When it comes to packaging hot food for takeout or delivery, paper soup cups are an essential solution for food service businesses. Whether you run a restaurant, café, catering service, or food truck, choosing the right soup container makes a big difference in food presentation, safety, and customer satisfaction.
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about paper soup cups, including materials, sizes, lid options, and custom printing—plus tips for eco-friendly and to-go soup container selections.
✅ What Are Paper Soup Cups and Their Common Uses?
Paper soup cups are round, insulated food containers made of sturdy paperboard, designed to hold hot liquids like soup, ramen, congee, or stews. They’re widely used for both dine-in and to-go orders, especially in fast-casual and delivery-focused businesses.
These cups are typically coated with:
- PE (polyethylene) – affordable and resistant to leaks
- PLA (polylactic acid) – plant-based and commercially compostable
- Unlined or water-based barrier paper – recyclable and ideal for some dry or cold items
📏 Paper Soup Cup Sizes: 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz and More
Selecting the right size cup is key to portion control and customer satisfaction. Standard paper soup cup capacities include:
- 8 oz (240 ml) – perfect for sauces, side soups, or small servings
- 12 oz (360 ml) – ideal for most single-serving soups
- 16 oz (480 ml) – common for full meals or lunch combos
- 32 oz (950 ml) – great for large portions or family-size soups
Sizes typically match with standardized lids for secure fitting.
🔒 Paper Soup Cup Lids: Paper, CPLA Compostable, and PP Plastic
Pairing your soup cups with the right lids ensures temperature control and leak resistance. Here are the main types of compatible lids we offer:
- Paper Lids
- Made from the same paperboard as the cups
- Fully disposable and compostable (depending on lining)
- Cost-effective and well-suited for heat insulation
- CPLA Compostable Lids
- Made from crystallized PLA (plant-based plastic)
- 100% compostable in commercial composting facilities
- Heat-resistant and sturdy — ideal for eco-conscious brands
- PP (Polypropylene) Plastic Lids
- Microwave-safe and highly durable
- Excellent for tight sealing and preventing spills during transport
- Available in transparent or translucent styles for food visibility
All lids are designed to fit standard soup cup sizes from 8 oz to 32 oz.
🌱 Eco-Friendly & Compostable Paper Soup Cups: What to Look For
Sustainability is a growing priority for both businesses and consumers. Choosing eco-friendly soup containers shows your commitment to the environment—and it can enhance your brand image.
Look for:
- PLA-coated or uncoated paper for compostability
- FSC-certified paperboard
- Biodegradable or recyclable materials
- Lids that are CPLA-based or paper-based
Before purchasing, confirm compatibility with local composting or recycling regulations, especially for commercially compostable items.
🏷️ Custom Printed Paper Soup Cups: MOQ Starting at 10,000
Branded packaging is one of the simplest ways to leave a lasting impression. We offer custom-printed paper soup cups to help promote your identity with every order.
- MOQ: Just 10,000 cups
- Full-color printing with eco-safe inks
- Short lead times for repeat orders
- Available across all sizes and lid pairings
Whether it’s your logo, seasonal graphics, or QR codes, custom soup cups turn every takeout customer into a walking brand ambassador.
💡 What to Know Before Buying Disposable or To-Go Soup Containers
Before placing an order, consider the following:
- Material – Will you need PE-coated for cost-efficiency or PLA-lined for compostability?
- Use case – Are you serving dine-in customers, doing delivery, or offering bulk takeout?
- Lid type – Do you prefer fully compostable (paper or CPLA) or high-performance (PP plastic)?
- Microwave safety – PP lids are microwave-safe; paper lids usually are not
- Storage & stacking – Look for cups that stack neatly for back-of-house efficiency
- Order size & price – Bulk orders offer better pricing per unit
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Are paper soup cups microwave-safe?
The paper cups themselves may tolerate moderate heat, but only PP plastic lids are truly microwave-safe. Avoid microwaving with paper or CPLA lids on.
Q2: Can I get custom printing on all sizes of soup cups?
Yes! Custom printing is available for all sizes (8 oz to 32 oz) with a minimum order of 10,000 cups.
Q3: What is the most eco-friendly lid option?
CPLA lids are compostable and heat-resistant, making them the best eco-friendly option for hot foods.
Q4: Do you offer transparent lids?
Yes, PP plastic lids come in transparent versions, ideal for food visibility in takeout packaging.
Q5: How long does production take for custom orders?
Production lead time varies, but most custom printed soup cups are ready within 4–6 weeks, depending on order size and artwork approval.
📦 Choosing the Best Soup Packaging for Your Business
From portion control to presentation, choosing the right paper soup cups with lids helps elevate your food service operation. Whether you prioritize eco-friendly packaging, microwave safety, or custom branding, our wide selection of cup sizes, materials, and lid options has you covered.
And with custom printing available from just 10,000 units, it’s never been easier to scale your brand on every bowl of soup.
📞 Ready to Get Started?
We make it easy to source the perfect soup packaging for your business. Contact us to request a sample pack, get a quote, or start your custom printing order today.