Custom Food Transport Trays | ConceptASR

Custom Food Transport Trays

Custom food transport trays from ConceptASR provide bakeries, pastry shops, restaurants, caterers and food manufacturers with a practical solution for grouping, protecting and transporting multiple food products.

Made to order, these trays may be adapted to the dimensions, weight and number of products being carried. Depending on the project, they may include raised edges, reinforced paperboard, carrying handles, interior dividers, a cover or an exterior protective box.

ConceptASR works with businesses across Canada to develop professional food-transport packaging adapted to their products, operating requirements and estimated order volume.

A Practical Solution for Transporting Food Products

Food transport trays allow several products to be moved together while simplifying handling and organization.

Depending on their size and construction, custom trays may be suitable for:

• Pastries and baked goods
• Croissants and Danish pastries
• Pies and individual tarts
• Cookies and macarons
• Cupcakes and muffins
• Sandwiches and wraps
• Prepared foods
• Dessert assortments
• Catering orders
• Corporate presentations
• Event orders
• Transportation between a commercial kitchen and a retail location
• Delivery between production and service areas
• Food displays at meetings and receptions

The appropriate tray must be selected according to the size, weight, fragility and arrangement of the products being transported.

A lightweight tray for cookies will not require the same construction as a tray designed to carry several pies, prepared meals or heavy catering products.

Custom Dimensions and Construction

Custom food transport trays may be manufactured according to the business’s specific requirements.

Depending on the project and manufacturing possibilities, several characteristics may be adapted:

• Overall length
• Overall width
• Tray depth
• Height of the side walls
• Paperboard thickness
• Required carrying strength
• Base construction
• Reinforced corners
• Integrated handles
• Separate carrying handles
• Lid or protective cover
• Interior dividers
• Individual compartments
• Number of products per tray
• Stackability
• Folding structure
• Storage configuration
• Master-carton packing

A suitable structure can help reduce movement, improve stability and make the products easier to carry.

To determine the appropriate dimensions, the customer should provide the finished measurements and approximate weight of the products, along with the desired arrangement inside the tray.

Photographs or diagrams showing how the products should be positioned are also useful during the design process.

Raised Edges for Improved Stability

The height of the tray walls should correspond to the products being transported.

Low edges can make products easier to access and may be appropriate for:

• Cookies
• Wrapped sandwiches
• Individual pastries
• Small baked goods
• Lightweight prepared foods
• Counter presentations

Higher walls may provide additional support for:

• Boxes of pastries
• Multiple dessert containers
• Pies and tarts
• Catering assortments
• Prepared-food packages
• Products transported over longer distances

The walls should be high enough to help contain the products without interfering with removal or damaging decorations.

The optimum height depends on whether the tray will remain open or be combined with a lid, protective film or exterior box.

Trays With Handles

Handles can simplify carrying when the tray is intended for customer pickup, catering service or frequent movement between work areas.

Depending on the structure, possible handle configurations may include:

• Die-cut side handles
• Reinforced side openings
• Integrated carrying handles
• Locking top handles
• Separate handle components
• Handles incorporated into a cover

The handle design must be selected according to the total carrying weight and the strength of the paperboard.

A handle that is suitable for a lightweight pastry assortment may not be appropriate for a heavily loaded catering tray. The complete loaded tray should therefore be tested before production is approved.

Covers and Protective Options

Depending on the selected model, a custom food transport tray may be used alone or combined with additional protection.

Possible options may include:

• Paperboard lid
• Corrugated cover
• Exterior transport box
• Transparent window
• Compatible protective film
• Food-grade paper covering
• Removable top panel
• Stackable protective structure
• Locking cover
• Separate master carton

A cover can help protect the products during customer pickup, delivery or storage. It may also provide additional space for branding and handling instructions.

An open tray may be preferable when the products must remain easily accessible during counter service, catering setup or food preparation.

The available options will depend on the dimensions, paperboard and structural requirements of the project.

Interior Dividers and Compartments

Interior dividers may be added to help separate products and reduce movement.

Possible configurations include:

• Removable paperboard dividers
• Individual compartments
• Cross dividers
• Reinforced product-positioning inserts
• Separate areas for different flavours
• Supports for small boxes or containers
• Spacers between delicate products
• Custom arrangements for multiple product sizes

Dividers may be useful for:

• Mixed pastry assortments
• Cupcakes and muffins
• Individual desserts
• Sandwich collections
• Corporate food orders
• Catering presentations
• Products with delicate decorations
• Multiple containers transported in one tray

The divider design should reflect the dimensions and weight of the actual products. A sample should be tested with the complete loaded tray whenever possible.

White, Kraft or Corrugated Paperboard

Different paperboard materials may be considered according to the intended application.

Natural kraft paperboard provides a warm and professional appearance suitable for bakeries, cafés and catering companies.

White paperboard offers a clean surface for colourful branding and printed graphics.

Corrugated board may provide additional structural strength for heavier loads or transportation requirements.

Potential material options may include:

• Natural kraft paperboard
• White paperboard
• Food-packaging paperboard
• Solid paperboard
• Corrugated cardboard
• Reinforced paperboard
• Grease-resistant materials
• Moisture-resistant interior treatments

The appropriate board grade and thickness depend on:

• Tray dimensions
• Total carrying weight
• Wall height
• Handle configuration
• Presence of a lid
• Stackability requirements
• Expected transportation conditions
• Product temperature and moisture
• Required storage life

Material specifications must be confirmed before production.

Grease and Moisture Protection

Food products may contain butter, oil, sauces, fillings, icing or moisture that can affect untreated paperboard.

