Clear 22oz Plastic Cups: A Practical Guide for Cafes and Bulk Buyers

Oct 14, 2026 Viewd 0

A 22oz cup sits in a useful spot between the standard 16oz and 20oz sizes and the large 24oz format. It holds enough for an iced coffee with plenty of ice or a fruit tea with toppings, and it stays easy to hold.

Quick Summary

  • Material: clear PET plastic, intended for single-use cold drinks.
  • Rim diameter: 98.4 mm, the same caliber as the company's 24oz cup, so lid choices overlap.
  • Weight: 15.4 g per cup, packed 1,000 pieces to a carton.
  • Best for: iced coffee, soda, smoothies, juice, bubble tea and cold cocktails.
  • Not for: hot drinks, microwaving, or reuse as durable drinkware.

GK98/22C Specifications

The figures below come from the parameter table on the product page.

Item No. Capacity Weight Rim Diameter Base Diameter Height Pcs / Sleeve Qty / Carton
GK98/22C 22oz 15.4 g 98.4 mm 60.2 mm 140.0 mm 50 pcs x 20 sleeves 1,000 pcs

What the Numbers Mean in Practice

A spec sheet is more useful when you turn it into planning figures. The table below shows a few quick calculations from the published dimensions.

Planning Figure Result How It Is Derived
Nominal volume About 650 ml 22 US fluid ounces converted to milliliters
Approximate brim-full volume About 700 ml Truncated-cone geometry from 98.4 mm rim, 60.2 mm base and 140 mm height
Plastic per sleeve About 770 g 50 cups x 15.4 g
Cup weight per carton About 15.4 kg 1,000 cups x 15.4 g, before outer carton weight

The brim-full figure is my own geometric estimate. It treats the walls as straight and uses the outer dimensions, so the real internal volume will be somewhat lower, and ribbing and rim shape also affect it. The practical takeaway is that the cup leaves only a modest gap between the nominal 22oz and the brim. If you plan to add whipped cream, a domed lid or a lot of ice, ask the supplier for a fill-line reference and test your actual recipe in a sample cup.

22oz or 24oz? A Side-by-Side View

Both cups share a 98.4 mm rim. The 24oz figures are taken from the company's 24OZ PET Cups buyer's guide.

Item GK98/22C (22oz) GK98/24C (24oz)
Rim diameter 98.4 mm 98.4 mm
Base diameter 60.2 mm 63.0 mm
Height 140.0 mm 153.0 mm
Weight 15.4 g 16.5 g
Packing 50 x 20 = 1,000 pcs 50 x 20 = 1,000 pcs

The shared rim means one lid size can serve both cups, which simplifies purchasing if you sell two sizes. The 22oz cup is 13 mm shorter, which helps with cup holders, display fridges and under-counter storage.

Material and Temperature Limits

The cup is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is valued for clarity, impact resistance and cold-drink performance. The product page describes it as suitable for cold and slightly warm drinks. PET softens well below the temperature of freshly brewed coffee or tea, so treat these as cold-service cups. The company's 20oz PET cup technical guide gives a working range of -10 degrees C to 50 degrees C for its PET cups and advises against hot-fill and microwave use. I would apply the same limits to the 22oz cup unless the supplier confirms otherwise in writing.

The wide mouth makes it easy to add ice, fruit or toppings, and the ribbed wall gives fingers more grip on a condensation-covered cup, according to the product page.

Lid Fit and Sealing

Lid problems are the most common complaint with disposable cups, and nominal size alone does not guarantee a good fit. Rim diameter, curl shape and skirt depth all matter. Gaokai's guide to 98mm flat lids for 12-24oz PET cups explains how small differences in these features lead to lids that pop off or tear around the straw hole. Before a large order, follow this routine:

  1. Request cups and lids together as samples, even if you already own a lid design.
  2. Fill a cup with your usual drink and ice, press on the lid, and carry it for a few minutes.
  3. Tip the cup gently to check for leaks, then insert your straw to see whether the hole tears.
  4. Stack a sleeve of lids and check that they separate cleanly in a dispenser.
  5. If you use a sealing machine, test the cups on that machine, because rim roundness matters for automatic sealing.

