If you have walked through a bubble tea street or scrolled drink menus lately, you have seen them: the tall, tapered cups with the ribbed base that premium tea brands love. These are torch cups — injection-molded PP cups named for their distinctive torch shape. They look premium, stack efficiently, and handle both hot and cold drinks. This guide covers the three sizes we produce — 500ml, 700ml and 1000ml — how the lid system works, and whether direct printing or IML is the better decoration route for your brand.
What Are Torch Cups?
A torch cup is an injection-molded polypropylene (PP) cup with two defining features:
- A tapered silhouette — the cup narrows toward a narrower foot, flaring out to a wide rim. This “torch” profile gives the cup a sculpted, premium look that standard straight-wall cups do not have.
- A ribbed lower body — the vertical ribs on the lower section are not just decoration. They add grip when the cup is wet or cold, increase structural rigidity so the wall can be thinner, and create a visual break that makes printed logos above the ribs stand out.
Because the material is injection-molded PP — not thermoformed PET — torch cups handle both hot and cold drinks, accept sealing film, and survive delivery and takeaway handling better than thinner-walled cups. Full specs are on the product page: torch PP injection cups.
Torch Cup Sizes: 500ml, 700ml and 1000ml
We produce torch cups in three sizes. All dimensions below are from our current production molds:
| Capacity | Rim diameter | Base diameter | Height | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 ml (≈17 oz) | 90 mm | 54 mm | 139 mm | Iced tea, single-serve lemon tea, small smoothies |
| 700 ml (≈24 oz) | 90 mm | 54 mm | 181 mm | Bubble tea, fruit tea — the all-rounder size |
| 1000 ml (≈33 oz) | 109 mm | 65 mm | 181 mm | Sharing cups, oversized iced drinks, family size |
Three things worth noticing in that table:
- 500ml and 700ml share the same 90 mm rim. One lid SKU covers both sizes — stock one lid family, serve two cup sizes. This is the single biggest operational advantage of the 500/700 pair.
- The 1000 ml steps up to a 109 mm rim and 65 mm base. It needs its own lid family. Order it only when your menu genuinely calls for a litre-size drink.
- The 700 ml is the volume hero. At 181 mm tall with a 90 mm rim, it is the size most bubble tea and fruit tea brands standardize on.
Lid and Sealing Options for Torch Cups
The 90 mm rim on the 500/700 pair connects torch cups to a mature lid ecosystem:
- Flat lids with straw slot — lowest cost, stacks well for delivery
- Dome lids — extra headroom for cream tops and fruit pieces
- Sip / flip lids — direct-drinking formats for coffee-style service
If you run a sealing machine instead of lids: PP torch cups seal reliably with standard PP-compatible film, and the tapered body feeds well through automated sealers. As always — test one full cup through your actual machine before a production run. Matching lid options: PP lids range
Decoration: Direct Printing vs IML on Torch Cups
Torch cups can be decorated two ways, and the right choice depends on your artwork and volume:
| Direct printing (flexo) | IML (in-mold label) | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Printed ink on the cup wall, up to 8 colors | Full-coverage label fused into the wall; photographic detail |
| Best for | Logos and text; fast-moving volume orders | Premium finishes: metallic, holographic, full-wrap art |
| Durability | Good; ink can rub over long transit | Cannot peel or scratch off |
| Cost position | Lower per cup | Higher per cup |
| MOQ logic | Per artwork and size | Per artwork; label production is custom |
A practical rule: if your design is a logo plus contact details, direct printing is the workhorse. If the cup itself is the marketing statement — metallic shine, rainbow shift, edge-to-edge artwork — go IML. Both routes are available on the same torch molds, so you can run printed cups for daily volume and IML cups for limited editions from one SKU family. Printing options: custom logo printing ｜ IML process explained: IML plastic cups guide
Which Size Fits Which Drink?
- 500 ml — lemon tea, single-serve cold brew, kids’ portions, tasting flights. The shorter 139 mm body also suits counter displays with limited vertical space.
- 700 ml — the standard bubble tea and fruit tea size for most menus. If you are unsure which size to launch first, launch this one.
- 1000 ml — sharing formats, “big cup” menu items, festival and event drinks. High perceived value supports premium pricing; just confirm your cup carriers and delivery bags fit a 181 mm tall, 109 mm wide cup.
For context on how torch cups compare with straight-wall options, see our lemon tea takeaway angle in PP torch cups for lemon tea and takeaway.
MOQ, Lead Time and Sampling
Torch cup quotes depend on four variables:
- Size mix — consolidating 500/700 ml on one artwork prices better per unit
- Decoration route — direct print vs IML (IML adds label tooling per design)
- Number of print colors — each color adds plate and setup cost
- Order quantity — volume breaks apply at container-load quantities
Standard lead times run from mold-ready stock for plain cups to a few weeks for custom-printed runs. Send your logo, target sizes and volume — we quote factory-direct and ship samples so you can check the taper, the ribs and the lid fit in your own hands before committing.
FAQ
Are torch cups hot-drink safe?
Yes. They are injection-molded PP, which tolerates hot beverages far better than PET. For consistently hot service, confirm the specific temperature rating with our team.
Do 500ml and 700ml torch cups use the same lid?
Yes — both carry a 90 mm rim, so one 90 mm lid family covers both sizes. The 1000 ml uses a separate 109 mm lid.
Can I get my logo printed on torch cups?
Yes — direct flexo printing up to 8 colors, or IML for premium full-coverage finishes. Both work on the same molds.
Are torch cups compatible with sealing film machines?
Yes, with PP-compatible film. Run one full cup through your machine as a test before mass production.
What is the MOQ for custom torch cups?
MOQ is quoted per artwork and size. Send your design and target volume for a firm number and lead time.
Ready to Source Torch Cups?
Send your logo, target sizes and volume — our export team replies with factory-direct pricing and samples within 24 hours. Request a quote here.
