Welcome to CustomBoxline! Explore the full spectrum of our customised products and services!
Welcome to CustomBoxline! Explore the full spectrum of our customised products and services!
Custom food tray packaging solves a problem every high-volume food operation runs into: serving several items, or one large portion, in a single branded unit that is quick to load, easy to carry and consistent from the first order of the day to the last. CustomBoxline manufactures paper and paperboard food trays to your dimensions and artwork for caterers, stadium and event concessionaires, food stands, restaurant groups and meal-program operators throughout the Country. Trays sit at the center of most combo and catering orders, so we build them to work with the rest of your packaging. Pair them with our burger boxes, hot dog boxes, French fries boxes, sandwich boxes and drink carriers, or explore the full food and beverage packaging range to plan your entire program in one place.
A custom food tray is a paper or paperboard tray made to your exact length, width and depth, printed with your branding and produced in the volumes your operation needs. Unlike generic stock trays, a custom tray is sized to your portions and designed around the way your staff load, stack and hand over orders. This page is organized around those questions, so you can move from evaluation to a request for quote quickly. The people who specify food trays are usually not designers. They are operations managers, catering directors, concession buyers and purchasing teams who care about:
The best format depends on how food is served and how far it travels. Use this guide to shortlist the right option.
| Service model | Recommended tray format | Why buyers choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Stadium, arena and festival concessions | Open paperboard tray | Fast to load, easy to carry to seats, low cost per unit |
| Combo meals and fast casual | Tray with inserts for mains and sides | Keeps burgers, fries and sauces in their own space |
| Corporate catering and boxed lunches | Tray and sleeve | Closed, branded presentation that slides open at the table |
| Platters and grazing boxes | Two-piece tray with lid | Structured lid for transport and a clean reveal |
| Grab-and-go retail | Tray with window | Shows the food while keeping it covered |
| Delivery and longer transport | Corrugated tray | Extra strength for heavier or stacked orders |
Every tray begins with a custom dieline built from your inside dimensions in inches, centimeters or millimeters. From there, you choose the construction that suits your menu.
Open trays are the workhorse of concessions and food stands. They hold burgers, hot dogs, nachos, fries and snacks in a shallow, easy-to-carry format. Our paperboard trays are made from durable stock in several thicknesses and printed with your logo and contact details.
Custom inserts create separate spaces within a single tray, so mains, sides and dips stay apart. This is the go-to construction for combo meals, kids’ meals and sampler platters.
A printed sleeve slides over an inner tray to close the pack and carry most of the branding. Tray and sleeve formats work well for boxed lunches, chef’s boxes and premium catering where presentation matters.
A separate lid and base give platters and grazing boxes a structured, stackable format for delivery. Two-piece boxes are also a strong option for corporate gifting and event hospitality.
A die-cut window with clear film lets customers and staff see the food without opening the pack, which helps in grab-and-go fridges, deli counters and catering drop-offs.
Board choice is driven by load weight, distance traveled and the look you want. Share your heaviest portion and how it will be transported, and our team will confirm the right grade.
Characteristics: Smooth, lightweight and print-friendly
Best suited to: Concession trays, combo trays and sleeves
Characteristics: Natural brown in cardboard or corrugated grades
Best suited to: Farm-to-table, artisan and eco-positioned brands
Characteristics: Fluted board with added strength
Best suited to: Heavier platters, stacked delivery and catering
Characteristics: Thick, premium board
Best suited to: Hospitality gifting and luxury presentation
Printed colors appear more muted on kraft than on white board, so brands with tight color standards typically specify white paperboard for printed trays.
Trays are handled at close range for the entire meal, which makes them one of the most-viewed pieces of packaging in foodservice. Plan the artwork with that in mind. Print Coverage: Outside and inside surfaces can each be printed in one, two or three colors or in full color, or left blank. Print your logo, venue or event name, menu items, sponsor logos, QR codes for ordering or feedback, and contact details. Inside printing is especially useful on open trays, where the base stays visible until the food is finished. Sponsor and Event Artwork: For stadiums, festivals and conferences, trays are a practical place for sponsor branding or event-specific artwork. Because each design is quoted separately with a minimum of 100 pieces per size and design, you can produce short event runs alongside your standard stock. All files go through artwork inspection, and every order includes a digital proof and a free 3D mockup. Our artwork guidelines list the file requirements your design team needs.
Finishes and Add-Ons:
Few operations buy trays in isolation. A concession stand might pair trays with popcorn boxes and drink carriers, while a caterer might combine trays with take out boxes and sushi boxes for mixed menus. Restaurant groups adding pizza by the slice often specify trays alongside pizza boxes.
Sourcing these items together means one design system, one approval process and one supplier relationship. It also makes it easier to keep colors and branding consistent across every piece a customer handles.
Understanding the cost drivers helps purchasing teams set budgets and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
Every quote can compare up to three quantities, which lets you see where price breaks fall before you commit. The minimum order is 100 pieces per size and design.
Many venues, universities and corporate clients now include packaging in their sustainability requirements. Paper and paperboard trays are a natural fit for these programs, and recyclable and biodegradable options are available. Kraft board also signals an eco-conscious brand at a glance. Share your organization’s targets with our team, and we’ll recommend material and finish combinations that align with them.
Food tray usage is often seasonal or event-driven. Sports seasons, summer festivals, conference calendars and holiday catering all create predictable peaks. Build these into your purchasing plan:
Tray dimensions, format, board, print and finish requirements, and up to three quantities.
A quote comparing your quantity options.
Supply print-ready files or work with our free design support.
Review the custom dieline, digital proof and free 3D mockup.
Select priority, standard or economy, or give us a fixed event date.
Trays ship to your venue, kitchen or warehouse anywhere in the United States.
Send your tray dimensions, preferred format, board, print requirements and target quantities, and our packaging team will prepare a detailed quote. To plan a season of events, a catering program or a multi-location rollout, call 1-800-205-9972 or email sales@customboxline.com.
We use premium-grade materials for durability and aesthetics.
Unlimited design options with vibrant, high-resolution printing.
Quick production times with on-time shipping across the NZ.
We provide Professional design assistance and customer support
Yes. Every tray is built to your exact length, width and depth, so it can match your current portions or a new menu specification.
Yes. Custom inserts and dividers create separate spaces for mains, sides and sauces within one tray.
The minimum is 100 pieces per size and design, with bulk pricing on larger wholesale volumes.
Yes. Each design is quoted separately, so you can produce sponsor or event-specific trays alongside your standard design.
Tell us what you serve, including hot, oily or saucy items, and whether food sits directly on the tray. Our team will confirm suitable material and coating options before production.
Corrugated board is recommended for heavier platters and stacked delivery. Our team will confirm the grade once we know your load and transport method.
Priority, standard and economy production are available, and you can share a fixed event date for urgent orders. Timing is confirmed with your quote.
We deliver anywhere in the United States. Share your delivery address and any receiving requirements when you request a quote.
