Custom kraft takeout boxes are printed paperboard cartons in natural brown, made to hold a carry-out meal, a sandwich or a baked item and carry your branding out the door. TBPB makes them with no minimum order, and if you have a written quote for the same specs elsewhere, our price-beat guarantee means we will beat it.
Start with the food, not the box
Most takeout box problems are food problems. Hot, steamy food sweats inside a closed carton, and plain uncoated kraft will go soft where condensation collects. Greasy food, such as fried chicken or fries, can darken the board within minutes. Dry and room-temperature items, like sandwiches, pastries, cookies, salads in a separate container, and wrapped burgers, suit plain kraft best. For wet or oily food, plan a liner, a wrapper or an inner container, and confirm food-contact requirements with your own regulatory adviser. TBPB prints the artwork you supply and does not certify food contact.
Sizing for real menu items
Measure the finished, plated item as it will be packed, not the raw ingredient. A sandwich is taller wrapped than bare, and a burger compresses when the lid closes. Allow about 1/8 inch per side for a folding carton, and more if the item is soft and you want air around it so the lid does not squash it. If you serve several items, resist forcing one box to fit all of them. One tight size for your best seller and one roomy size for combos usually beats a single compromise that looks loose on half your orders.
How the lid closes matters in a delivery bag
A box that is fine on the counter can open itself in a delivery bag. Tuck closures hold well for light food. Locking tabs hold better if the bag gets thrown around on a scooter. A tuck top that sits only on friction can pop open if the contents push up. Tell us how the order travels, and whether it goes in a bag, a carrier tray or a courier compartment, and we choose the closure to match.
Stacking is the other thing people forget. Delivery drivers and kitchens stack boxes, so the lid needs enough rigidity to carry the weight of the carton above it. If you expect stacks of three or four, say so when you request a quote. A flimsy lid is the most common reason a printed takeout box looks crushed by the time it reaches the customer.
- Board: natural brown kraft paperboard, board weight matched to the food
- Style: folding takeout carton, sized to your menu items
- Print: one-color, CMYK or Pantone match on brown stock
- Finish: matte or gloss aqueous coating where the artwork and food allow
- Sizes: fully custom, drawn to your inside dimensions
Branding on a box that is mostly about hunger
A takeout box is seen at arm’s length for about a minute, usually by someone who is hungry. Keep the artwork large and simple: your logo, one strong line, and a contact or social handle. Black ink on kraft is legible from across a room, and it prints cleanly. Fine small text, pale colors and detailed illustrations lose contrast on brown board and tend to turn muddy.
When another style is better
If you want a carrying handle for family orders or catering, look at our kraft gable boxes. For traditional folded-pail shapes, our Chinese takeout boxes are a better match, and for burgers, fries and wraps check the fast food boxes. The general kraft range is in the kraft boxes category.
Next step: send the packed food dimensions and a quantity, even one, and TBPB draws the dieline and quotes it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for custom kraft takeout boxes?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so a restaurant can order a single box to test the fit with a real menu item, or order thousands for a launch. Starting small is a good way to check closure strength and print before scaling.
Can kraft takeout boxes hold hot or greasy food?
Plain uncoated kraft absorbs oil and moisture, so very hot, wet or greasy food can soften or stain it. Use a liner, wrapper or inner container for those items, and check food-contact requirements with your own regulatory adviser.
How do I size a takeout box?
Measure the food as it is actually packed, with its wrapper, and add about 1/8 inch per side. Leave more room for soft items so the lid does not crush them. Send us the numbers and the dieline is drawn to fit.
Will the lid stay closed in a delivery bag?
It depends on the closure. Tuck closures suit light items, while locking tabs hold better when bags get shaken or stacked. Tell us how the order is delivered and we will recommend a closure that holds in transit.
Can I print my logo in full color on kraft?
Yes, but full-color printing looks darker and duller on brown board. Black and other dark single-color logos print cleanest and read from a distance. For bright color, ask about white kraft or white-lined board. We can send a proof so you can judge the contrast before printing.
Are kraft takeout boxes recyclable?
Plain paper-based kraft cartons are usually accepted in paper recycling, but food contamination, coatings and liners can change that. Check local rules, and tell us your finish plans so we can avoid choices that undermine the claim.
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