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EVC91002

Corrugated A-Frame Cup Carrier

Available in a wide range of custom configurations & material selection.
Order 1 sample. Or order 100K+ units. Or anything in between.
Affordable delivery across North America.
Design support, warehousing, testing, assembly available.
Widest machinery capability in America via 30+ specialist partner plants.

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Product details

Top highlights

Manual assembly with a tool-free handle lock
Customizable grid for different cup counts and diameters
Open A-frame design with large angled print panels

About this product

The EVC91002 is a one-piece corrugated carrier designed for retail takeout, beverage service, and point-of-sale handoff. It features a flat base with custom circular cutouts to seat cups or bottles, while the side walls fold up into an A-frame profile to form a central carrying handle.

Because it relies on a mechanical tongue-and-slit lock at the handle, it sets up quickly by hand without tape or glue. It is an open-sided presentation carrier, making it a strong fit for direct-to-consumer handoff rather than parcel shipping.

Common uses

Coffee shop takeout
Craft beer bottle carriers
Retail cosmetic cylinder kits
Event beverage service

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Cup or bottle diameter

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Retail Handoff and Beverage Transport

Point-of-Sale Beverage Takeout

The A-frame structure allows retail staff to quickly erect the carrier, load multiple cups, and hand it directly to the customer. The die-cut base keeps individual cups separated to prevent tipping during hand transport.

Retail Bottle and Cylinder Kitting

Beyond beverages, the flat base and circular cutouts work well for grouping cosmetic bottles, craft beer, or specialty jars into a single grab-and-go presentation unit.

Event and Festival Beverage Service

For high-volume event serving, the flat-packed delivery and fast manual setup help staff manage multiple drink orders efficiently without relying on secondary trays.

Promotional Product Grouping

The large, angled side panels provide a continuous surface for branding, making this carrier useful for seasonal promotions or sample kits that require high visibility on the retail counter.

Retail, Food Service, and Kitting

Food Service and Cafes

High-volume takeout environments benefit from the carrier's flat delivery and fast manual setup. The lack of adhesive means staff can store them flat under the counter and fold them into shape only when an order is ready.

Specialty Retailers

The two large, angled side panels provide uninterrupted billboard space for branding, making this carrier useful for promotional kits or seasonal product groupings.

Breweries and Craft Beverage Shops

Shops selling mixed packs of cans or bottles can use the die-cut base to secure heavy glass or aluminum, provided the board grade is matched to the payload weight.

When to Consider Enclosed or Automated Carriers

Parcel Shipping and Courier Delivery

This carrier has open sides and an exposed top. If the products will ship through mixed-carrier networks, a fully enclosed corrugated shipper or a mailer with internal partitions is a safer choice.

Automated Packing Lines

The tongue-and-slit handle lock is designed for manual assembly. If packing lines rely on automated folder-gluers, a different carrier style may be worth comparing.

Cup Fit, Board Choice, and Moisture Control

Condensation and Moisture Control

If the carrier will hold cold beverages, condensation can weaken standard corrugated board over time. Discuss moisture-resistant board options or specific coatings to prevent the base from sagging under the weight of the cups.

Cup Diameter and Taper

The cutouts must be sized to catch the cup at the correct height. Knowing the exact diameter and taper of the cups ensures they seat firmly in the base without slipping through or sitting too high.

Board Thickness and Handle Fold

A fine-flute corrugated board offers a good balance of base strength and clean handle folding. Moving to a thicker board increases base rigidity for heavier bottles but requires adjustments to the handle's locking slit to prevent binding.

Print Surface and Branding Layout

The A-frame design creates two prominent side panels. Deciding whether to print on just the outside or include inside printing affects the production path and board finish requirements.

Grid Layout and Handle Adjustments

Grid Layout and Spacing

The template adjusts to different cup counts, from a simple two-cup holder to larger multi-cup grids. The spacing between cutouts can be widened to prevent wider cup lids from colliding.

Handle Hole Sizing

The die-cut grip can be widened or lengthened to accommodate different hand sizes or to distribute the weight of heavier beverage loads more comfortably.

Base Margin Adjustments

The distance from the outer cup cutouts to the edge of the base can be increased. This adds structural material around the perimeter, reducing the risk of the board tearing under heavy loads.

Packing details

Stripping and Die-Cutting Considerations

Because the base features multiple circular cutouts, the manufacturing process requires dedicated stripping to remove the waste material cleanly. This is standard for flatbed die-cutting but worth noting for high-volume runs.

Additional notes

Cutout spacing and lid clearance

When specifying the layout, the spacing between the circular cutouts must account for the widest part of the cup, which is usually the lid, to prevent them from overlapping or popping off during transport.

FAQs

How do I ensure my cups fit securely in the base?

The base cutouts are sized based on the specific diameter of your cups. Providing the exact dimensions, including any taper, allows the cutouts to be positioned so the cups seat firmly without slipping through.

Can this carrier be used for shipping products through the mail?

No, this is an open-sided presentation carrier designed for hand delivery. For parcel shipping, you will need a fully enclosed corrugated box, potentially with internal dividers.

Does the handle require tape or glue to stay closed?

No. The handle uses a mechanical tongue-and-slit lock. Once the two sides are brought together, the extended tab inserts through the opposite slit to secure the carrier.

Where is the best place for branding on this carrier?

The two angled side walls offer the largest uninterrupted surface area for printing. The handle panels can also be printed, though the die-cut hand holes reduce the available space.

What happens if the cups sweat or leak?

Standard corrugated board absorbs moisture, which can weaken the base. If you are serving cold drinks, a moisture-resistant coating or specific board grade should be discussed to maintain the carrier's strength.

Are these delivered assembled or flat?

They are delivered completely flat. This maximizes pallet density and reduces storage space behind retail counters until they are needed.

Can the cutouts be different sizes in the same carrier?

Yes. Because the base is custom die-cut, the grid can be configured to hold a large cup on one side and a smaller cup or food container on the other.

Is this carrier suitable for heavy glass bottles?

It can hold glass bottles, but the board thickness and the margin around the cutouts must be adjusted to support the extra weight without tearing the base.