The Complete Guide to Ice Cream Packaging for UK Businesses
Ice cream is one of the UK's most seasonal and competitive food categories. Whether you're a small batch gelato maker or scaling up production, packaging plays a bigger role than you might think.
This guide covers everything UK ice cream businesses need to know from materials and sizes to eco options and ordering minimums.
Why Packaging Matters for Ice Cream Businesses
In a busy market stall or a freezer aisle full of options, your packaging is often the first thing a new customer notices before they've tasted a single scoop. It communicates quality, sets expectations, and tells your brand story in seconds.
For ice cream specifically, packaging also does something more practical: it protects your product from the elements, prevents contamination, and makes the eating experience smoother. A lid that doesn't seal properly, a cup that sweats in the sun, or a tub that leaks in transit; these aren't small inconveniences. They directly affect how customers feel about your brand.
Getting your packaging right from the start saves time, waste, and reorders down the line. Here's what to look for.
Types of Ice Cream Packaging: What Are Your Options?
There's more variety than most new suppliers expect. Here's a quick overview of the main formats and when each one works best:
| Packaging Type | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Paper cups (with lids) | Single scoops, gelato bars, markets | Lightweight, eco friendly, easy to brand |
| Plastic tubs | Retail, supermarkets, takeaway pints | Durable, freezer safe, tamper evident lids |
| Biodegradable tubs | Eco conscious brands, farmers' markets | Compostable or recyclable, strong brand story |
| Flat/dome lids | Paper and plastic cups alike | Prevents spills, improves presentation |
| Wrappers & sleeves | Wrapped bars, artisan ice lollies | Full surface branding, impulse buy appeal |
| Insulated carrier bags | Takeaway orders, delivery | Keeps product cold, reduces mess |
Most businesses end up using a combination, for example, paper cups for on the go sales and tubs for retail or catering quantities. Think about each touchpoint your product goes through before it reaches the customer.
Materials Guide: Plastic vs Biodegradable vs Paper
This is often the decision that takes the most time and for good reason. Your material choice affects cost, shelf life, customer perception, and in some cases, your legal obligations.
Plastic is still the most widely used option for ice cream tubs. It's freezer safe, durable, and familiar to retail buyers. The downside? Consumers are increasingly asking brands to move away from single use plastic and in some segments, it can work against your brand image.
Biodegradable and compostable options (such as PLA lined paper or bagasse) have improved significantly in recent years. They work well for on the go formats and align with growing consumer demand for sustainability. Just check that they're certified compostable rather than just labelled "eco" look for EN 13432 or BPI certification.
Paper cups and tubs are a practical middle ground. They're more eco friendly than plastic, take well to printing, and feel premium in the hand. For gelato shops and market traders, they're often the go to. Pair with a well fitted lid and they perform just as well for most use cases.
For more detail on sustainable options, see our eco friendly packaging guide.
Sizes & Quantities: What Do UK Businessess Actually Need?
Ice cream packaging comes in a wider range of sizes than most people expect. Here are the most commonly ordered:
| Format | Common Sizes (UK Standard) | Typical Use |
| Single scoop cups | 4oz (~115ml) / 6oz (~170ml) | Parlours, kiosks, and street food |
| Double scoop cups | 8oz (~230ml) / 10oz (~285ml) | Sit-in service and dessert parlours |
| Retail tubs | 125ml / 500ml / 1 Litre | Farm shops, supermarkets, and delivery |
| Catering / Napoli tubs | General industry sizes | Gelato displays and restaurant supply |
On minimum order quantities (MOQs): this is one of the biggest pain points for smaller suppliers. Many manufacturers require large minimum runs, sometimes thousands of units, which makes it hard to test new formats or manage cash flow carefully.
At Packaging Wise, we keep our MOQs low so that small and growing businesses can order what they actually need. You can also browse related options like food bowls for delivery if you're covering multiple product lines.
How to Choose the Right Supplier
Once you know what you need, choosing where to buy from is the next step. Here's a simple checklist to help you evaluate your options:
- Lead times: Can they deliver when you need it? For seasonal products like ice cream, timing matters enormously.
- MOQ flexibility: Are you forced to over order? Look for suppliers who work with smaller quantities, especially if you're still testing formats.
- Eco credentials: Do they offer certified compostable or recyclable alternatives? Can they provide documentation?
- UK based support: It makes a real difference when queries are handled locally, no time zone issues, faster resolution.
-
Product compatibility: Do lids, cups and tubs come from the same range? Mixing suppliers can cause sizing mismatches and leakage problems.
Ordering Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced buyers make these mistakes. A few things worth knowing before you place your next order:
Order earlier than you think you need to. Ice cream season in the UK tends to arrive quickly, and suppliers get busy from March onwards. If you're planning for summer, start ordering in February or March at the latest.
Test your lids before committing to a large order. It sounds obvious, but lid to cup compatibility varies even within the same size category. A quick test order will save a lot of trouble later.
Don't overlook the secondary packaging. Carry bags, tissue, and napkins all contribute to the overall experience. Customers remember the full unboxing not just the cup. Browse our cup lids collection if you're still deciding on your format.
Think about storage space. If you're ordering in bulk to hit a better price point, make sure you have somewhere dry and cool to store everything. Damp warehouses can damage paper based packaging faster than you'd expect.
