Cardboard Handle for Insulated Cups

So you have one of those 30 ounce aluminum insulated cups.

You are so excited!

You fill it with ice, and proceed to pour in your beverage of choice!

You go to pick it up but, did not realize how large and heavy it is. Not to mention that shiny aluminum surface is a little difficult to grasp.

What do you do?

Well, let me tell you what I did. I made a handle for mine out of cardboard.

That’s right! That wonderful, versatile corrugated paper, cut and folded, can make a great quick handle.

Let me show you how I did it!

The parts list is pretty straight forward.

• 36" X 15" of cardboard. (I had a box but a clean pizza box is a great size)
• Box cutter blade
• Duct tape
• Pencil or Marker
• Tape measure
• Straight edge to make straight long cuts
• Binder clips

I have supplied a template for the cut and fold lines of the cardboard. With measurements for each section. The thick lines are cut lines and the thin lines are fold lines.

1. Open the box flat and layout your cardboard.
2. I measured my cup at just under the rim and again just under the point where it changes sizes. It came out to about 12.5 inches on the top and 10.5 inches on the lower.
   • TIP #1: It is best that the corrugation of the cardboard run from top to bottom on the cup. This will make it easier to bend it around the curvature of the cup.
3. Draw out the template on your cardboard with the pencil or marker.
4. Carefully, cut out the cardboard template.
   • TIP #2: For the fold lines, carefully score the cardboard. Scoring is cutting only about half way through so it flexes but is not separated.

Alright, you have your cardboard handle all cut out. It is time to strategically fold it up.

1. Lay out the template upside down. Refer to the color coded diagram to identify each part being folded.
2. Fold #1 – Bring the upper inside ring around to the opposite side of the main handle in the middle. Use a clip or something to hold it in place.
3. Fold #2 – Bring the lower inside ring around to the opposite side of the main handle. Again, use a clip to hold it.
4. Fold #3 – Fold the entire structure in half at the middle of the handle. Clip it to hold it.
5. Fold #4 – Bring the upper outside ring around overlapping the upper inside ring, to the outside of the handle.
6. Fold #5 – Bring the lower outside ring around overlapping the lower inside ring, to the outside of the handle. Hold them all together with the clips.
7. With the duct tape, tear off a strip a few inches in length and wrap it around the top part of the handle.
8. Repeat with the lower part of the handle.
9. Fold #6- Wrap the top handle flap around both the upper rings where they meet the handle.
10. Again, wrap the flap with a strip of duct tape.
11. Fold #7 – Wrap the bottom handle flap around both the lower rings where they meet the handle.
12. Finally, wrap this flap with a strip of duct tape.

That is your handle!

To use it, slide your cup through the larger top ring, guiding the bottom of the cup into the smaller, lower ring.

Adjust the placement of both rings to make a nice snug fit!

There you have it, Instructables community! A quick, ultra-cheap-yet-sturdy handle for your favorite double-walled, insulated, aluminum cup.

BUT WAIT!!! It also works well enough with most 32 ounce fountain drink cups.

Enjoy your beverages!

And as always, thanks for checking out my Instructable!