Which box styles work best for pizza boxes? We compare the common structures and the products they suit.
Browse the full Pizza Boxes range alongside this guide.
An overview of pizza boxes
Corrugated and folding-carton boxes for whole pizzas, slices and sides, printed to match your shopfront. They are used by pizzerias, Italian restaurants, bars and delivery kitchens, 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 heat, steam and oil from cheese and toppings. 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 Pizza Boxes range, each made to order from 100 units.
Box styles compared
Across our pizza boxes range, these structures come up again and again:
| Style | What it does well |
|---|---|
| Corrugated flat box | Fluted board gives crush strength for stacking, delivery and heavier loads. |
| Printed E-flute box | A practical folding format that balances protection, presentation and packing speed. |
| Kraft corrugated box | Fluted board gives crush strength for stacking, delivery and heavier loads. |
| Triangle wedge box | A triangular profile matches the shape of the food, so it can't slide around. |
| Slice sleeve | An open-ended printed band slides over a tray or container, branding it for less than a full box. |
| Wedge slice box | A triangular profile matches the shape of the food, so it can't slide around. |
| Tray and lid | A lifting lid gives easy access and keeps the top of the food clear. |
| Kraft flute box with vents | Vent holes let steam escape so crisp food stays crisp. |
| Long tray box | An open or lidded tray makes serving fast and shows the food off. |
| Clamshell | The lid and base are one piece joined by a hinge, which makes packing fast and closing secure. |
Most businesses end up with two or three styles that cover the whole menu. Fewer styles means simpler storage and faster packing.
Our pizza boxes range
Here are the products in this range and what each one is designed to do:
- Printed Pizza Boxes: E-flute corrugated walls resist crushing when boxes are stacked on a delivery run.
- Pizza Slice Boxes: A triangle format fits one slice snugly so toppings don't slide off.
- Personal Pizza Boxes: Lighter board for small pizzas keeps unit cost down on high-volume specials.
- Kraft Pizza Boxes: An unbleached kraft liner gives a natural look and prints well in one or two colours.
- Calzone Boxes: An elongated shape fits folded pizzas that would rattle around in a round-pizza box.
- Garlic Bread Boxes: Side boxes that match your pizza box print complete the order at the door.
How big should your pizza boxes be?
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 |
|---|---|
| 23 cm | printed pizza boxes |
| 28 cm | pizza slice boxes |
| 33 cm | personal pizza boxes |
| 38 cm | kraft pizza 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.
How to pack pizza boxes properly
Vent holes on the lid or sides let steam escape so the base stays crisp. 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.
Corrugated and folding-carton boxes for whole pizzas, slices and sides, printed to match your shopfront.
What affects the price of pizza boxes?
There's no single price for custom pizza 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 pizza 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 pizza 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 heat, steam, 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 pizza boxes
What is the minimum order for custom pizza boxes?
Orders start from 100 units for most styles. Larger runs lower the price per box.
Are pizza 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.
How long does it take to make pizza boxes?
Production is typically 10–15 business days after artwork approval, plus delivery time to your location.
The bottom line
The best pizza 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 Pizza 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.