Where the 22oz Cup Works Best

Use Case Why It Suits the Cup What to Check
Cafes and iced coffee Clear wall shows layered drinks; volume holds ice without feeling small Lid with straw hole, and fill line when ice is heavy
Juice and smoothie bars Wide mouth handles thick blends and toppings Straw diameter against the lid opening
Bubble tea and fruit tea Capacity fits ice plus toppings; 98 mm rim is widely used Compatibility with your sealing machine and film
Events, weddings, parties Single-use convenience and one pour for most drinks Storage space for cartons and a plan for recycling bins
Food trucks and takeaway Light, stackable and easy to carry Lid retention during transport

Buyer's Checklist for Bulk Orders

Check Why It Matters What to Ask For
Weight consistency Cup weight reflects wall thickness and stiffness Weigh ten samples and compare with the 15.4 g listed
Rim roundness Uneven rims cause leaks and sealing failures A lid and machine test on sample cups
Clarity Haze undermines the reason for choosing a clear cup Compare samples against your current cup under normal light
Printing or labeling Branding must stick to a smooth PET surface A printed sample with your artwork and the lead time
Compliance paperwork Requirements differ by destination market Current certificates and test reports for your country
Packing and freight Light cups take up a lot of volume Carton dimensions and pallet loading plan

Recycling and Material Alternatives

PET carries resin identification code 1 and is widely accepted for recycling, but acceptance depends on your local program, and lids may be made from a different resin than the cup. Check local rules before putting recycling claims on your own packaging or signage. If recycled content or compostability matters to your brand, Gaokai also offers an RPET series and a PLA series. PLA generally needs industrial composting rather than home composting or standard recycling, so confirm that facilities exist where your customers live.

About the Manufacturer

Knowing who makes the cup is part of judging its quality. According to the About Us page, Zhejiang Gaokai New Material Co., Ltd. was established in 2021 in the Jianshan New District of Haining, Zhejiang. It operates inside an industrial park base alongside Wankai New Materials, a PET raw material supplier. The company states the following:

Item Company Statement
Established 2021
Forming machines 16 sets
Annual capacity 2 billion pieces
Markets served 21+ countries and regions
Cup calibers 78, 90, 92, 95, 98, 107 and 117 mm
Certifications listed ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, BRC A+, GRS and SGS

These are the company's own statements, so ask for the current certificate copies and check validity dates when your buyer or regulator requires proof. The Why Choose Us page describes the sheet production, forming equipment and printing capabilities in more detail.

Samples, Quotes and Contact

When you request a quote, state your annual volume, destination country, lid type, any printing needs, and the machine you use for sealing. The company states that it replies to inquiries within 12 working hours. You can use the Contact Us page, email petsheet@126.com, or call 86-18621117213. The factory address is No. 38, Xianxia Road, Jianshan New District, Haining City, Zhejiang Province, China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use these cups for hot coffee or tea?

No. They are designed for cold and ambient drinks. Hot liquids can soften PET and deform the cup.

Which lids fit the 22oz cup?

Lids made for a 98 mm rim. Because rim and curl details vary between manufacturers, test the exact lid with the exact cup before ordering in volume. See the 98mm lid guide for details.

How many cups are in a carton?

1,000 pieces, packed as 20 sleeves of 50.

Can the cups be customized?

The company says it works mainly on customized products based on customer drawings or samples, and that the smooth PET surface suits printed logos and labels. Confirm minimum order quantities and lead times for your design.

Are the cups recyclable?

PET is widely recyclable in principle, but whether a cup is accepted depends on your local collection program. Rinse and check local guidance.

Clear 22OZ Plastic Cups