What Are Coffee Cup Trays Used For? — Uncover the Secrets Behind Their Machine Production
In today’s fast-paced world, take-out coffee is part of many people’s daily routine. Whether during a busy commute or a mid-afternoon break, a warm cup of coffee is always welcome. But behind every convenient coffee run, there’s a small but essential item — the coffee cup tray. What is the actual use of a coffee cup tray? And how is it mass-produced using a coffee cup tray forming machine?
What Is a Coffee Cup Tray?
A coffee cup tray is a molded pulp tray designed to hold multiple cups, typically 2-cup or 4-cup types. Made from biodegradable and eco-friendly paper pulp, it’s a one-time-use product that’s strong, practical, and sustainable. Common colors include grey or natural kraft.
Main Uses of Coffee Cup Trays
Takeout & Delivery
As drink deliveries rise, cup trays help stabilize cups, preventing spills and ensuring safe transport.
In-Store Pickup & Multi-Cup Carrying
Used by staff and customers in coffee chains like Starbucks or Costa to carry several cups at once, saving time and effort. In convenience stores with self-serve hot drink stations, cup trays offer safer and easier handling.
Brand Promotion
Customized trays printed with logos or messages act as mobile ads, making the packaging part of the marketing.
Eco-Friendly Packaging Alternative
With the global shift away from plastic, molded pulp trays are gaining popularity for being recyclable and biodegradable.
The Machine Behind It — Coffee Cup Tray Forming Machine
Mass production of coffee trays relies on the coffee cup tray making machine, a fully automatic machine designed for pulp-molded packaging. The process includes:
- Pulping: Waste paper is mixed with water and processed into fine pulp.
- Forming: The pulp is vacuum-formed on a mold into 2-cup or 4-cup tray shapes.
- 건조: Wet trays are dried in multi-layer dryers until fully set.
- Hot Pressing: Trays are heat-pressed to enhance strength and smooth the surface.
- Stacking & Packing: Finished trays are counted, stacked, and packed for shipping.
Process Summary: Waste Paper → Pulping → Forming → Drying → Hot Pressing → Packing
Why Use a Coffee Tray Forming Machine?
Highly Automated, Less Labor Required
- Integrates pulping, molding, drying, and hot pressing in one system.
High Output for Mass Production
- Depending on the model, daily output can reach thousands of trays — ideal for packaging plants or exporters.
Supports Custom Molds
- Easily produce other pulp-molded items like tea trays, wine bottle holders, or drink cup trays.
Flexible Tray Types
- One machine can produce various tray sizes and shapes by changing molds.
Recommended Machine Model by the Author
To explore more detailed features and options, please visit our Coffee Cup Tray Making Machine product page or contact us directly.
Brand: Shuliy Machinery
Model: SL-4000-4X8
Capacity: 4000pcs/h
Power: 95kw
Voltage: 380V,50HZ
Weight: 7000kg
Size: 3250*2300*2500mm
Production date: 25-40 working days
Transportation: By sea
Surprising Uses for Coffee Cup Trays
After your coffee is gone, the tray still has value. Studies show reusing it just three times can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. Here are some clever second-life uses:
Home Storage
Great for organizing cables, stationery, jewelry, or desk accessories.
Kitchen Hacks
Sort tea bags, spice sachets, or use as a heat pad for hot pots.
Creative DIY Projects
Use for collage art, seedling pots, or handmade crafts.
More Fun Ideas
Pet snack dish, candle tray, drawer divider, phone stand — all from a simple tray!
Choose a Trusted Manufacturer — Shuliy Machinery
Though small in size, coffee cup trays play a big role in safe transport, brand image, and eco-packaging. A reliable tray forming machine is the key to scaling up production efficiently.
If you’re looking to enter the eco-packaging, drinkware support, or pulp molding industries, coffee trays are a smart starting point.
Partner with Shuliy Machinery — and let’s build a greener future together.
