can help grow your business with flexible, high-quality print solutions.      

Dear Valued Customers,   As we approach the Chinese New Year, we take a moment to reflect on the past year and express our heartfelt gratitude for your trust and support. Together, we have faced many challenges and celebrated growth, and your continued support has been the driving force behind our progress.   To celebrate with our families, Yinko Machine will be on holiday from January 22 to February 5. During this period, our office and services will be temporarily closed. If you have any urgent needs or inquiries, please feel free to contact us before the holiday, and we will do our best to assist you.   Looking ahead, we are filled with anticipation and are committed to continuing to provide you with high-quality products and services in the coming year. Thank you for partnering with us, and we look forward to serving you in 2025, helping your business thrive and succeed.   Wishing you and your family a joyful and prosperous Chinese New Year!   Best regards, Yinko Team