As competition intensifies in the U.S. beverage market, packaging has become a critical part of brand identity.
A fast-growing bubble tea chain in California approached us with a challenge: their generic transparent cups were no longer enough to differentiate their stores, especially as new competitors opened nearby.

Client Background

The customer is a mid-size regional bubble tea chain with 20+ stores across the West Coast. Their brand tone is youthful and vibrant, but their existing packaging did not reflect that image.

The Challenge

The chain wanted to strengthen brand consistency across all stores.
Their concerns included:

• No printed logo → low brand recall among customers

• Generic cups → weak shelf & social media visibility

• Previous attempts at printing cups resulted in dull colors or blurry edges

• They needed large quantities but also stable quality between batches

The team specifically required a high-transparency PET cup that could maintain color sharpness and withstand cold beverages without deforming.

Our Solution

We developed a custom-printed PET cup program based on their brand palette and store operations:

✔️ 1. High-Clarity PET Material Upgrade

We selected food-grade PET with enhanced gloss to make drinks look cleaner and more premium.

✔️ 2. 6-Color Flexo Printing

This ensured vibrant colors and crisp lines, ideal for their gradient-style logo.

✔️ 3. Multi-Size Customization

To match their menu, we standardized all SKUs:
12oz, 16oz, 24oz — all fitted with the same 98mm lid to simplify inventory.

✔️ 4. Batch Consistency Control

Each order included sample approval + color calibration files to maintain identical printing across all stores.

Final Outcome

After switching to custom printed PET cups:

• Brand recognition increased — customers began posting more drink photos on Instagram & TikTok

• In-store presentation improved — staff reported more customers asking about the brand

• Packaging aligned across 20+ locations

• The chain reduced SKUs by 30% thanks to standardized lid sizes

• Monthly ordering became more predictable due to stable production capacity

The customer has since expanded to new cities and continues using the same custom cups across all stores.

Why This Case Matters for Global Buyers

For beverage brands in the U.S. and Europe, upgrading to custom printed packaging is not just an aesthetic decision — it is a brand growth strategy.

Clearer cups + crisp printing = higher visual impact → more customer engagement → stronger brand identity.