Custom Tray Boxes | Open-Top Display and Shipping Tray Packaging
Corrugated or chipboard boxes with a standard-depth base designed for holding and displaying multiple items on retail counters
Key Features
About Mailer Boxes
Tray boxes are open-top packaging structures — a base with four sides and no lid — that function as product holders, display vehicles, shipping aids, and internal packaging components. Unlike enclosed box styles that protect products from all sides, tray boxes deliberately leave the top open to enable product access, display, or filling operations that require unobstructed top entry.
Tray Box Configurations
Standard tray configurations vary by depth and application. Shallow trays (25–50mm depth) serve as product display platforms in retail environments — countertop display trays holding small products at an elevated, consistent height. Medium-depth trays (50–100mm) function as product holders in multi-compartment packaging systems, as shipping trays for fragile products, and as components in tray-and-lid systems. Deep trays (100mm+) serve as primary shipping and storage containers for bulk product quantities and as base components in two-piece tray-lid configurations.
Roll-End Tray Construction
The most common tray box style uses roll-end construction — the side walls are formed by rolling continuous panel sections over scored fold lines, creating solid corner columns without the gaps that occur in standard tray corner construction. Roll-end tray boxes provide superior corner strength and more consistent interior dimensions than standard tray construction, making them preferred for applications where product fit and structural rigidity are important.
Tray Boxes as Retail Display Platforms
Shallow tray boxes in retail environments elevate products above the surrounding surface, creating a visual 'platform' effect that draws consumer attention to the trayed merchandise. A branded display tray holding 24 units of a promotional product on a pharmacy counter communicates both the product's identity and the brand's investment in retail presence — the branded tray signals that these products are worth special attention. For brands transitioning from bulk shelf placement to branded display, the tray box is the most economical entry into structured retail display packaging.
Roll-End Tray Construction for Superior Rigidity
Roll-end tray boxes form their corner columns by rolling continuous panel sections over scored fold lines — the side walls are continuous material rather than glued corner joints. This construction creates solid, rigid corner columns that provide superior compression resistance compared to standard corner-folded trays. For applications where the tray must support the weight of stacked product units or endure repeated manual loading and unloading, roll-end construction provides meaningfully better performance. The interior dimensions are also more consistent in roll-end trays because the corner material is controlled by the fold structure rather than the variability of glue joint thickness.
Tray and Lid Systems for Premium Two-Piece Packaging
Tray boxes paired with separate lids create two-piece packaging systems that combine the structural benefits of the tray format with the complete enclosure that retail and gift applications require. The lid — which can be a simple flat chipboard lid, a partially telescoping lid, or a full telescope lid — sits over the tray to complete the package. For gift packaging, the tray holds tissue paper-wrapped product while the lid provides the visual exterior. For retail applications, the lid provides product protection during shipping and display while the tray provides the structural base.
Quick Specs
- Minimum Order
- 100 units
- Production Time
- 2-3 weeks
- Free Shipping
- Yes
- Printing
- CMYK / Pantone
Industries
Affordable sample kits available
Popular Use Cases
Other Box Styles
Explore more packaging styles.
Tuck End Boxes
The most versatile folding carton style — tuck flaps on both ends create a clean, secure closure for retail and consumer goods packaging
Magnetic Closure Boxes
Rigid set-up boxes with embedded neodymium magnets creating a satisfying snap closure for luxury brand packaging
Sleeve Boxes
Two-piece inner tray and outer sleeve construction creating a controlled sliding reveal for premium product presentation
Pillow Boxes
Curved oval-ended folding carton that creates a distinctive pillow shape for gifts, accessories, and specialty retail
Gable Boxes
Self-erecting folding carton with a distinctive peaked top handle that serves as both closure and carrying mechanism
Two-Piece Boxes
Classic two-component packaging with separate lid and base for premium retail, gift, and apparel presentation
Available Finishes
Enhance your mailer boxes with premium finishes.
Industries Using Mailer Boxes
Mailer Boxes FAQs
What is a tray box?
A tray box is an open-top packaging structure — a base with four sides and no lid — used for product display, product holding within larger packaging systems, retail counter display, and shipping applications. The open top provides unobstructed access for filling, display, and product retrieval.
What is roll-end tray construction?
Roll-end tray construction forms corner columns by rolling continuous panel material over scored fold lines, creating solid corner columns without glued joints. This provides superior corner compression resistance and more consistent interior dimensions compared to standard tray construction where corners are formed by glued flap joints.
Can tray boxes have compartment dividers?
Yes. Die-cut corrugated or chipboard divider inserts create individual product compartments within tray boxes — used for display trays presenting multiple individual product units separately, shipping trays protecting multiple fragile items, and gift trays presenting assorted product collections with defined individual positions.
Are tray boxes suitable for food applications?
Yes. Food-safe tray boxes use FDA-compliant materials — PE-coated corrugated for direct food contact, food-safe inks throughout, and food-safe adhesives. Grease-resistant coatings are available for bakery and fried food applications where grease migration is a concern.
What is the minimum order for custom tray boxes?
Our minimum order is 100 units for custom tray boxes. Standard tray sizes use shared tooling for reduced lead times and lower minimum order requirements. Custom dimensions require dedicated die-cut tooling produced in standard lead time.
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