Salon Paper is a factory-direct supplier in Ningbo, China - cupstock, white cardboard, metallic cardstock and paper cups, with FSC and food-contact options.
This article covers: paper cups and cup stock materials
Complete technical specifications for cupstock paper (paper cup raw material): high-bulk uncoated cup paper in 170-210 GSM grades. Taber stiffness, thickness, Cobb, moisture, brightness, edge wicking at 95°C hot water. ISO/TAPPI/GB test methods. Food-grade, FSC certified.
Best for: paper cup manufacturers, packaging distributors, and food service buyers
By George Hu — July 4, 2026 — Salon Paper
Quick Reference: Cupstock (cup paper raw material) is available in five standard GSM grades: 170, 180, 190, 200, and 210 g/m². High-bulk uncoated cup paper for paper cup manufacturing. Key metrics include Taber stiffness (CD & MD), thickness, moisture, brightness, and edge wicking at 95°C hot water. All specifications conform to international ISO and Chinese GB/T test methods. Food safety compliant with GB 4806.8-2016.
Complete technical parameters across all five cupstock GSM grades.
| Test Item | Unit | Test Method | Margin | 170 GSM | 180 GSM | 190 GSM | 200 GSM | 210 GSM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substance (GSM) | g/m² | ISO 536 / GB/T 451.2 | ±3% | 170 | 180 | 190 | 200 | 210 |
| Substance (24"×36" / 500) | lb | ISO 536 | ±3% | 104 | 111 | 117 | 123 | 129 |
| Thickness | μm | ISO 534 / GB/T 451.3 | ±3% | 277 | 288 | 309 | 340 | 363 |
| Thickness | pt | ISO 534 | ±3% | 10.7 | 11.3 | 12.0 | 12.6 | 14.1 |
| Taber Stiffness (15°) CD | mN⋅m | ISO 2493 / GB/T 22364 | Target | 2.65 | 3.02 | 3.64 | 4.44 | 5.47 |
| Taber Stiffness (15°) CD | mN⋅m | Min | 2.14 | 2.57 | 2.95 | 3.31 | 4.43 | |
| Taber Stiffness (15°) MD | mN⋅m | ISO 2493 / GB/T 22364 | Target | 5.09 | 5.40 | 6.74 | 8.40 | 9.38 |
| Taber Stiffness (15°) MD | mN⋅m | Min | 4.12 | 4.59 | 5.46 | 7.00 | 7.59 | |
| Moisture | % | ISO 287 / GB/T 462 | ±1.5 | 7.5 | ||||
| Brightness D65/10 – Top | % | ISO 2470-2 / GB/T 7974 | ≥ | 78.0 | ||||
| Squareness (Sheet) | mm | GB/T 451.1 | ≤ | 2.0 | ||||
| Size Deviation / Uneven End Face | mm | GB/T 451.1 | ≤ | 2.0 | ||||
| Edge Wicking (95°C hot water) | mm | GB/T 31905 (Distance Method) | ≤ | 5.0 | ||||
| Edge Wicking (95°C, weighing) | kg/m² | GB/T 31905 (Weighing Method) | ≤ | 1.5 | ||||
| Dirt 0.1–0.3 mm² | dot/m² | GB/T 1541 | ≤ | 40 | ||||
| Dirt 0.3–1.5 mm² | dot/m² | ≤ | 16 | |||||
| Dirt >1.5 mm² | dot/m² | ≤ | 4 (no black dirt >1.5mm² or large dirt >2.5mm²) | |||||
| Optical Brightening Agent (OBA) | — | GB 31604.47 | — | Negative | ||||
Choosing the right cupstock GSM for your application.
Best for: Cold beverage cups (8oz/240ml), small hot cups (6-8oz/180-240ml), sample cups, water cooler cups.
Features: Lightweight, cost-effective, suitable for PE/PLA coating. Lower stiffness but sufficient for small format cups. Taber stiffness CD ≈ 2.65–3.02 mN⋅m, MD ≈ 5.09–5.40 mN⋅m.
Typical thickness: 277–288 μm (10.7–11.3 pt)
Best for: Standard hot cups (12oz/350ml), general-purpose cold cups, vending machine cups.
