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PINCH CUP
Getting Started Guide
Everything you need to go from idea to income. Step by step. No fluff. You're closer than you think, Stef.
Step-by-Step Launch Plan
STEP 1 — Validate the Product
- Order a sample from TotallyPromotional to confirm the cup walls are thin/flexible enough to pinch shut
- Test with cold liquids to see the color change in person
- If it doesn't pinch well, research thinner-walled alternatives before committing to bulk
STEP 2 — Form an LLC (California)
Cost: $70
STEP 3 — Get a California Seller's Permit
- Apply through CDTFA: cdtfa.ca.gov
- Required to collect sales tax and buy inventory tax-free for resale
- File sales tax returns quarterly or annually
Cost: Free
STEP 4 — Finalize Designs
- Designs must be one-color artwork (black or white recommended)
- Imprint area: 3.5"W × 2"H per side
- Free 2nd side imprint — use for branding or a second design
- Bold line art and text works best for single-color printing
- 10 cup color combos available (Blue→Purple, Frosted→Red, Yellow→Green, etc.)
STEP 5 — Place First Order (500 cups)
- Use code EXTRA10 for 10% off
- 500 cups × $0.90 = $450
- Setup charge: $45 (one-time per design)
- Delivery: Free
Cost: ~$495
STEP 6 — Create Amazon Seller Account
Cost: ~$40/month + $30 for barcode
STEP 7 — Ship Inventory to Amazon FBA
- Create your product listing with great photos and keywords
- Keywords: "no spill stadium cup," "pinch cup," "boat cup," "adult party cup," "color changing cup"
- Print Amazon FNSKU labels, prep shipment, send to warehouse
- Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, and returns
Cost: ~$50–100 shipping to FBA
STEP 8 — Launch the Landing Page
- Point your domain to the Pinch Cup website
- Update the Amazon button with your real listing URL
Cost: ~$12/year for domain
STEP 9 — Sell at Local Events
- Farmers markets, boat shows, beer festivals, tailgate events, lake parties
- Bring inventory + QR code to Amazon listing
- Accept payments via Square, Venmo, or cash
Cost: ~$50–150 per table rental
STEP 10 — Protect the Brand
- Search USPTO for "Pinch Cup": tmsearch.uspto.gov
- If clear, file a trademark application
- Once approved, enroll in Amazon Brand Registry for listing protection + A+ content
Cost: ~$250–350 for trademark
Estimated Startup Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| California LLC | $70 |
| Seller's Permit | Free |
| First order (500 cups + setup) | $495 |
| Amazon Professional Seller (month 1) | $40 |
| UPC Barcode (GS1) | $30 |
| Shipping to Amazon FBA | ~$75 |
| Domain name | $12 |
| First event table rental | ~$100 |
| Product liability insurance (annual) | ~$400 |
| Trademark (optional but recommended) | ~$300 |
| TOTAL | ~$1,522 |
Total Estimated Startup
~$1,522
That's it. For a real business. With real margins.
But here's the thing, Stef.
That $1,522 is you doing this 100% solo — your own LLC, your own insurance, your own everything. Full ownership from day one.
OR...
I know someone who already has an LLC, business insurance, and the infrastructure ready to go. They'd go 50/50 with you on this idea to get you started — no startup cost on your end for those pieces.
Hold off on the trademark for now. When you're making enough to venture solo, you file it under YOUR business name. Your brand. Your empire.
Either path works. Both end with you winning. 🤏
Profit Estimates
Amazon Sales (per cup)
| Sell price | $4.99 |
| Cup cost | $0.99 |
| Amazon fees (referral + FBA) | ~$3.00 |
| Profit per cup | ~$1.00 |
Event Sales (per cup)
| Sell price | $4.99 |
| Cup cost | $0.99 |
| Profit per cup | ~$4.00 |
🎪 At $4.00 profit/cup at events: sell ~125 cups to cover startup costs
📦 At $1.00 profit/cup on Amazon: sell ~500 cups to cover startup costs
🏆 Mix of both (events + Amazon) and you're profitable within the first 1-2 batches
📈 At 2,500 cups the cost drops to $0.68/cup — margins get even better
Important Notes
- One-color imprint only — designs need to be bold, simple line art
- Cup height is 4-3/16" — shorter than a typical tall stadium cup, standard 12 oz size
- Hand-wash only — include this in Amazon listing care instructions
- Prop 65 (California) — confirm with manufacturer that no listed substances are present
- Product liability insurance — Amazon may require this after $10K in sales
- Order samples first — test the pinch mechanic before committing to 500 units
- Scale up — at 2,500 cups the cost drops to $0.68/cup, boosting margins significantly
Future Growth Ideas
- Test which designs sell best at events before scaling on Amazon
- Film TikTok/Instagram content: boat wake tests, Jeep trails, tailgate chaos
- Offer multi-packs on Amazon (4-pack, 6-pack) for higher average order value
- Seasonal/limited-edition designs to create urgency
- Reach out to boat rental companies, party bus operators, and breweries for bulk/wholesale deals
Hey Stef.
This isn't a dream. It's math. The numbers work. The cup exists. The website is built. The only thing between you and this being real is placing that first sample order.
One step at a time. You got this. 🤏