What Are Single Wall and Double Wall Cups?
Choosing between single wall and double wall paper cups can impact everything from customer comfort to operating costs. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help a business make an informed decision on which to use.
First off, what’s the difference? Single wall paper cups consist of one wall of paper, coated in a thin layer of polyethylene: a food-grade plastic that acts as a barrier so that liquids don’t leak through the paper. Double wall cups are similar to single wall cups, except there are two outer paper walls with an air gap in between them.
How Do They Work?
The air gap between the paper layers of a double wall cup acts as an insulator. This allows the drink inside to retain its temperature for longer while also protecting your hands from the heat. Single wall cups have no insulation, so hot drinks will cool down faster and your hands will feel the heat of the drink in the cup.
Condensation can also form on the outside of the cup when used to contain cold drinks, potentially making the cup slippery to hold.
Single wall cups are more commonly used for cold drinks, which is why they are widely used in fast-food restaurants.
Double wall cups are best for hot beverages, and are commonly used in cafes.
Cost
Although they come with many benefits, double wall cups are more expensive to manufacture and buy, due to their additional layer of paper. Single wall cups are more cost-friendly to manufacture, buy, and transport. They also fit more tightly when stacked together, meaning you can store more in less space. Additionally, single wall cups are more recyclable, as they contain less adhesive. If double wall cups are not in your budget, single wall cups can be upgraded to be more insulating with the use of a cup sleeve. Double wall cups typically cost 40% to 60% more per unit, whereas the combined cost of a paper cup and paper sleeve is generally less.
However, using a sleeve has its downsides. A sleeve cannot offer the same protection as a double walled cup; sleeves can slide off, and the cup will still feel hot on the parts not covered by a sleeve. There’s also the matter of time and efficiency: putting a sleeve on a cup can take from 3-5 seconds. This isn’t a lot of time, however, during heavy customer traffic it’s valuable time lost.
Efficiency
Exactly how much more efficient are double wall cups?
Stanpac’s double wall cups stay around 12% warmer in an hour, and the exterior is about 20% cooler to the touch in comparison to our single wall cups.
They also eliminate the need for sleeves, and with that, the need to track and store extra inventory. They are more durable due to the extra layer of paper they are composed of, which is a valuable asset, as cups can be damaged during transportation and storage resulting in a loss of inventory.
What to Choose
So, which one is better for your business? The numerous benefits of double wall cups are undeniable. If your business’ main focus is hot beverages, double wall cups are the way to go. They surpass single wall cups by far in terms of quality, durability, and comfort.
However, if temperature is not a concern, if you wish to follow a more eco-friendly route, or if double wall cups are not within your budget, single wall cups are the choice for you. With or without sleeves, single wall cups are more cost-effective and recyclable.
Stanpac offers both single wall and double wall cups, as well as quality custom printing for both.
Contact a packaging specialist today to get started!
Call 905-957-3326 or email us at info@stanpacnet.com.
Looking for a small quantity? Check out our online store for our paper cups and lids available in convenient combo packs.
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