How Much Does a Printed Cup Cost in the UAE? Per-Cup Maths
A printed cup in the UAE can cost from AED 0.12 to over AED 4. Here is the per-cup maths by cup type and quantity, and how to build it into your drink prices.
A custom printed cup in the UAE costs anywhere from about AED 0.12 (single wall paper at 50,000 cups) to AED 4.70 (a 16oz aluminium cup at 50 pieces). For a typical cafe order of 1,000 to 5,000 cups, expect AED 0.47 to AED 1.18 per cup for double wall paper and AED 0.66 to AED 1.09 for flat plastic, VAT included. The biggest lever is quantity: moving up one tier can cut your per-cup cost by a third or more.
How to calculate cost per cup
The formula is simple: total order price ÷ number of cups = cost per cup.
All CupCup prices include 5% VAT and printing of your logo, so there is no separate setup line to add. Two things can change the final figure:
- Delivery. It is a flat fee per order: AED 25 in Dubai (free on orders over AED 800), AED 35 to Sharjah and Ajman, AED 75 to Ras Al Khaimah and AED 100 to Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Add it before dividing, or collect free from our Dubai office.
- Express. An optional express fee of AED 200 (500–2,000 cups) or AED 400 (above 2,000 cups) applies to eligible double wall paper cups if you need them in 3 working days.
Per-cup prices for paper cups
Double wall paper cups are the go-to for hot drinks. Here is how price per cup falls with quantity.
| Cup | 500 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4oz double wall | AED 1.22 | AED 0.89 | AED 0.71 | AED 0.47 | AED 0.42 | AED 0.36 |
| 8oz double wall | AED 1.22 | AED 0.91 | AED 0.74 | AED 0.50 | AED 0.44 | AED 0.38 |
| 12oz double wall | AED 1.78 | AED 1.18 | AED 1.15 | AED 0.65 | AED 0.60 | AED 0.53 |
| 16oz double wall | – | AED 1.77 | AED 1.54 | AED 0.97 | AED 0.64 | AED 0.57 |
The jump from 2,000 to 5,000 is where the biggest savings sit. On 12oz cups, the per-cup price drops from AED 1.15 to AED 0.65.
For very high volumes, single wall paper cups start at 25,000 pieces. An 8oz single wall cup costs AED 6,030 for 25,000, which is AED 0.24 per cup, and AED 10,925 for 50,000, or AED 0.22 per cup.
Per-cup prices for plastic cups
| Cup | 1,000 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12oz flat plastic with lid | AED 1.09 | AED 1.01 | AED 0.66 | AED 0.42 | AED 0.42 |
| 12oz frosted flat with lid | AED 1.18 | AED 1.01 | AED 0.60 | AED 0.60 | AED 0.57 |
| 16oz U-shape with lid | AED 1.26 | AED 1.26 | AED 0.93 | AED 0.86 | AED 0.82 |
| 12oz cat claw with lid | AED 1.41 | AED 1.41 | AED 1.03 | AED 0.95 | AED 0.91 |
Flat plastic cups from 8oz to 16oz share the same price, so you can size up a cold drink without changing your cup cost. The 20oz flat cup costs a little more, at AED 1.18 per cup for 1,000.
Per-cup prices for premium cups
| Cup | Smallest order | Per cup | Larger order | Per cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12oz aluminium | 50 for AED 195 | AED 3.90 | 1,000 for AED 1,850 | AED 1.85 |
| 16oz aluminium | 50 for AED 235 | AED 4.70 | 1,000 for AED 2,220 | AED 2.22 |
| 8oz velvet | 200 for AED 1,690 | AED 8.45 | 2,000 for AED 4,660 | AED 2.33 |
These cost more because they do a different job. Aluminium cups are reusable, and velvet cups are a luxury, soft-touch product. They make sense for VIP service, gifting and events rather than everyday takeaway.
Building cup cost into your drink price
Your cup is one line in the cost of a drink, along with the lid, coffee, milk, syrup and labour. A quick way to check the impact:
- Find your cup's per-cup cost from the tables above.
- Add it to your ingredient cost for the drink.
- Divide by your selling price to see your total cost percentage.
Worked example: a 12oz latte
Say a 12oz latte sells for AED 18. At 1,000 cups, a printed 12oz double wall cup costs AED 1.18, which is about 6.6% of the selling price. Move to 5,000 cups and the cup costs AED 0.65, about 3.6%. That difference of AED 0.53 per drink adds up to AED 2,650 across 5,000 lattes.
Worked example: an iced coffee
A 16oz iced coffee selling for AED 20 in a flat plastic cup costs AED 1.09 for the cup at 1,000 pieces, or AED 0.66 at 5,000. Either way, the cup is a small share of the price, yet it is the part every passer-by sees.
When ordering more is not cheaper
Bigger tiers look attractive, but they only save money if you use the cups. Ask yourself:
- Will I use them within six to nine months? Menus, logos and seasonal designs change.
- Do I have dry, cool storage? Cartons kept in a hot car park or a humid back room can be damaged.
- Is my cash better spent elsewhere? A new cafe may prefer a smaller first order and a larger second one once demand is clear.
A balanced approach is to order your best-selling size in a larger tier and your slower sizes in smaller tiers.
Hidden costs to watch for
- Running out. Emergency orders can mean paying for express or buying unbranded cups.
- Wrong size. A cup that is too small for your ice-heavy drink forces either a size change or unhappy customers.
- Design changes after printing. Always check the free digital proof carefully. Production only starts once you approve it.
A budgeting template for a new cafe
If you are opening a cafe, a balanced first cup order often covers one small hot size, one large hot size and one cold size. For example:
| Item | Quantity | Price | Per cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8oz double wall paper | 1,000 | AED 910 | AED 0.91 |
| 12oz double wall paper | 1,000 | AED 1,175 | AED 1.18 |
| 16oz flat plastic with lid | 1,000 | AED 1,090 | AED 1.09 |
| Total | 3,000 | AED 3,175 | About AED 1.06 |
That is enough for a few weeks of trading at most new cafes, it ships free within Dubai (AED 35–100 to other emirates), and it gives you real sales data before committing to the 5,000 tier on your best-selling size.
Frequently asked questions
Do CupCup prices include VAT?
Yes. All prices include 5% VAT and printing of your logo.
What is the cheapest printed cup per piece?
The 4oz single wall paper cup at 50,000 pieces, at about AED 0.12 per cup. For smaller orders, 4oz double wall paper cups at 20,000 pieces cost about AED 0.36 each.
Is delivery included?
Delivery is AED 25 in Dubai (free on orders over AED 800), AED 35 to Sharjah and Ajman, AED 75 to Ras Al Khaimah and AED 100 to Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, per order and VAT included. Pickup from our Dubai office is free.
How can I get an exact price for my order?
Use the online price calculator, which shows the total for your cup, size and quantity.
Work out your own cup cost
Pick your cup in the paper cups or plastic cups range, then check the total in the price calculator. Every order comes with free design help and a digital proof. Questions? WhatsApp +971 55 989 4550.