Custom Paper Straws.

Three plies is the minimum we'd specify for cold drinks, and four for wide straws or drinks that sit for a long time. Two-ply is the economy grade, and it's the one that gave paper straws their soggy reputation.

The straw is built from paper strips spiral-wound and glued in layers. Each extra ply adds wall thickness, so the straw keeps its shape longer before the paper softens.

The glue holds the plies together, so if it softens in liquid the straw unwinds however many plies it has. We use a food-safe adhesive that doesn't dissolve in the drink.

Ply count gets most of the attention when buyers compare straws, but a four-ply straw with the wrong glue can fail sooner than a well-bonded three-ply. Ask any supplier what adhesive they use as well as how many plies.

Thick drinks need an 8 to 10mm straw, while 6mm across and 197mm long is the standard for most cold drinks. Diameter is measured across the outside of the straw and length from end to end.

A wider straw has more wall to hold up, so we build the smoothie sizes with more plies. Custom lengths can be cut as well, for example a shorter straw for a small glass.

Yes, your brand print runs along the length of the straw in food-safe inks that won't bleed into the drink. Stripes are the category's familiar pattern, and a logo or name can repeat between them.

For table service we can wrap each straw individually in paper so it stays clean until the customer opens it. White and natural kraft are the two base papers if you'd rather keep the print minimal.

We offer certified compostable grades and can share the certification for the grade you choose. Plenty of straws are sold as compostable with nothing behind the claim, so it's a fair thing to ask any supplier for.

The paper itself can be recycled stock, with the recycled content stated. Both documents are useful to have on file if your menu or cup print carries a sustainability claim.

A well-made three-ply straw holds its shape for the twenty minutes or so a customer spends on a cold drink. Twenty minutes is the benchmark we test to, because that's how people actually use a straw.

Order a sample and leave it in your own drink for that long. Cheap two-ply straws often pass a five-minute check and then soften and flatten before the glass is finished.

You can order printed paper straws from 500 pieces. Large programmes go up to 100,000 straws in a single order.

Straws get used fast in a busy café, so many buyers order well above the minimum once the sample has passed. We'll quote a few quantity breaks side by side if that helps you decide.

Plan on 7 to 10 business days of production after artwork approval. A rush slot shortens that to 5 to 7 business days when a launch or event date is fixed.

Samples come back within 5 to 7 business days, leaving time for the twenty-minute drink test before you commit. Whatever you pay for the sample is credited to the production order, and the finished straws ship to any US address.