Depending on the application, additional interior protection may be recommended.

Possible solutions include:

• Food-grade paper liner
• Interior tray
• Grease-resistant barrier
• Moisture-resistant coating
• Removable insert
• Individual product packaging
• Separator between the food and paperboard
• Compatible protective film

The appropriate protection depends on whether the food will come into direct contact with the tray.

Businesses should communicate:

• Food type
• Product temperature
• Fat content
• Moisture level
• Expected contact time
• Refrigerated or frozen storage requirements
• Transportation duration

Samples should be tested with the actual food products whenever possible.

A tray suitable for wrapped pastries may not necessarily be appropriate for direct contact with warm, greasy or moist foods.

Custom Logo Printing

Custom food transport trays may be printed to reflect the business’s visual identity.

Depending on the model and production quantity, printing options may include:

• Company logo
• Brand colours
• Website address
• Contact information
• Product-handling instructions
• Promotional messages
• Seasonal graphics
• Corporate branding
• Custom illustrations
• Delivery instructions
• Product identification

Branded trays can help create a more consistent presentation for catering orders, corporate deliveries and customer pickup.

The packaging also continues to promote the business while products are being transported, displayed or delivered.

Printing may be available in one colour, multiple colours or full colour, depending on the selected material and manufacturing method.

Artwork must be provided in a suitable print-ready format. A digital proof will normally be submitted for approval before production begins.

Colours printed on natural kraft paperboard may appear darker or less vibrant than the same colours printed on white material.

Food-Packaging Materials and Documentation

Custom transport trays may be produced using materials intended for food-packaging applications.

Applicable documentation should correspond to the actual materials used in the finished product.

Depending on the project, information may be requested regarding:

• Paperboard composition
• Food-contact suitability
• Grease-resistant treatments
• Moisture barriers
• Interior coatings
• Transparent window film
• Printing inks
• Adhesives
• Migration testing
• Material specifications

A general certificate does not necessarily apply to every possible combination of paperboard, coating, ink and adhesive.

The intended application and contact conditions must be communicated before production, particularly when unwrapped food will be placed directly on the tray.

Minimum Order Quantity

Production of custom food transport trays may generally begin at approximately 500 units.

The exact minimum order quantity depends on:

• Tray dimensions
• Paperboard type
• Required strength
• Wall height
• Handle configuration
• Lid or protective cover
• Interior dividers
• Printing method
• Number of printed colours
• Special finishes
• Tooling requirements
• Manufacturing process

Large structures, specialized inserts or complex carrying systems may require a higher production quantity.

The applicable minimum quantity will be confirmed during quotation.

Volume Pricing

The price of custom food transport trays depends on the complete specifications.

Important pricing factors include:

• Length, width and depth
• Paperboard thickness
• Required carrying strength
• Handle construction
• Lid or protective cover
• Interior dividers
• Number of printed colours
• Printing coverage
• Production quantity
• Packing configuration
• Tooling or die-cutting costs
• Transportation costs

Several quantity levels may be quoted to help businesses compare unit pricing.

Larger production runs generally reduce the unit price because design, printing, tooling and setup expenses are distributed across more units.

All prices are available by quotation.

Samples and Load Testing

A sample or prototype may be requested before full production.

This allows the customer to evaluate:

• Overall dimensions
• Tray depth
• Paperboard strength
• Base stability
• Side-wall height
• Handle comfort and resistance
• Lid or cover fit
• Divider configuration
• Product arrangement
• Stackability
• Ease of handling
• General presentation

The prototype should be tested with the actual products and expected carrying weight.

Testing should reproduce typical conditions, including:

• Lifting
• Carrying
• Stacking
• Loading into a vehicle
• Customer pickup
• Delivery
• Refrigerated storage, if applicable
• Expected holding time

The cost of the sample depends on its dimensions, structure, printing and finishing requirements.

Typical Production Timeline

A typical production period may be approximately 15 to 20 business days after:

• Final dimensions are approved
• The tray structure is confirmed
• Handles and covers are approved
• Dividers are confirmed
• Artwork is approved
• The order is confirmed
• The required payment is received

This estimate may not include structural prototype preparation, artwork revisions, material procurement, international transportation, customs clearance or final delivery in Canada.

The complete schedule will be provided in the quotation.

Businesses planning seasonal packaging, corporate events or large catering projects should allow additional preparation time.

Information Required for a Quotation

To receive an accurate quotation for custom food transport trays, please provide:

• Types of products being transported
• Dimensions of each product
• Approximate weight of each product
• Number of products per tray
• Desired product arrangement
• Approximate total loaded weight
• Preferred tray dimensions, if known
• Required wall height
• White, kraft or corrugated material preference
• Need for handles
• Need for a lid or protective cover
• Need for dividers or compartments
• Stackability requirements
• Estimated order quantity
• Monthly or annual usage
• Printing requirements
• Logo or artwork file, if available
• Delivery address and postal code
• Photographs of the products and current packaging

These details help ConceptASR evaluate the appropriate dimensions, paperboard strength and structural configuration.

Request a Custom Food Transport Tray Quotation

ConceptASR offers custom transport packaging solutions for bakeries, pastry shops, restaurants, caterers, grocery stores and food manufacturers across Canada.

Whether you need an open tray for pastries, a reinforced carrier for catering products or a printed transport tray with handles and dividers, our team can review your requirements and prepare a customized proposal.

This product is made to order. Dimensions, materials, load capacity, handles, covers, dividers, printing, food-contact documentation, minimum quantities, production schedules and transportation costs must be confirmed before production. Price available by quotation.