If you sell meal trays or sushi trays, the box is the last thing your customer sees before they eat and the first thing they remember afterwards. We make custom food packaging sleeves for online food brands, subscription services and businesses moving away from plastic that protect the food and do some of the marketing for you.
A printed sleeve brands a plain tray or container for a fraction of a full box. 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 food packaging sleeves are used for
- Meal trays: the food often travels further than you'd expect, so strength counts.
- Sushi trays: a box that photographs well brings free exposure on social media.
- Cake slices: the box has to hold its shape from the counter to the customer's table.
- Multi-packs: presentation matters as much as protection, so the print needs to be sharp.
Planning a range? Our guide, What Affects the Price of Custom Food Packaging Sleeves?, 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.
- Open-ended sleeve: An open-ended printed band slides over a tray or container, branding it for less than a full box.
- Sleeve with hang tab: An open-ended printed band slides over a tray or container, branding it for less than a full box.
Sizes
These sizes suit most orders for food packaging sleeves. Every box can be made to your exact inside dimensions.
| Popular size | Common use |
|---|---|
| 230 x 160 mm | meal trays |
| 180 x 100 mm | sushi trays |
| Custom | Any size to suit your product |
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 food packaging sleeves is courier handling, stacking pressure and temperature swings in transit.
- 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.
- 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.
Food safety
All food packaging sleeves 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.
Match the box strength to the courier journey and add void fill or inserts so contents don't shift.
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 food packaging sleeves 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
- Send your details: size, quantity and style.
- Receive a dieline and quote for your exact size.
- Add artwork, or ask us to lay out your logo. See how to read a dieline.
- Approve your proof.
- Production in 10–15 business days.
- Delivery flat-packed to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide and regional Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom food packaging sleeves?
Most styles start from 100 units. The price per box drops as quantity increases, so larger runs give better value.
How long does production take?
Production is typically 10–15 business days after you approve the proof, plus delivery time to your location in Australia.
Are your food packaging sleeves food safe?
Yes. We use food-grade board and can add grease or moisture barrier coatings for direct food contact. Print is kept to the outside unless you request otherwise.
Can I get food packaging sleeves in a custom size?
Yes. Every box is made to order. Send your inside dimensions and we draw a dieline to fit.
Can I see a sample before ordering food packaging sleeves?
Yes. Plain samples help you test the fit, and printed proofs are supplied before production.
Get a price for your boxes
Send your size and quantity. We reply with a dieline and quote.
