Custom egg cartons are printed paperboard or molded pulp containers that hold eggs in individual cells so they travel from farm to fridge without cracking, with your farm or brand name on the lid. We make them in any count and any size with no minimum order, so a backyard flock can print a few dozen and a commercial layer house can run pallets. A standard 12-count carton measures about 11.75 by 4 by 2.75 inches and fits large and extra large eggs.
Paperboard, pulp or plastic
Molded pulp is the carton most people picture. It cushions well, breathes so condensation does not sit on the shell, and prints with a single-color stamp or a full-color label. Printed paperboard is a folding carton with die-cut cells, and it takes full-color print across the whole lid, which is why brands moving to grocery shelves choose it. Clear plastic shows the eggs but does not breathe and does not print well. For a farm stand or CSA, pulp with a label is the practical choice. For retail with a brand story, paperboard.
Specifications we build to
| Item | What we use |
|---|---|
| Counts | 4, 6, 10, 12, 18 and 30 cell, flat trays for 30, custom counts on request |
| Egg sizes | Cells sized for medium, large, extra large or jumbo, duck and quail cells available |
| Paperboard | 18 pt to 24 pt kraft or SBS with die-cut cells and a locking tab lid |
| Pulp | Recycled molded fiber, natural gray or bleached, printed with one-color stamp or a full-color pressure-sensitive label |
| Full-color offset on paperboard lids, one to two colors direct on pulp, labels in full color on either | |
| Ventilation | Standard vent holes in the lid and cell floor |
| Minimum | None. One carton to full pallets |
| Turnaround | Proof in one business day, paperboard in 7 to 10 business days, pulp 3 to 4 weeks after approval |
What has to be on the label
If you sell eggs to the public, most states require the pack date, the grade if you grade, the size, the count, your name and address, and a safe handling statement. Rules differ by state and by whether you sell at the farm gate or through a store, so check with your state department of agriculture before you print. We leave a clear panel for the pack date so you can stamp it rather than reprint the carton.
Sizing to the egg
Cells that are too large let eggs roll and crack. Cells that are too small will not close. Large eggs run about 2.25 inches tall, extra large about 2.4, jumbo up to 2.6. If your flock lays a mix, size the cell for extra large and the large eggs will sit a little loose but safe. Quail eggs need a 12 or 18 cell tray with much smaller pockets, and duck eggs need a jumbo-plus cell.
In short
Custom egg cartons are pulp or paperboard containers with individual cells and your name on the lid. Order any count with no minimum, choose pulp for farm stands or printed paperboard for retail, and size the cell to the largest egg you sell.
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Free design and dielines, free samples, no minimum order, and we beat any competitor’s written quote. Your logo in full color, fast turnaround.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom egg cartons?
None. Printed paperboard cartons can run at a few dozen for a farm stand. Molded pulp with a printed label starts equally small. Direct printing on pulp works better at larger runs because the tooling is shared.
Which is better, pulp or paperboard?
Pulp cushions better and breathes, which suits farm stands and short hauls. Paperboard prints in full color across the lid and stacks flat before use, which suits retail. Many farms use pulp for the stand and paperboard for grocery accounts.
Can the carton hold duck or quail eggs?
Yes. Duck eggs need a deeper cell than jumbo chicken eggs, and quail eggs need a small-pocket tray in 12 or 18 count. We size the cell to the egg you send us.
Can I stamp the pack date myself?
Yes. We leave an unprinted panel on the lid so you can stamp date and grade per batch instead of reprinting cartons.
Are the cartons recyclable?
Both pulp and uncoated paperboard cartons are curbside recyclable in most areas and compostable. Avoid plastic windows or coatings if that matters to your customers.
No minimum order. One or a full run. Free design and dieline, and a printed proof before production. Free samples so you can load a carton with your own eggs and check the cell fit before you commit. Price match: send a written quote for the same size, board, print and quantity and we will beat it.
Related: food tray packaging boxes, kraft take-out boxes, fast food boxes and kraft boxes.
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