A consumer tray box is a shallow, open-topped tray that holds a product flat and in view, finished with a lid or a printed sleeve when the product needs covering. TBPB makes them to your dimensions and artwork with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs, we beat it.
Why a tray instead of a closed box
A closed box hides the product until it is opened. A tray does the opposite: the item sits square in the base, nothing blocks the view, and the whole thing photographs cleanly from above. That is why trays turn up in gift sets, accessories, stationery, small electronics and anything sold on a retail shelf with a clear lid or a sleeve over it. The tray also stacks, so a counter display or a shipping carton can hold several in a tidy layer.
Three ways to close it
You can leave the tray open for a display, add a separate lid that drops over the top, or slide the tray into a printed sleeve. The sleeve is the one most people underestimate. The buyer pulls the tray out and the product is revealed in a single motion, and the sleeve carries the branding, so the tray itself can stay plain. A lid gives better dust protection and lets you print the inside as well. An open tray is the least protective and works best when it sits inside another carton or a display fixture.
Sizing the tray and choosing the board
Measure the product at its widest, longest and tallest points and add about 1/8 inch of clearance per side so the item drops in without catching. Tray walls should be at least as tall as the lowest part of the product you want covered, and taller if a lid or sleeve has to clear it. For board, light consumer goods sit comfortably on folding carton paperboard in the 16 to 24 pt range. Heavier items, or products that will be handled a lot, do better on a thicker board or a corrugated tray, which resists bowing under weight. Tell us the product weight and we will point you to the right stock.
Print and finish
Trays print in full-colour CMYK with Pantone matching for brand colours. A matte aqueous coating is easy on the eye and hides fingerprints, gloss makes colour pop, and soft-touch lamination adds a velvety feel that suits gift sets. Spot UV, foil stamping and embossing can be added to lids and sleeves when the budget allows, and they photograph well.
- Open tray, tray with lid, or tray with sleeve
- Folding carton paperboard or corrugated board, depending on weight
- CMYK printing with Pantone matching
- Matte, gloss or soft-touch finishes; foil, spot UV and embossing as options
- Custom height, width and length, with an insert if the product needs to be held in place
- No minimum order
When a different style works better
If you only need a plain, standard-sized tray with no frills, our custom tray boxes page covers the basics, and the tray boxes page is the wider overview. Food sellers should look at food tray packaging boxes instead, since those are set up around food use. If your product will bounce around in transit, a shipping style such as the mailer box is usually the safer outer package, with the tray sitting inside it. You can browse everything in the tray box category too.
One thing that catches first-time buyers: a tray looks simple, but the wall height and the lid or sleeve clearance have to be right together, or the lid either rubs the product or sits loose. Giving us the real product, not just a drawing, avoids that.
Send us the product dimensions and a quantity, even if it is just one, and we will draw the dieline and quote the job.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for consumer tray boxes?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order one prototype tray or thousands for a retail launch. Send your product dimensions and quantity and we draw the dieline and quote it. If you have a written quote for the same specs elsewhere, we beat it.
What is the difference between a tray with a lid and a tray with a sleeve?
A lid is a separate piece that drops over the tray and protects the product from dust. A sleeve is a printed band the tray slides out of, which creates a reveal and carries the branding. Sleeves are lighter on material, lids protect more.
How do I size a custom tray box?
Measure your product at its longest, widest and tallest points, then add about 1/8 inch of clearance on each side so it drops in freely. Choose wall height to cover the part of the product you want hidden or protected, and make it taller if a lid or sleeve must clear.
What board is best for a tray box?
For light consumer goods, folding carton paperboard in roughly the 16 to 24 pt range works well. Heavier or frequently handled products do better on thicker board or a corrugated tray. Tell us the product weight and how it will be shipped, and we recommend a stock.
Can a tray box hold the product in place?
Yes. If the product slides or needs to sit in a fixed spot, we can add an insert with cut-outs shaped to the item. That is useful for sets of small items or fragile pieces. Send the product dimensions so we can size the pockets correctly.
Can I print on the inside of the tray?
Yes. Both the outside and the inside surfaces can carry print, which is a good way to add a message or pattern that appears when the box is opened. Send your artwork or ask us for the dieline so your designer can place it correctly.
More Tray Boxes
See the full Tray Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