Features: Balanced stiffness and cost. Good performance for most standard cup sizes. Taber stiffness CD ≈ 3.64 mN⋅m, MD ≈ 6.74 mN⋅m.
Typical thickness: 309 μm (12.0 pt)
Best for: Large hot cups (16-24oz/470-710ml), soup bowls, noodle cups, double-wall cups, premium branded cups.
Features: Highest stiffness for structural integrity in large-format containers. Superior hold during hot beverage service. Taber stiffness CD ≈ 4.44–5.47 mN⋅m, MD ≈ 8.40–9.38 mN⋅m.
Typical thickness: 340–363 μm (12.6–14.1 pt)
Cupstock is typically supplied as uncoated base paper and then coated during cup manufacturing. Common coating options include:
| Coating Type | Application | Temperature Range | Compostable | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE (Polyethylene) | One or both sides | Up to 100°C | No | Low |
| PLA (Polylactic Acid) | One or both sides | Up to 85°C | Yes (industrial) | Medium |
| Water-based Coating | One side | Up to 90°C | Yes | Medium-High |
| Format | Size | GSM Range | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet (Flat) | 787 × 1092 mm | 170–210 | Standard cup manufacturing |
| Sheet (Flat) | 889 × 1194 mm | 170–210 | Larger format / import standard |
| Jumbo Roll | Custom width | 170–210 | High-speed rotary cup machines |
| Slit Roll | Custom width | 170–210 | Specialized cup lines |
All cupstock paper supplied by Salon Paper meets the following food safety standards:
We provide full mill test reports and certificate of analysis (CoA) for each shipment. Contact us for samples, datasheets, and pricing.
Request Cupstock Spec Sheet →High-bulk cupstock is a type of cup paper raw material engineered with a higher thickness-to-weight ratio (bulk). This means it achieves greater stiffness and insulation with less fiber, making it more cost-effective while maintaining cup performance. Typical bulk level for high-bulk cupstock is above 1.6 cm³/g.
Choose based on your cup size and application: 170-180 GSM for cold/small cups (cost-efficient), 190 GSM for standard hot cups (balanced), 200-210 GSM for large cups and soup bowls (highest stiffness). Consider your cup forming machine’s requirements — some machines perform better with specific thickness ranges.
Edge wicking (also called infiltration or water edge penetration) measures how far 95°C hot water travels into the cut edge of the paperboard over a specified time. Standard requirement is ≤5mm. Low edge wicking is critical to prevent cup leakage, especially for hot beverages served in paper cups.
Cupstock quality is verified using international and Chinese national standards: ISO 536 for GSM, ISO 534 for thickness, ISO 2493 (Taber stiffness), ISO 287 (moisture), ISO 2470-2 (brightness), GB/T 31905 (edge wicking at 95°C), and GB/T 1541 (dirt count).
Uncoated cupstock is the base paper supplied to cup manufacturers who apply their own coating. PE-coated cup paper has a polyethylene layer pre-applied by the mill. Uncoated offers more flexibility in coating choice (PE, PLA, water-based), while pre-coated saves a production step for the cup maker.
Cupstock is a specialized paperboard designed for manufacturing paper cups. It is made from virgin wood pulp with high bulk (thickness-to-weight ratio) and is typically coated with PE or PLA on one or both sides for water resistance. Standard GSM ranges from 170 to 210 g/m2.
Common cupstock GSM grades are 170, 180, 190, 200, and 210 g/m2. 170-180 GSM is typically used for cold cups and small hot cups. 190-210 GSM provides higher stiffness and insulation, suitable for larger hot cups, soup cups, and premium applications.
Cupstock stiffness is measured using the Taber stiffness test (ISO 2493 / GB/T 22364) at a 15-degree angle. Both machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) values are reported. For a 200 GSM cupstock, typical Taber stiffness is 4.44 mN·m (CD target) and 8.40 mN·m (MD target).
Edge wicking (infiltration) measures how far hot water penetrates the cut edge of cupstock paper, tested at 95°C hot water. Standard requirement is ≤5mm using the distance method. Low edge wicking is critical for preventing cup leakage during hot beverage service.
Cupstock paper for food contact must comply with GB 4806.8-2016 (China national food safety standard for paper and paperboard). International certifications include FDA (US market) and EU 1935/2004 (European market). FSC certification for sustainable sourcing is also commonly required.
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