Introduction: Why the 12oz Cold Cup Matters

The 12-fluid-ounce cold beverage cup is one of the most widely deployed single-use foodservice containers in the global market. From specialty coffee chains to convenience stores and catering events, the 12oz format sits at the sweet spot between portability and capacity — large enough for a standard iced drink, small enough to fit every common cupholder.

At Zhejiang Gaokai New Material Co., Ltd., the GK92/12C 12oz Cold Cup is manufactured under strict ISO-certified processes, combining food-grade PET resin with precision thermoforming to deliver clarity, strength, and recyclability. This article breaks down every technical dimension that buyers, brand managers, and sustainability officers need to know.

Detailed Product Specifications

The table below lists the official dimensional and packaging specifications for the GK92/12C cold cup as supplied by Gaokai.

Material Science: Why PET is the Preferred Choice

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, resin code #1) is the dominant material for cold beverage cups globally, and for good reason. Its combination of optical clarity, mechanical strength, barrier properties, and recyclability makes it technically superior to alternatives such as polystyrene (PS) or polypropylene (PP) for cold-cup applications.

Key Material Properties

Gaokai sources its PET resin from within the Wankai New Materials industrial park — a renowned PET raw material supplier — enabling tight control over resin purity, intrinsic viscosity (IV), and moisture content before thermoforming. This co-location advantage directly translates into consistent wall thickness, fewer micro-defects, and superior visual clarity in the finished cup.

RPET Alternative

For buyers with elevated sustainability targets, Gaokai offers an equivalent cup configuration using recycled PET (RPET). RPET cups carry a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to virgin PET and support circular economy compliance in markets such as the EU and California. Learn more on the RPET Series page.

Manufacturing Process & Quality Control

Every 12oz Cold Cup from Gaokai passes through a vertically integrated production chain managed from within a single industrial complex in Haining, Zhejiang Province.

Production Steps

1. Resin intake & drying: PET pellets are crystallized and dried to a moisture level below 50 ppm to prevent hydrolytic degradation during processing.
2. Sheet extrusion: Dried pellets are extruded into uniform APET/CPET sheet with precise gauge control (typically 0.25–0.35 mm for 12oz cups).
3. Thermoforming: The sheet is fed into one of Gaokai's 16 sets of high-speed forming machines, where vacuum and pressure forming create the cup geometry. Trim tooling cuts the finished cup from the web.
4. Rim rolling: The cup rim is rolled inward to create a smooth, safe drinking edge and to provide structural rigidity for lid seating.
5. In-line inspection: Vision systems check for dimensional conformance, wall-thickness variation, and surface defects at line speed.
6. Sleeving & cartoning: Cups are stacked 50 per sleeve, then 20 sleeves per carton (1,000 pcs/ctn), wrapped and palletized for shipping via Gaokai's intelligent stereoscopic warehouse system.

Certifications

Gaokai's manufacturing system has been independently verified against internationally recognized standards. The table below summarizes current certifications held by the company:

Details on Gaokai's technology infrastructure and certification history are available on the About Us — Certification page.

Lid & Accessory Compatibility

The 92.3 mm rim diameter of the GK92/12C aligns with the widely adopted 92 mm industry caliber, ensuring compatibility with a broad ecosystem of lids, domes, and closures sourced independently by operators.

Industry Applications & Use Cases

The 12oz Cold Cup is deployed across a diverse range of foodservice and retail environments. Its compact footprint and optical clarity make it universally appealing wherever beverage presentation matters.

Foodservice & Hospitality

Cafes, coffee shops, and quick-service restaurants rely on the 12oz format for iced lattes, cold brew, frappes, and fresh-squeezed juices. The crystal-clear PET wall allows colorful, layered drinks to function as visual marketing, eliminating the need for opaque packaging.

Bubble Tea & Specialty Beverage Brands

The wide 92 mm rim accommodates oversized boba straws (12–14 mm diameter when fitted with an adapter) and dome lids, which are standard for bubble tea service. The cup's structural rigidity prevents deformation when squeezed — an important factor in hand-carry orders.

Event Catering & Corporate Use

For high-volume catering, the 1,000 pcs/carton format minimizes storage footprint and simplifies inventory management. The stackable cup geometry (tapered taper ratio ~4°) allows efficient de-nesting at dispensing stations.

Retail & Ready-to-Drink Packaging

With a snap-on dome lid, the GK92/12C can serve as primary retail packaging for fruit cups, dessert parfaits, and premium cold-brew single-serve units — channels where shelf appeal is directly tied to container clarity.

Comparable Products in the Gaokai Range

Operators requiring different capacities within the same caliber family or different format geometries may also consider:

• GK78/10C 10oz PET Clear Drink Cup — compact format for espresso-based cold drinks
• GK78/08C-B 8oz PET Clear Drink Cup — portion-control and kids' drinks
• GK78/09C Disposable PET Cup — high-clarity standard range
• GK90/360UC U-Shape Clear PET Cups — distinctive U-profile for premium presentation

Sustainability Profile

Sustainability in single-use packaging is evaluated across three dimensions: material origin, end-of-life recyclability, and operational efficiency. The GK92/12C performs well across all three.

Gaokai holds the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification for its RPET line and ISO 14001 for its environmental management system — two key credentials sought by retail buyers in the EU, UK, and North American markets.

About Zhejiang Gaokai New Material Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Gaokai New Material Co., Ltd. was established in 2021 and is located in Jianshan New District, Haining City, Zhejiang Province — embedded within the Wankai New Materials industrial park, granting direct access to premium PET raw material supply. Since its founding, Gaokai has scaled rapidly:

Gaokai's enterprise mission is: "Quality first, service foremost — creating a modern production base that integrates design, research and development, production, and service with high cost-effectiveness." Full company background is available on the About Us page.

Buyer's Guide: Ordering & Customization

Gaokai supports bulk OEM/ODM orders for the GK92/12C and most products across its product range. Below is a quick reference for procurement teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the 12oz Cold Cup be used for hot beverages?

No. Standard PET has a heat deflection temperature of approximately 70 °C. The GK92/12C is designed exclusively for cold beverages. For hot-fill applications, please refer to Gaokai's PLA Series or consult the sales team about CPET alternatives.

Is the cup microwave-safe?

No. PET cold cups are not designed for microwave use. The resin may deform at elevated temperatures.

Are the cups BPA-free?

Yes. All GK92/12C cups are manufactured from food-grade, BPA-free PET resin in compliance with ISO 22000 and BRC A+ food safety standards.

What recycling code is printed on the cup?

The cup carries the standard resin identification code #1 (PETE), which is accepted by kerbside recycling programs in most developed markets.

Is private-label printing available?

Yes. Gaokai supports custom printing for brand identity. Contact the team via the inquiry form for artwork requirements and MOQ details.

What other calibers does Gaokai offer?

Gaokai manufactures cups across 78, 90, 92, 95, 98, 107, and 117 mm calibers. The full range is listed on the Products page.