A branded cup is the cheapest billboard a cafe owns. It leaves the shop in a customer's hand and gets seen across Muscat all day. But cups are not one product. The right cup depends on the drink, the price point, and the brand promise. Here is how cafes in Oman actually choose between paper, plastic, and eco cups in 2026.

The three families

Paper cups

Single wall: The standard hot cup. Cheapest. Needs a sleeve for very hot drinks so the customer can hold it.
Double wall: Two layers with an air gap. Holds heat in, keeps hands cool, feels premium, and gives a larger print area. The default for specialty coffee shops in Muscat that want a premium feel without a sleeve.

Plastic cups

PET (clear): Crystal-clear, rigid, perfect for iced drinks, smoothies, and layered drinks where the look matters.
PP U-shape: Slightly softer, common for juices and milkshakes, often paired with a dome lid for whipped toppings.

Eco cups

PLA-lined paper: Looks like a normal paper cup but uses a plant-based lining instead of PE plastic, so it is compostable under the right conditions.
Kraft / unbleached board: The natural brown look that signals sustainability at a glance.

Match the cup to the drink

Hot espresso, flat white, karak: Double wall paper. Premium feel, no sleeve needed.
Hot drinks on a budget: Single wall paper + branded sleeve.
Iced coffee, cold brew, smoothies: Clear PET so the drink shows.
Juice, milkshake: PP U-shape with a dome lid.
Sustainability-led brand: PLA-lined or kraft eco cups, and say so on the cup.

Sizes and lids

Standard sizes are 4oz (ristretto/cortado), 8oz (regular hot), 12oz and 16oz (large hot and most cold drinks). Match your lids to the cup family: sip lids for hot, flat or dome lids for cold. Order lids and sleeves at the same time as cups so the diameters match, this is a common ordering slip.

What branded cups cost

At BHD, custom double-wall paper cups start around OMR 30 per order tier and clear plastic cups around OMR 20, with unit cost dropping as volume rises. The print covers your logo, brand colours, social handle, and any seasonal message. Eco cups carry a small premium over standard paper for the compostable lining.

For a faster path, ready stock and quick custom runs are available through CupsByAA, BHD Group's dedicated custom-cup shop.

Lead time

Custom printed cups typically take 1 to 3 weeks depending on quantity and whether the artwork is print-ready. Plan seasonal designs (Ramadan, Eid, National Day) well ahead, see our Eid printing timeline.

Get a cup quote

Tell us your drink menu and rough monthly volume and we will recommend the cup family, sizes, and lids, then quote it. See the cup printing page or WhatsApp +968 98899100.

Branded Paper Cups for Muscat Cafes: Paper vs Plastic vs Eco