Choosing the Best PET Cup Size for Businesses

When you’re running a beverage-focused business—whether it’s a juice bar, coffee shop, brewery, or fast-food restaurant—selecting the correct PET cup size is more than just a practical decision. It’s a branding opportunity, a cost-efficiency factor, and a customer experience essential. Today, we’ll break down how different businesses can choose the right custom PET plastic cup size and why it matters for your operations, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

Why Cup Size Matters for Your Business

Before diving into specific sizes, let’s talk about why this decision deserves attention. Using the wrong size cup can affect everything from portion control to how customers perceive your brand. An oversized cup for a small drink can look empty or create waste, while an undersized cup can leave customers unsatisfied. It’s also worth noting that PET cups offer high durability, clarity, and customization flexibility—making them ideal for showcasing logos and branding.

You can browse our full lineup of custom printed PET cups here.

Best Custom PET Cup Sizes by Business Type

Custom 10oz PET Cups – Perfect for Juice Bars and Sample Drinks

The custom 10oz pet cup is ideal for businesses that serve smaller portions, such as juice bars offering wellness shots, fresh-squeezed juice, or sample-size beverages. Its smaller size keeps serving costs low while still delivering a high-end look thanks to the crystal-clear PET material.

Best For: Juice shops, health-focused cafes, food trucks doing beverage samples.
Example Product: Custom 10oz PET Cups

Custom 12oz PET Cups – A Go-To for Tea Shops and Bubble Tea Brands

The 12oz PET cup strikes a perfect balance between compact size and generous capacity. It’s a popular choice for boba tea shops, iced tea providers, and fast-casual restaurants offering medium-sized beverages. It’s also great for businesses looking to provide a “grab-and-go” drink without the bulk of larger cups.

Best For: Bubble tea, iced tea cafes, smoothie chains.

Custom 16oz PET Cups – The Industry Standard for Cold Beverages

Often referred to as the “sweet spot” in beverage serving, the custom 16oz PET cup is incredibly versatile. It accommodates a wide range of drinks from iced coffees to smoothies and sodas, making it a best-seller across industries. This size also leaves room for add-ons like whipped cream or toppings without overflowing.

Best For: Coffee shops, smoothie stores, cafes, quick-service restaurants.
Related Keyword: custom 16 oz plastic cups with lids

Custom 20oz PET Cups – Made for Breweries and Beverage Retailers

If your business revolves around craft drinks, the 20oz cup is ideal. Breweries often use it for cold brews or small-batch sodas. It gives brands a generous canvas for logos while delivering enough volume for higher-price-point drinks. It’s also a good fit for bubble tea shops with layered drinks or extra toppings.

Best For: Breweries, craft soda sellers, gourmet tea shops.
Check out our custom solutions for breweries here.

Custom 24oz PET Cups – The Power Player for High-Volume Beverages

Large drinks need a cup that can hold up to the task. Whether it’s a smoothie, a milkshake, or a layered frappe, the custom 24oz pet cup offers the capacity needed for thirsty customers. Ideal for establishments that thrive on upsells, it also enhances the perceived value of your product.

Best For: Fast-food chains, milkshake shops, smoothie bars.
External Resource: Read how PET cups compare to paper options on Packaging Digest

Custom 32oz PET Cups – Oversized and Bold for Maximum Impact

Reserved for large-volume beverage service, the custom 32oz PET cup is the big leagues. This size is commonly used by drive-through beverage spots or locations where refill programs are in place. If your business strategy includes offering value through quantity, this is your go-to.

Best For: Beverage drive-thrus, refill programs, large iced teas or lemonades.

Bonus: What to Consider Before Choosing Your Cup Size

• Portion Control: Keep your cost per serving manageable.

• Brand Identity: Larger cups allow more space for bold, branded designs.

• Sustainability: While PET is recyclable, smaller sizes reduce material usage.

• Storage Space: Bigger cups take up more space in back-of-house areas.

• Add-Ons: Account for toppings, lids, or domes in your sizing decisions.

Customization and Branding Options

Every cup size on Custacup can be fully customized with your logo and design. We print with vibrant, full-color inks and ensure the branding is visible even on chilled, condensation-covered cups.

Popular customization keywords customers search for:

• custom clear plastic cups

• custom plastic cups with logo

• printed PET cups

If you’re ready to start branding your business better, view all PET cup options here.

See our post about which material for your cups to choose here! Or learn about Restaurant’s Guide to Custom Printed Disposable Cups.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right PET cup size isn’t just a behind-the-scenes decision—it’s a customer-facing one that impacts satisfaction, brand image, and even costs. Take time to assess what works best for your type of drinks and your clientele’s needs. Whether it’s a refreshing iced tea in a 12oz cup or a custom-logo smoothie in a 24oz cup, size matters.

If you’re not sure which one to start with, our team is here to help. Contact us for a consultation on the best sizes for your beverage business.