Custom Stadium Cups vs Custom Paper Cups: Which Should You Print?

Custom stadium cups and custom paper cups both work for events, but they win in different conditions. Choose custom stadium cups for cold drinks, outdoor events, and “keepsake” reuse choose custom paper cups for coffee/hot drinks, fast-service stations, and clean one-time distribution.

Quick decision table

The fastest way to choose stadium cups = reusable cold-drink brand exposure, paper cups = disposable hot/cold convenience.

What’s the real difference between stadium cups and paper cups?

Stadium cups are reusable plastic cups designed for cold beverages and repeated use, while paper cups are disposable cups designed for fast distribution, including hot drinks.

If your event’s “success” includes guests walking around with your brand, stadium cups win. If your event’s “success” includes speed, hygiene, and fast cleanup, paper cups win.

Shop both here:

• Stadium cups:
• Paper cups:

Choose stadium cups if…

Choose custom stadium cups if you want the maximum “brand carry” and you’re serving mostly cold drinks.

Stadium cups are strongest when:

• Guests will refill or reuse the cup
• The event lasts hours, not minutes
• You want a souvenir-style item at a low cost per impression
• It’s outdoors (sports, festivals, fairs, tailgates)

Start here: Stadium cups

Choose paper cups if…

Choose custom paper cups if you need fast one-time service, hot beverage compatibility, and easy cleanup.

Paper cups are strongest when:

• You’re serving coffee, tea, cocoa (or mixed temps)
• You need quick handoff at a station
• You don’t want to manage returns/leftovers
• You need a clean “single use” flow for large groups

Start here: Paper Cups

Best use cases by event type

If the drink is cold and the event is mobile, stadium cups win. If the drink is hot or the event is a line-based service, paper cups win.

Festivals + outdoor events

Pick stadium cups for better durability, mobility, and reuse potential.

• Stadium cups:
• Alternate (clear + party look):

Conferences + office beverage stations

Pick paper cups for speed and disposable convenience.

• Paper cups:

Bars, tailgates, and sports watch parties

Pick stadium cups because they look like the “right cup” for the setting and people keep them.

• Stadium cups:

Sampling stations (short pour / tastings)

Pick sample cups when you’re doing tiny servings and need control.

• Sample cups

Size selection: what ounce size should you print?

Match cup size to drink type and how long guests will hold the cup.

Common stadium cup sizes (cold drinks)

Use 16 oz for general events, 22 oz for festivals/bars, and 32 oz for high-ice/high-refill setups.

• 16 oz: best all-around for soda/water
• 22 oz: best for beer, mixed drinks, events with refills
• 32 oz: best for long outdoor events where guests refill less often

Shop stadium cups:

Common paper cup sizes (hot & cold service)

Use 8–12 oz for coffee/tea service and 16–20 oz for cold beverages when you need disposable speed.

• 8 oz: espresso + small coffee
• 12 oz: standard coffee/tea
• 16–20 oz: cold drinks or “large coffee” service

Shop paper cups:

Print + design: what prints best on each cup?

Stadium cups are best for bold logos and simple marks that stay readable from a distance, while paper cups are best for logos plus short copy because guests see them up close in-hand.

Stadium cup print rules

Use big, high-contrast art and avoid thin lines.

• Best: 1 strong logo mark, 1 color, high contrast
• Avoid: tiny text, thin outlines, low-contrast color-on-color

Paper cup print rules

Use clear logos, short text, and keep reading time under 2 seconds.

• Best: logo + short phrase (“Fresh Coffee”, “Welcome”, “Brand Name”)
• Avoid: paragraphs, small disclaimers, overly complex patterns

If you want a frosted premium look for cold drinks:

Frosted cups:

Quantity planning (simple rules that prevent under-ordering)

Most events perform best when you plan 1.5–3 cups per guest depending on refills and stations.

Use these baselines:

• 1.5 cups per guest: single drink station, limited refills
• 2 cups per guest: standard event with refills or mixed beverages
• 3 cups per guest: multi-station events (bar + soda + water), long duration

If you’re running a sampling table instead of full servings, don’t overbuy full-size cups—use sample cups:

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Most cup orders go wrong because people choose the cup based on “price” instead of “service flow.”

1. Picking paper cups for an outdoor cold-drink event → condensation + soggy handling
2. Fix: use stadium cups or plastic cups for outdoor cold drinks.

• Stadium cups:
• Plastic cups:

1. Picking stadium cups for a coffee station → not ideal for hot drink handling
2. Fix: use paper cups for hot beverages.

• Paper cups:

1. Over-designing the print → unreadable at a distance
2. Fix: 1 focal mark + high contrast + minimal text.
3. Ordering “exact guest count” only → you run out when people double-dip/refill
4. Fix: use the 1.5–3 cups/guest rule above.

Alternatives if neither feels perfect

If you want “disposable but sturdy,” foam cups work well for insulation and comfort.

• Foam cups:

If you want the classic clear party cup, feel, choose plastic cups.

• Plastic cups:

FAQs: Stadium cups vs paper cups

Are stadium cups reusable?

Yes, stadium cups are typically chosen because guests reuse them and carry them around, which increases brand impressions.

Are paper cups better for hot drinks?

Yes, paper cups are usually the better choice for hot beverage service because they are designed for fast station-based distribution.

Which one is better for outdoor events?

Stadium cups are better for outdoor events when you’re serving cold drinks and want durability and reuse.

Which cup is best for sampling?

Sample cups are best for sampling because they control serving size and reduce waste.

Can I use both at the same event?

Yes, use paper cups for coffee stations and stadium cups for cold beverages to match service flow and guest behavior.

Support page to reference (from Page 1):