Custom Bento Boxes

If you sell Japanese bento or compartment meals, the box is the last thing your customer sees before they eat and the first thing they remember afterwards. We make custom bento boxes for caterers, corporate kitchens, meal prep brands and event planners that protect the food and do some of the marketing for you.

Compartment trays keep rice, protein and sides apart until it's time to eat. Every box is made from food-grade board, cut to your dimensions and printed in full colour, spot colours or a simple one-colour logo, with orders from 100 units and delivery to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide and regional areas.

What our bento boxes are used for

• Japanese bento: a box that photographs well brings free exposure on social media.
• Compartment meals: the box has to hold its shape from the counter to the customer's table.
• Lunch specials: presentation matters as much as protection, so the print needs to be sharp.
• Corporate orders: staff need a box that folds up fast when orders stack up.

Planning a range? Our guide, Eco-Friendly Bento Boxes: Sustainable Options in Australia, goes into more detail.

Box styles

Choose the structure that suits the food and how your team packs it. We can also combine features or copy a box you already use.

• Compartment tray with sleeve: An open-ended printed band slides over a tray or container, branding it for less than a full box.
• Lid box: A lifting lid gives easy access and keeps the top of the food clear.

Sizes

These sizes suit most orders for bento boxes. Every box can be made to your exact inside dimensions.

Materials and board

We match the board to the weight of the food and how far it travels. The main thing to plan for with bento boxes is dressing leaks, weight of full platters and long carry distances.

• SBS paperboard: Solid bleached sulphate board gives a bright white surface for sharp, full-colour print. It is the usual choice for retail cartons and bakery boxes, and is commonly specified between 300 and 400 gsm depending on the weight of the food.
• Kraft paperboard: Unbleached kraft has a natural brown finish that suits rustic, organic and eco-minded brands. It prints best with bold one- or two-colour artwork, because the brown base shifts lighter colours.
• E-flute corrugated board: A thin corrugated board around 1.5 mm thick that adds crush strength and a little insulation while still printing cleanly. It is the standard for pizza boxes, mailers and heavier food orders.

Food safety

All bento boxes are made from food-grade board. Where food touches the box directly, we recommend a barrier coating or liner, and print is kept on the outside. Our guide to food-safe packaging in Australia explains what the Food Standards Code expects from packaging.

Keep wet and dry items apart with inserts or separate compartments, and add dressings at the last step.

Printing and finishes

Print your logo in one colour, match exact brand colours with Pantone, or go full colour with CMYK. Finishes include matte and gloss coatings, spot UV, foil, embossing and windows. Not sure which to choose? Read CMYK vs Pantone for food packaging and our guide to coatings and finishes.

Sustainable options

Kraft and recycled-content board, film-free windows and water-based coatings all help your bento boxes recycle more easily. We can add the Australasian Recycling Label to your artwork, and certified compostable options are available for some styles.

How ordering works

1. Send your details: size, quantity and style.
2. Receive a dieline and quote for your exact size.
3. Add artwork, or ask us to lay out your logo. See how to read a dieline.
4. Approve your proof.
5. Production in 10–15 business days.
6. Delivery flat-packed to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide and regional Australia.

Frequently asked questions