Custom Printed PS Rigid Cups — Finest Logo Detail, Hot & Cold Rated, 250 MOQ

PS is the most rigid of all plastic cup materials — virtually no flex under normal use. During screen printing, the cup wall must hold its position while ink is applied. Any flex in the substrate causes the ink to land slightly off-position, reducing sharpness in fine lines and small text. PP flexes slightly during the print pass. PET is stiffer but still has some give. PS holds its shape completely — allowing registration accuracy that no other plastic cup can match.

PS cups are rated to approximately 175°F — making them the only rigid plastic cup we offer that is suitable for both hot and cold beverages. This covers standard drip coffee (dispensed at 160–175°F), hot tea, and all cold drinks. For beverages above 175°F, use our paper cups (rated to 200°F).

Both are made from polystyrene, but in different physical forms. PS (used in rigid cups) is solid polystyrene — dense, smooth, glossy, and rigid. EPS (expanded polystyrene, used in foam cups) is polystyrene expanded with air to create a foam that is 98% air by volume. PS rigid cups have better print quality and visual appearance. EPS foam cups have better thermal insulation and lower cost. Both handle hot and cold beverages.

Yes — PS cups are rated to 175°F and are suitable for hot coffee, hot tea, and warm beverages. They are the only rigid plastic cup we offer that can handle hot service. For very hot contents above 175°F, our paper cups (200°F) are the right choice.

PS is recycling code #6. Most US curbside programs do not accept #6 — it is one of the least-recycled plastics in the curbside stream. Drop-off PS recycling exists in some markets. If recyclability is a brand priority, PET (#1) or PP (#5) have significantly better recycling infrastructure.

Yes — PS is a rigid, brittle plastic. It does not flex under impact the way PP does. A filled PS cup dropped from height has a higher chance of cracking than a PP cup. In controlled service environments (restaurants, hotels, corporate events), this is rarely an issue. In high-impact environments (gyms, outdoor festivals), PP's flexibility is the better durability choice.

Text as small as 6pt holds with excellent legibility on PS. Fine-stroke logos, intricate design elements, and detailed artwork all print with greater accuracy on PS than on flexible materials. For text below 6pt, we review case-by-case during the free artwork check — it may be achievable depending on stroke weight and font choice.

Yes. PS (polystyrene) chemistry does not use bisphenol-A (BPA). PS is inherently BPA-free. PS does have a separate regulatory consideration — styrene monomer migration — which is separately regulated by the FDA. Our PS cups fully comply with all FDA limits for styrene migration at normal use conditions.

No. Styrofoam is a brand name for EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam — a foam form of polystyrene. PS rigid cups are made from solid (non-expanded) polystyrene. Both are polystyrene chemically but have completely different physical properties: PS rigid cups are dense, smooth, glossy, and clear-to-opaque; EPS foam cups are lightweight, insulating, and opaque white.

PS is rigid and produces finer print detail; PP is flexible and more crack-resistant when dropped. PS handles hot beverages (175°F); PP does not (140°F max). PS provides a glossier surface; PP has a semi-translucent semi-matte appearance. For brands where logo precision and hot+cold capability are priorities, PS is the choice. For brands in high-impact environments where dropping is common, PP's flexibility is the advantage.

Stadiums serve both hot drinks (coffee, hot chocolate at winter games) and cold drinks (soda, beer at all games) from the same concession stands. PS is the only plastic that handles both — eliminating the need for two separate branded cup SKUs. The rigidity also holds up to the high-volume rough handling of stadium service, and the gloss finish gives a premium presentation that matches the event experience.

MOQ is 250 units per design. Volume pricing steps down at 500, 1,000, 2,500, and 5,000+ units.

Standard lead time is 7 business days from artwork approval. Rush production (3 business days) is available for a surcharge. Most US destinations receive orders within 1–3 business days after production via ground shipping.

Screen printing is a spot-color process and doesn't reproduce photographic gradients directly. However, gradient effects can be simulated using halftone dot patterns or staggered color fills. PS's rigid surface holds halftone dot patterns more accurately than flexible plastics — making PS the best choice for pseudo-gradient artwork in screen printing. Our artwork team advises on gradient simulation options during the free review.

Yes. Our PS cup dimensions match industry-standard flat lids, dome lids, and straw lids. PS is the standard material for hot-drink cups in many food service formats — lid compatibility is never a constraint.

Yes. PS meets FDA 21 CFR food contact requirements and is one of the most widely used food-contact plastics globally. All our PS cups are compliant for hot and cold beverage contact. Inks are applied to the exterior only — no ink contacts the beverage.