This article is sponsored by our partner, LogoCup.
What if you could have a custom cup made for every special occasion at your coffee shop—from menu launches to farmers market popups to catered events?
Until recently, that option remained out of reach for many cafes. While custom-printed paper cups are common among chain coffee shops, their pricing has long been prohibitive for independent businesses. Because most printers require large minimum order quantities, often in the thousands, smaller shops simply don’t have the available capital or storage space.
LogoCup wants to change that. The company, which started as an extension of the custom packaging company BoxUp in 2025, offers full-color digital printing on paper cups. Unlike its competitors, its minimum order is just 50 cups, and its typical turnaround time is 10 days.
Fresh Cup spoke with Jen Perry, who works on the marketing team at LogoCup, to learn more about how the company’s model works. Plus, she tells us what cafes should know before placing their first orders, and shares ideas for making the most of this newfound branding opportunity.
Why should coffee businesses consider branded cups over basic cups with stamps?
There is a high-touch association with a beautiful cup, and branded cups typically make more of an impression than basic cups with stamps. The minute a cup goes out the door, it becomes a walking billboard, spreading not just brand love but also becoming an implied endorsement.
But what’s even better about LogoCup is that the small minimum order quantities mean we can convert cups into marketing tools for previously untapped occasions. Using the cup to cross-sell promotions, advertise a special event, or give sponsors some love—these marketing opportunities were never possible before, given most other companies’ large minimum orders.
How can coffee shops harness the opportunities offered by lower cup order minimums?
There is so much that cafes can do with custom cups! They could:
- Create a special cup for a cause that supports local nonprofits
- Change cups seasonally to advertise new menu options
- Create custom cups to make events like open-mic nights, concerts, and readings more memorable and shareable on social media
- Test different QR code offers on the cups to incentivize return visits, including discounts on lunch or bags of coffee
- Incentivize farmers market or festival customers to visit their brick-and-mortar locations with printed discount offers and maps
- Create unique pup cups that attract dog-loving customers
- Upsell custom cups for festivals, corporate caterings, weddings, and other events
Low minimums give businesses the chance to develop all kinds of concepts, and test them out. Order a small quantity of 50 or 100 cups, gauge customers’ reactions, and see what works.
What’s the most creative or unexpected way you’ve seen a cafe use custom cups?
I’d say my biggest surprise has come from the types of organizations that order cups. We’ve seen churches, spas, auto dealers, event planners, and dog spas become customers.
Often, roasters and cafes work with these organizations as wholesale partners, and we see them making special-run orders on their behalf. Offering unique custom cups is a good way coffee suppliers can differentiate their offerings and make wholesale relationships stronger.
What are common design mistakes you see cafes make with their first custom cup orders?
The beauty of our program is that you can order a custom-printed proof of your cup. You set up an account, design your cup online, and order a quantity of one. There’s nothing quite like seeing it in real life to know whether it works.
But aside from that, probably the biggest issue we see is cafes trying to create a horizontal line that must match up at the seam. The way the manufacturing works means it’s very challenging to get horizontal lines to match up perfectly, and we suggest not building your design around printing something specific on the seam.
Cafes also have to consider whether they’re going to order single- or double-walled cups. The downside to single-walled cups is that most people will put a coffee sleeve on the cup, covering up that beautiful design. We suggest ordering double-walled cups for hot drinks to let the artwork shine!
What kinds of cups are available right now?
We currently offer double-walled and single-walled custom-printed paper cups in 10-, 12-, 16-, and 20-ounce sizes. We will be adding 8-ounce cups this spring.
We’d love feedback from the Fresh Cup readers as to which additional products they would use. We wanted to start out with a simple but game-changing product offering. From there, we will expand our product line to provide our customers with more options.
Sponsored by LOGOCUP
LogoCup makes custom printed cups for cafes and roasters and the businesses they serve coffee to. The company is built on accessibility and speed, with orders starting at just 50 cups and a 10-day turnaround.
