Starting a Bubble Tea Shop? Your Cup and Packaging Checklist
New bubble tea shops should confirm cup rim compatibility with their sealing machine, choose PP plastic as the standard material, and budget for a 250-500 unit first order in a single size and color to control startup costs.
Before you order: confirm your sealing setup
If you're using a cup-sealing machine, confirm your cup's rim diameter and taper match your sealing film before ordering in bulk — see our lid and rim compatibility guide for details. This is the single most common mistake new bubble tea operators make.
Material: start with PP
PP plastic is the industry standard for bubble tea — flexible for crushed ice and boba, cost-effective, and widely compatible with standard sealing equipment.
Sizing your first order
Most new shops start with one or two core sizes — typically 16oz and 20oz — rather than the full size range, to keep initial complexity and cost manageable while the menu and demand are still being validated.
Budgeting your first cup order
- Start with a 250-500 unit order in a single size and single color
- Keep the logo simple — a bold 1-color design keeps setup cost low
- Reorder at 1,000+ units once demand is validated to unlock better per-unit pricing
What to test before committing
Request a free sample and run it through your actual sealing machine before placing your full production order — a five-minute test avoids a very expensive mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size cups should a new bubble tea shop order first?
Most new shops start with 16oz and 20oz as core sizes, expanding the size range only once demand patterns are established.
How many cups should a first order be?
250-500 units in one size and one color is a typical, budget-conscious starting point for a new bubble tea shop.
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