Custom Ice Cream Cups

Sizing by Scoops and Toppings

Ice cream cups are usually sized by volume in millilitres, and it helps to think in terms of scoops. A small cup around 120 ml holds a single kids' scoop. A 180 to 240 ml cup holds one or two regular scoops. Cups around 300 to 350 ml take three scoops or two with toppings, and 450 ml or larger cups suit sundaes and sharing portions.

Remember that scoops sit above the rim, so a cup that looks small may still hold a generous serving. If you serve toppings and sauces, choose a cup with a little extra headroom so they do not spill over the side. Test with your own scoop size, as different scoops vary considerably. Smaller tasting portions fit our small tasting cups for samples.

• Taster cups for samples at the counter
• Kids' cups for a single small scoop
• Regular cups for one or two scoops
• Large cups for three scoops or toppings
• Sundae and sharing cups for loaded desserts

Lids for Take-Home Tubs

If customers take ice cream home or order delivery, a lid turns a serving cup into a take-home tub. Paper lids printed in your design keep the look consistent and can carry the flavour name. Clear lids let customers see what is inside, which suits gelato displays and pre-packed tubs in a freezer.

Pre-filled cups sold from a freezer, such as single-portion tubs at a farm shop or café, benefit from a printed lid with a small blank area for the flavour and date. That way, one print run covers every flavour.

For delivery, choose a lid that fits snugly and press it down all the way round before bagging. A tub that is filled slightly below the rim seals more reliably than one heaped to the top, and it arrives without sticky marks on the outside. For family-size portions, our printed ice cream tubs take a larger scoop count.

Designs That Work on a Small, Curved Surface

An ice cream cup is small and curved, so simple, bold designs work best. A logo repeated around the cup means it is visible from any angle, and a strong colour or pattern makes the cup instantly recognisable. Illustrations of fruit, cones or playful characters suit family-oriented parlours, while minimal designs with a single colour and a neat logo suit artisan gelato.

Keep text to a minimum. Your name, perhaps a short line about what makes your ice cream special and a social handle are plenty. Avoid placing important elements near the base, where they curve out of sight, or at the seam where the cup is joined.

Think about how the cups look stacked behind the counter too. Many parlours keep a tower of cups on show beside the freezer, and a strong band of colour near the rim makes that stack look like a deliberate part of the shop rather than storage. If you sell several sizes, a different accent colour for each size helps staff pick the right cup without checking the base. Our guide to print and finish options explains the print choices in more detail.

Who Orders Branded Ice Cream Cups

Ice cream parlours and gelato shops are the main buyers, ordering printed cups in a few sizes to match their menu. Ice cream vans use them for scoops and soft serve with toppings. Dairy farms that make their own ice cream sell it in branded cups at farm shops and events. Cafés, dessert bars and frozen yoghurt shops use them for scoops and sundaes.

Event caterers and venues order cups for weddings, corporate events and festivals, often with a custom design for the occasion. Restaurants serving ice cream as a dessert use small cups for children's menus and takeaway desserts.

Seaside kiosks, park cafés and leisure attractions also order printed cups, often pairing them with branded cones so that every serving carries the same look whichever a customer chooses. Parlours that also serve cones can add twin scoop cone holders for larger orders.

Getting Your Ice Cream Cups Made

Send us the sizes you need, your artwork or logo, and whether you want lids. We send a custom quote by email within one working day, with cups from £0.25 each depending on size and print. Minimums are quoted per job, and many parlours start with two sizes before expanding.

Your free design proof shows the cup wrap flat, with the seam marked so you can see how the design runs around. Once approved, production takes 4 to 7 working days, followed by free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses in 2 to 3 working days. If anything arrives damaged or misprinted, report it within 10 days for a reprint or refund.