Which box styles work best for catering & meal boxes? We compare the common structures and the products they suit.
Browse the full Catering & Meal Boxes range alongside this guide.
An overview of catering & meal boxes
Large and compartment boxes for platters, lunches, grazing boxes and prepared meals delivered in bulk. They are used by caterers, corporate kitchens, meal prep brands and event planners, and the right choice depends on what you're packing, how far it travels and how you want it to look.
The biggest practical challenge with this category is dressing leaks, weight of full platters and long carry distances. Getting the board, coating and structure right for those conditions matters more than any finish or print effect.
You can browse every product in our Catering & Meal Boxes range, each made to order from 100 units.
Box styles compared
Across our catering & meal boxes range, these structures come up again and again:
| Style | What it does well |
|---|---|
| Large lid and base | A separate lid and base give full access to the food and a tidy, gift-like look. |
| Window catering box | A window shows the product and lets it sell itself on the counter or shelf. |
| Corrugated tray | An open or lidded tray makes serving fast and shows the food off. |
| Handle box | A built-in handle means customers can carry the order one-handed without a bag. |
| Tuck lid box | A lifting lid gives easy access and keeps the top of the food clear. |
| Compartment tray | Separate compartments keep different foods apart until they are eaten. |
| Printed sleeve | An open-ended printed band slides over a tray or container, branding it for less than a full box. |
| Outer delivery carton | A folding carton that ships flat and assembles in seconds. |
| Compartment box | Separate compartments keep different foods apart until they are eaten. |
| Window lid box | A window shows the product and lets it sell itself on the counter or shelf. |
Most businesses end up with two or three styles that cover the whole menu. Fewer styles means simpler storage and faster packing.
Our catering & meal boxes range
Here are the products in this range and what each one is designed to do:
- Catering Boxes: Large stackable catering boxes carry platters flat and presentable into boardrooms.
- Lunch Boxes: Handle lunch boxes are easy to hand out at events and carry one-handed.
- Meal Prep Boxes: Printed sleeves over meal trays show macros and heating instructions clearly.
- Grazing Boxes: Window lids let the arrangement do the selling before the box is even opened.
- Platter Boxes: Rigid corrugated bases keep heavy platters flat when carried with one hand.
- Bento Boxes: Compartment trays keep rice, protein and sides apart until it's time to eat.
- Salad Boxes: Coated window boxes show fresh colour while resisting dressing leaks.
- Breakfast Boxes: Compartment inserts separate pastries, fruit and juice for delivered breakfasts.
- Sushi Boxes: Slim sleeves over trays let customers pick their roll at a glance.
- Picnic Boxes: Handle picnic boxes suit wineries and parks, where people carry food a fair way.
Standard sizes for catering & meal boxes
These are the sizes customers ask for most often. They are a good starting point, but every box can be made to your exact dimensions.
| Popular size | Common use |
|---|---|
| 300 x 200 x 80 mm | catering boxes |
| 400 x 300 x 80 mm | lunch boxes |
| 450 x 300 x 80 mm | meal prep boxes |
| Custom | Any size to suit your product |
As a rule, allow 5 to 10 mm of clearance on each side of the food and more on top if it has icing, toppings or a domed shape. Too much space lets food slide around; too little crushes it or smears it on the lid.
Freshness, grease and moisture
Keep wet and dry items apart with inserts or separate compartments, and add dressings at the last step. The box should protect the food without trapping the things that ruin it.
- Use vent holes for hot, crisp or steamed food.
- Use a barrier coating or liner where there is oil, sauce or moisture.
- Use inserts where individual pieces could slide into each other.
- Store flat, unused boxes somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight. Humidity in places like Brisbane and Darwin can soften board before it is ever used.
Large and compartment boxes for platters, lunches, grazing boxes and prepared meals delivered in bulk.
How catering & meal boxes are priced
There's no single price for custom catering & meal boxes, because every quote is built from a few variables:
- Quantity: the unit price falls quickly as runs get bigger, because setup costs are shared across more boxes.
- Size and board: bigger boxes and thicker or corrugated board use more material.
- Print: the number of colours, printing inside and out, and whether you need exact Pantone matches.
- Finishes: foil, spot UV, embossing and windows each add a step.
- Inserts and tooling: a new cutting die is a one-off cost for a new shape.
- Freight: boxes ship flat, but delivery to regional areas costs more than metro.
The easiest saving is to standardise sizes across your range and reuse the same dieline for seasonal artwork.
Quick pre-order checklist
Run through this list before you ask for a quote on catering & meal boxes:
- Inside dimensions measured, in millimetres
- Box style chosen, or a sample to copy
- Board chosen: kraft, white or corrugated
- Grease or moisture barrier needed?
- Print colours and sides (outside, inside or both)
- Finishes, windows or inserts
- Quantity and how often you'll reorder
- Delivery address and the date you need them by
With these answers ready, a quote is quick and accurate.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Most problems with catering & meal boxes can be traced back to a handful of decisions made at the ordering stage:
- Guessing the size instead of measuring the actual food with toppings and packaging.
- Ignoring dressing leaks, weight of full platters, which can stain or weaken boxes that look perfect on the proof.
- Skipping the proof check: typos and phone numbers are the classic errors.
- Ordering too close to peak season. Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day fill print schedules early.
- Over-finishing a box that will be thrown away within the hour.
- Forgetting spares for mis-folds, samples and busy weeks.
A five-minute check of these points saves weeks of reprinting.
Frequently asked questions about catering & meal boxes
Do you make catering & meal boxes in custom sizes?
Every box is made to order, so any size is possible. We draw a dieline around your measurements.
What is the minimum order for custom catering & meal boxes?
Orders start from 100 units for most styles. Larger runs lower the price per box.
Are catering & meal boxes recyclable?
Paperboard boxes are widely recyclable in Australia when clean. Heavy food waste or plastic laminates can make recycling harder.
Can I order different designs in one run?
Often, yes, if they share the same size and board. Ask us about splitting artwork across one order.
Ready to get started?
The best catering & meal boxes are the ones that fit the food, suit the way your team works and look like they belong to your brand. Measure carefully, choose board for the conditions the box will face, and keep the design clear and consistent.
When you're ready, see the full specification on our Catering & Meal Boxes page or request a free quote. We'll send a dieline and price for your exact size.
Get a price for your boxes
Send your size and quantity. We reply with a dieline and quote.