The Branded Cup Process — Overview
Branding cups for events involves four stages: choosing your cup, preparing your artwork, approving a proof, and receiving your order. For most customers, the full process from first contact to delivery takes 10–14 days on a standard order. Express options reduce this to 24–72 hours for production.
Choose Your Cup Type & Quantity
Decide on cup size (pint, half pint, wine, stackable), material, and quantity. Your cup choice determines the available print area and method.
Prepare Your Artwork
Submit your logo or design in the correct format. We accept vector files and high-resolution images. If you need help, we will prepare artwork for you.
Review & Approve Your Proof
We produce a digital proof showing your design on the cup. You check and approve — or request revisions. Nothing prints without your sign-off.
Production & Delivery
Once approved, cups go into production. Standard turnaround is 10 working days. Express 24–72 hour production is available for urgent orders.
Artwork: What You Need to Submit
The quality of the printed result depends significantly on the artwork file you provide. Here is what you need to know:
Vector files (recommended)
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF with vector content) are made from mathematical paths rather than pixels. They can be scaled to any size without quality loss, which is essential for cup printing where the artwork may be resized to fit the print area precisely.
If your logo was created by a designer or in tools like Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, or Canva (with vector export), you will likely have a vector file. Ask your designer for an AI or EPS file if you are unsure.
Raster files (acceptable with conditions)
JPEG, PNG, and TIFF files are raster formats — made from pixels. They are acceptable if the resolution is at least 300dpi at the intended print size. A logo saved at 72dpi from a website will not print well — it will appear blurry or pixelated.
A common mistake is submitting a logo downloaded from a website. Website images are 72dpi at screen size — far below what is needed for print. Always use the original logo file, not a screenshot or download.
💡 No logo file? We can help.
If you do not have a suitable logo file, send us what you have and we will advise. For straightforward logos, our team can prepare print-ready artwork at no additional charge.
Colour format
For screen printing, provide Pantone (PMS) colour references if you have them. This allows us to match your brand colours as closely as possible. If you only have a hex or RGB colour value, we will convert to the nearest Pantone equivalent.
For full colour printing, we work in CMYK. Be aware that colours on screen (RGB) and in print (CMYK) can differ — bright blues and neon colours in particular can shift. Your proof will show the CMYK output so you can assess before committing.
Print Methods: Screen Printing vs. Pad Printing
Screen Printing
Ink is pushed through a mesh stencil directly onto the cup surface. Ideal for flat areas and logos with defined colour blocks.
- ✓ Very sharp edges and solid colour fills
- ✓ Highly durable — ink bonds to the cup surface
- ✓ Excellent for 1–4 colour logos
- ✗ Less suited to photographic or gradient artwork
Pad Printing
A silicone pad picks up ink from an etched plate and transfers it to the cup. Works well on curved surfaces.
- ✓ Conforms to curved and irregular surfaces
- ✓ Good for fine detail work
- ✓ Suitable for full colour artwork
- ✗ Slightly lower output speed than screen printing
For most logo printing on cups — particularly for festivals and events — screen printing is the default method. For complex multi-colour artwork or photographic designs, we will advise on the most appropriate method during the quoting process.
Print Area & Positioning
The printable area on a cup is the flat or near-flat surface available for artwork. On our standard pint cup, the maximum print area is approximately 65mm wide by 55mm tall. Cups can typically be printed with one design running around most of the circumference, or a smaller front-facing logo.
Approximate print areas by cup type:
⚠️ Avoid thin lines and very small text
Fine details, thin strokes (under 0.5pt), and text below 6pt can be difficult to reproduce accurately in screen printing. If your logo includes small text, discuss with us during the proof stage — we may need to adjust stroke weights slightly.
The Proofing Process
Once we have your artwork and order details, we produce a digital proof — a rendered image showing how your design will look on the cup. This is sent to you by email for review and approval.
The proof shows logo placement, size, colours (as they will print), and any UKCA measure markings. Review it carefully before approving — check that:
Your logo is correctly positioned where you want it
Colours appear as expected (noting that screen display and print colours can differ slightly)
Text is spelled correctly
Any required legal information (measures, company name) is included if needed
The design size is appropriate for the cup — not too small or too large
💡 Revisions are included
If anything in the proof needs changing, tell us and we will revise. There is no charge for reasonable revision requests. We will not proceed until you are satisfied.
Placing Your Order
Once you have your artwork ready, the quickest way to start is to get a quote. We will confirm pricing, lead time, and available cup sizes. If your order is straightforward, we can often provide a same-day quote.
50
Minimum order units
10 days
Standard lead time
24–72hr
Express option
Ready to Brand Your Cups?
Get a quote for personalised plastic cups, branded reusable cups, or festival pint cups. Send us your logo and we will handle the rest.
Artwork & Branding FAQs
What file format do I need to submit for branded cup artwork?
We recommend vector files (AI, EPS, or PDF) for the sharpest results. If you only have a raster file (JPEG, PNG), it must be at least 300dpi at the intended print size. Our team will advise if your file is not suitable and can assist with artwork preparation.
What is the difference between screen printing and pad printing?
Screen printing uses a mesh stencil to push ink directly onto the cup surface. It is ideal for flat areas and produces vivid, durable results. Pad printing uses a silicone pad to transfer ink from an etched plate onto the cup — better for curved or irregular surfaces. Both are available from Drinksmate.
Can I match my exact brand colour on printed cups?
For screen printing, we use Pantone colour matching to get as close as possible to your brand colours. For full colour printing, colours are produced in CMYK and may vary slightly from screen representations. We always provide a proof so you can check before production.
How large can my logo be on a branded cup?
Print area varies by cup size. On a standard pint cup, the printable area is approximately 65mm wide by 55mm tall. We will advise on maximum print dimensions for your chosen cup during the proof stage.
What happens if I am not happy with my proof?
We revise the proof until you are satisfied. No cups go into production without your written approval. There is no charge for reasonable revision requests.