Lidless Paper Cups (Butterfly Cups): B2B Buyer's Guide
How folding-top paper cups replace the plastic lid, and what coffee chains and foodservice operators should check before ordering.
A lidless paper cup, or butterfly cup, has two wing flaps that fold inward to close the cup and form a drinking spout, so no plastic lid is needed. Calix comes in 8, 10, 12 and 16 oz with a food-grade PE coating. The manufacturer's paper cups were tested by Guangdong SCS to LFGB. Orders start at 50,000 printed cups.
Why operators look at lidless cups
- One item instead of two: a cup with a separate lid means two items to buy, store and match by size. A lidless cup is a single item.
- Less plastic: the plastic lid disappears from every drink served.
- Regulation: Europe and several US states and cities restrict single-use plastics, and packaging fees under extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes are spreading.
How the butterfly fold works
- Fill: the drink is poured into the open cup like any takeaway cup.
- Fold: the two wing flaps at the top are folded inward.
- Drink: the folded flaps close the cup and form the drinking spout.
Calix sizes
| Size | Capacity | Use | Coating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | 240 ml | Hot and cold drinks | Food-grade PE |
| 10 oz | 295 ml | Hot and cold drinks | Food-grade PE |
| 12 oz | 355 ml | Hot and cold drinks | Food-grade PE |
| 16 oz | 475 ml | Hot and cold drinks | Food-grade PE |
Cup dimensions, carton packing and container loads are confirmed in each quotation.
Full technical data is on the Calix spec sheet.
Coating: PE today, Calix Eco in development
- Calix (polyethylene / PE): food-grade PE coating, the standard liquid barrier for paper cups, for hot and cold drinks.
- Calix Eco (water-based barrier, PE-free): in development. Its specifications will be published when it is available.
Food-contact testing
The manufacturer's paper cups were tested by Guangdong SCS to German LFGB §§ 30 and 31, Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (report SCS240516A02BR), with passing results for overall migration, heavy metals, phthalates and vinyl chloride monomer. See the Calix certificates page.
Ordering terms
- Minimum order: 50,000 cups, every order custom printed.
- Sizes: up to 2 sizes per order, at least 25,000 cups per size.
- United States and international: quoted in USD under FOB terms. Port of loading, production time and freight are quoted for each destination; samples are paid and quoted per client. See the FOB buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a butterfly lidless paper cup close without a lid?
Two wing flaps are formed into the top of the cup. After filling, the flaps are folded inward to close the cup and form a drinking spout. The cup works for hot and cold drinks.
What sizes do Calix lidless cups come in?
Four sizes: 8 oz (240 ml), 10 oz (295 ml), 12 oz (355 ml), 16 oz (475 ml).
What is the minimum order for custom-printed Calix cups?
50,000 cups per order, every order custom printed. An order can be split across up to 2 sizes, with at least 25,000 cups per size.
What are the practical benefits of a lidless cup?
There is no separate lid to buy, store or match to the cup size, so one item replaces two. It also removes the plastic lid from each drink served.
What testing and certificates back Calix cups?
The manufacturer's paper cups were tested by Guangdong SCS to German LFGB §§ 30 and 31, Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (report SCS240516A02BR). The manufacturing facility holds a current ISO 9001:2015 certificate and is registered with the U.S. FDA. FDA registration is not an approval of the cups.
Request a Calix quotation
Custom-printed Calix cups from 50,000 units, up to 2 sizes per order. US orders are quoted in USD under FOB terms.