A custom bakery box is a printed folding carton sized to the baked good it holds: a cake, a dozen cookies or a few pastries. The right one keeps the product from sliding, lets the customer carry it flat and level, and carries your brand home. TBPB prints bakery boxes with no minimum order, so one box for a test batch is as easy as a thousand.
Reviewed by the TBPB packaging team, October 2026.
| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | None |
| Common styles | Cake box, cookie box, pastry box, donut tray, treat box |
| How to size | Measure the product on its board or tray, then add clearance |
| Food contact | Check the rules for your product and ask us about liners for greasy items |
| Samples and shipping | Free |
What does a bakery box have to do?
Three things, and the order matters. It must hold the product level and still, because a leaning cake is a ruined cake. It must stay clean when the product is greasy or iced. And it must look good on the counter and in the customer’s hand. Branding comes last, because a box that fails the first two will not be reordered no matter how it looks.
Which bakery box style do I need?
| Product | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cakes and cheesecakes | Cake box with a board base | Match the box to the board size; cakes slide in oversized boxes |
| Cookies and brownies | Folding carton or tray | Lined or wrapped interior for greasy items |
| Pastries and donuts | Tray box or open carton | Dividers stop sticking and smearing |
| Gift treats | Treat box or sleeve | Premium look for holidays |
See our cake boxes, printed cake boxes and the full bakery box range.
How do I size a bakery box?
- Measure the product as it sits on its board, tray or liner, not just the product.
- Add a quarter inch on each side so you can slide it in without touching the walls.
- Check the height with decorations. Tall piping or a topper sets the minimum height.
- Decide how many sit in one box and how they are separated.
Worked example: a 6-inch round cake on a 7-inch board, 4 inches tall with piping. A box 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 inches fits the board with room to slide it in and out, and the lid clears the piping. A 6-inch box would force the board in at an angle, and a 9-inch box would let the cake slide.
Do bakery boxes need windows?
Only if you want the product visible. A window lets customers see the goods, and it can help selling at a counter. It also weakens the panel and can fog or smear with greasy items. Ask us to confirm a window option for your spec before you plan around it.
What about grease and food contact?
Greasy and wet items can mark plain paperboard. A liner, a wrap or a parchment sheet fixes it. Food-contact rules depend on your product and your location, and they are the brand’s responsibility to check. Tell us what goes in the box, and we will advise on the options. Do not assume a box is food safe because it looks clean.
How do I keep costs down?
Standardize two or three sizes across the menu. Print one or two colors outside and leave the inside plain. Use a sticker or a sleeve for seasonal variants instead of a new box. Compare quotes on board, print, size and quantity line by line. We beat any written quote for the same specs.
How to order
Send the product dimensions, how many go in a box and a quantity, even if it is one. We return a dieline and a quote. Design help, samples and shipping are free. Request a quote here. For tray-style packaging see the donut tray boxes.
Questions buyers ask
Is there a minimum order for bakery boxes?
No. Order one box to test the fit or thousands. Many bakeries order a single box and test it with a real cake before reordering.
What size cake box do I need?
Measure the cake on its board, add about a quarter inch on each side, and check the height with decorations. Send us the numbers and we confirm the dieline.
Do bakery boxes need a window?
Only if you want the product visible. Windows can weaken a panel and smear with greasy items. Ask us to confirm a window option for your spec.
Can a plain paperboard box hold greasy baked goods?
It can stain. A liner, wrap or parchment sheet helps. Check the food-contact rules for your product and tell us what goes inside.
How do I keep bakery box cost down?
Use two or three standard sizes, print one or two colors outside and use stickers for seasonal changes.
How do I get a quote?
Send the product dimensions and quantity through the quote form. We return a dieline and a price, and we beat any written quote for the same specs.
