As a leading custom drinkware manufacturer, we excel at transforming unique product ideas into high-quality, market-promising products – especially in the field of custom stainless steel insulated cups. Recently, we have collaborated with forward-thinking enterprises to develop groundbreaking designs, such as a 40oz double-layer insulated cup with an integrated rectangular drying storage space. This design has recently been inquired about by our customer (to protect customer privacy, we will not disclose any information regarding the customer’s identity or the company they work for). Whether your design includes special storage functions, unique shapes, or customized features, our engineering and manufacturing team is capable of converting your specifications into an outstanding product.
What Custom Features Can We Accommodate?
We understand that every innovative cup design comes with specific requirements. Here’s how we can meet your custom needs:
- Materials: Food-grade stainless steel (18/8 or 304) for safety, with customizable wall thickness (e.g., 0.5mm inner / 0.6mm outer as in customer’s specs).
- Insulation: Double-walled, vacuum-sealed technology to maintain drink temperatures for hours.
- Special Add-ons: Integrated storage spaces (rectangular, cylindrical, or custom shapes), silicone-lined plastic handles, leak-proof lids (polypropylene, Tritan, or stainless steel with silicone gaskets), and firm-yet-flexible plastic straws.
- Finishes & Branding: Polished stainless steel surfaces, custom shapes, and logo imprinting via laser engraving, silk screening, or transfer printing.
- Capacity: Support for 40oz (as our customer requested) as well as other sizes (12oz–64oz).
What Is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for Custom Production?
For custom insulated cups with unique features (like integrated storage or specialized shapes), our standard MOQ starts at 3000 units. This ensures cost efficiency in tooling and production. However, we offer flexibility for trial runs or smaller batches. See the list below for reference.
- MOQ: 3000PCS
- 10000PCS (1% cost down)
- 30000PCS (2% cost down)
- 50000PCS (2.5% cost down）
- 100000PCS (3% cost down)
- 500000PCS(3.5% cost down)
As you can see, the bigger volume of your water bottle / tumbler / can cooler order quantities, the more discount you can obtain.
KingStar supports startups and small businesses. The first order can be less than 3000pcs. But if your purchase quantity is less than 3000pcs, the unit price will rise by at least 10%. The order quantity of less than 3000pcs will produce a lot of waste in each production process and moreover, the proportion of freight costs allocated to each product will also increase.
Contact us with your specific design, and we’ll provide a tailored MOQ recommendation.
How Much Does Custom Manufacturing Cost, and What Affects Pricing?
Our previous post How Much Does It Cost To Manufacture A Stainless Steel Water Bottle thoroughly analyzed the breakdown of each cost component—feel free to check it out for deeper insights.
Broadly speaking, pricing hinges on three key factors:
- Design Complexity: Special features like integrated storage or custom shapes may require one-time tooling or mold fees, which we’ll clarify upfront.
- Materials & Volume: Larger orders (e.g., 3000+ units) often qualify for bulk discounts, as material and production costs become more efficient at scale. But in general, the material costs are approximately as follows:
- 18/8 Stainless steel costs $0.005 / g
- 316 Stainless steel costs $0.006 / g
- 201 Stainless steel costs $0.0045 / g
- polypropylene costs $0.002 / g
- AS costs $0.0025 / g
- TRITAN costs $0.005 / g
- Silicone costs $0.003 / g
This is the market price we referred to while writing this post. However, you need to check the latest market price when placing the order or we can provide you with it.
- Customization:
- Add-ons such as premium finishes or color/pattern printing can influence final pricing. For example, surface treatments for stainless steel water bottles vary in cost: spray painting and heat transfer printing (including a painted base) start around $0.15–$0.25 per unit, while powder coating and water transfer printing typically range from $0.40–$0.60. More specialized options like sublimation transfer printing include a base cost plus a one-time plate fee.
- For private label logos, pricing depends on the method and complexity: silk screening for single-color logos starts at $0.03 per unit (with a slight increase for multi-color designs), laser engraving ranges from $0.05–$1.15 based on logo size, and embossing/debossing requires custom tooling (priced according to logo dimensions and intricacy).
Please share your design files with us, and we will provide you with a detailed quotation corresponding to your design. Regarding the documents we need you to provide, please continue to read the next section.
What Information and Files Do You Need to Create a Prototype?
To develop an accurate prototype that matches your vision, we’ll need the following from you:
- Design Files: 3D CAD models (e.g., .STEP, .IGS, or .STL formats) or detailed 2D technical drawings with dimensions (including wall thickness, storage space size, and lid specifications).
- Logo & Branding Assets: High-resolution logo artwork in vector format (e.g., .AI, .EPS, or .SVG) for precise imprinting. If you need text or monograms, share the font style and placement details.
- Material & Finish Specifications: Confirm details like inner/outer stainless steel grades (e.g., 304 inner, 201 outer), lid material (polypropylene, Tritan, etc.), and finish type (polished, matte, etc.).
- Functional Requirements: Notes on key features (e.g., “storage space must fit a standard tea bag” or “lid must be 100% leak-proof”) to ensure the prototype meets usability needs.
What Are the Lead Times for Prototyping and Production?
- Prototyping: Once we receive your design files (CAD, 3D models) and specs, prototypes are ready in 1 week. This allows you to test functionality, fit, and finish before mass production.
- Mass Production: After prototype approval, production takes 3–6 weeks, depending on order size.
- Shipping: Transit time varies by destination (e.g., 1-4 weeks to the US). We’ll coordinate logistics to ensure on-time delivery.
What Certifications and Information Do You Provide?
For U.S.-based brands, we prioritize compliance with strict American standards—here’s what you’ll receive:
Key Certifications include:
- FDA Approval: All stainless steel drinkware (bottles, cups, lids) is FDA-compliant, meeting food contact safety standards for materials like 18/8 and 304 stainless steel, and BPA-free plastics (Tritan, PP).
- Prop 65 Compliance: Documentation confirming our products are free from California’s list of harmful chemicals (e.g., lead, phthalates), critical for sales in California and most U.S. retailers.
We also provide other Supporting Documentation under request:
- Material Certificates: Verification of food-grade stainless steel and non-toxic lid materials.
- Performance Reports: Test results for insulation (e.g., “24+ hours cold, 12+ hours hot”) and leak resistance, to back your product claims.
All docs are provided in U.S. standard formats, with clear English translations. Let us know if your retailer requires additional paperwork—we’ll deliver it promptly.
Ready to Bring Your Design to Market?
Whether you’re a startup with a game-changing idea or an established brand expanding your line, we’re here to streamline your manufacturing journey.
Get started in 3 steps:
- Share your design files and requirements with our team.
- Receive a tailored quote (including MOQ, pricing, and timelines).
- Approve the prototype, then move to mass production.
Let’s turn your innovative insulated cup into the next market hit. Contact us at sales@waterbottle.tech or submit our inquiry form by clicking the red “INQUIRY NOW” button on right top—we will respond within 24 hours.
