At Steel City, we know that when you put your branding on a product, you want it to be perceived as really good quality. We select coffee cups by thinking about what happens in day-to-day use – avoiding print that rubs off, lids that leak, and formats that get left in the cupboard.
Whether you’re ordering for an event, a team welcome pack, or a client gift, we’ll help you navigate the choices. We focus on the details that matter – cup shape, lid style, branding method, and the proofing steps – so the final product lands well with your recipient.
- Right Lid, Right Cup: We know the industry can be overwhelming, so our team will help you narrow down the choice first – whether that’s PP tumblers, stainless vacuum cups, recycled/UK-made options, or paper takeaway cups. We want to avoid lids that are awkward to drink from or cups that don’t fit a car holder, ensuring you get something useful that people will want to use time and time again.
- Maximum Exposure: We prioritise cups with large wrap print areas (up to ~241 x 126mm and 236 x 132mm) and 360° layouts because we want your brand to be seen when someone’s walking, queueing, or holding the cup. It’s about getting that maximum exposure and ensuring your logo doesn’t disappear the moment the cup rotates in someone’s hand.
- Consultative Print Methods: We take a consultative approach to match the branding method to the material – using full-colour wraps when you need gradients and detail, or engraving when you want a finish that lasts. This avoids common pitfalls like fuzzy edges or small text becoming unreadable, ensuring your brand stands out for the right reasons.
- Lids That Stay Shut: We always recommend screw-fit sippers, locking screw-top lids, and cups sold as leakproof because we know they need to survive backpacks and the daily commute. This cuts down the spill risk that can ruin a welcome pack or a laptop bag.
- Washes Without Fading: We favour cups that clearly state dishwasher-safe performance (and microwave-safe where applicable). If you wouldn’t use a product that fades after a week, neither would we. This keeps the cup looking presentable after weeks of coffees, ensuring your brand continues to look great.
- No Greenwashing: Sustainability is a real priority, so we put BPA-free PP alongside recycled and UK-made choices with full traceability. We want to ensure we don’t greenwash, giving you honest info on what the cup is made from and where it travelled from, so you can tick the boxes you need to.
- Proof-First Timelines: We back you every step of the way, which means our proofing flow ties lead time to artwork approval. Nothing goes to print without your sign-off, reducing last-minute surprises and ensuring the print placement is exactly what you need.
- Lead Times That Work: We know deadlines can be tight, so we keep reliable fast-turn drinkware in the mix (including ranges at ~4-6 working days from approval). This lets you stay on decent-quality cups rather than dropping to flimsy options just to hit a date – and if you have more time, we can look at bespoke options too.