Six-Point Glued Tray with Integral Lid

Preglued corners provide extra strength and ease of assembly. Structure is erected by pulling out the sides of the tray. Because it stores flat and is easily opened, this type of container works well in the fast-food industry.

Web Corner Tray

Easy-erect tray cartons assemble without glue. The diagonal fold across each corner creates a web that’s held in place by flaps. An appropriate alternative in situations when gluing isn’t an option.

Corner-Locked Tray

Another option when gluing isn’t available is tongue-and-slot corners that are used to form sides. This option is not as rigid as the web corner tray, however, it uses less material. This style can be made into a container with a lid by using one tray as the base and a slightly larger one for the lid.

Open-Ended Tray

Glue-assembled trays are frequently used for baked goods and other food items when display of product is important. Product is protected with shrink-wrap, cellophane, or other transparent wrapping.

In-Fold/Out-Fold Tray

Glue-cornered trays store flat and then self-erect when the sides are lifted. They can be shrink-wrapped when display of product is important. They can also be formed into a container with a lid by using one tray as the base and a slightly larger one for the lid in a combination often used for gift boxes.

Glue-Cornered Taper Tray

Preassembled and glued trays stack well and can function equally well as a plate or dish. they are frequently used in the food service industry for serving french fries, salads, and other nonliquid products.

BASIC TUBE-STYLE CARTONS

Tube-style folding cartons are rectangular sleeves formed from a sheet of board that is folded over and glued against its edges. Tubes have openings at the top and bottom that are closed with flaps, reverse, or straight tucks and locks that can be glued or assembled without glue.

Skillet or Sealed End Carton

Flaps are sealed using glue or tape. Most shipping cartons use this configuration and closure because it provides the most economical use of carton board.

Tuck-Top Crash Base Carton

Used when fast assembly of the carton is important. Cartons are preglued and folded flat. When opened for assembly, the base slides into position and locks when all sides meet.

BASIC CLOSURE TYPES

In addition to providing a temporary barrier between the package’s contents and the outside, the closure can also contribute to the rigidity of the carton. The closure may also determine or transform the purpose of a carton.

Standard Tuck-Flap

Appropriate for individually wrapped items such as bandages or products in squeezable tubes. Also a good choice as a container for food items such as tea and sugar packets where reusability is important. May require a seal or outer wrapping to ensure contents will remain intact prior to purchase.

Slit-Lock Tuck

Applications are similar to standard tuck-flap carton, except slits provide a more secure seal. For tamper resistance, add a seal or a protective outer wrapping.

Tab Lock

Slits and tab provide additional protection against tampering and lid being forced open by inside pressure from the contents.

Postal Lock

Although not reusable, this completely tamperproof option has an arrowhead tab that tears on opening, providing proof of entry.

Partial Overlap Seal End with Lock Tab and Lock Slot

This closure option is appropriate for items contained in an interior, moistureproof pouch including cereal, cookies, or crackers. The top is often glued shut to prevent tampering prior to purchase, leaving the tab and slot as a reusable closure after the carton is opened.

Pull-Strip or Zipper Carton

Commonly used to prevent tampering. The pull-strip provides an irreversible method of opening. Suitable for cereals, crackers, and other foods contained in an interior, moisture-proof pouch. Note: All flaps must be glued or have locking closures to prevent access via another entrance and to ensure pull-strip will be properly aligned.

Pour-Spout Container

Score lines along the container’s top and side allow the consumer to access the product and pour the contents in a controlled manner. This type of carton is commonly used for cereal and detergent.

FOLDERS, SLEEVES, AND OTHER TYPES OF FOLDING CARTONS

These packaging options suit the needs of specialty packaging and specific products.

Open-End Sleeve with Finger Holes

Finger holes and open-end construction allow easy access to the object inside the sleeve.

Pillow Pack

Functions well for packaging soft items such as clothing or a number of small pieces. Easily assembled and can be stored in flat-packed state. Package design can also be easily modified to a pull-strip closure.

Shallow Folder

This type of package makes economical use of resources for packaging flat items such as hosiery. Its tuck-in closure can be sealed or replaced with a pull-strip to make the container tamper resistant.

Bottle Hanger

This one-piece construction lends itself to a variety of lightweight, cylindrical items and provides maximum product visibility.

Lightbulb Sleeve

These designs use inner panels and die cuts to protect and immobilize lightbulbs. The design can be modified to suit similarly fragile products.

Display Carton

The extended lid flap on this carton opens to reveal a display recess to accommodate a product. Cut from a single sheet, this design requires only one side of the board to be printed.

Six-Sided Carton with Push-in Closure

The small triangles have been die-cut out of the top closure to permit easier closing. Assembly requires glue on the side but not on the bottom of the carton. Suitable for novelty and gift items.

SET-UP BOXES

Set-up or rigid paper boxes are assembled by piecing together flat sheets of boxboard, which are held together at the sides with corner stays and adhesive. The assembled box is covered with decorative paper that is adhered to the exterior surface. Unlike folding cartons, which are often delivered flat, set-up boxes are delivered as a three-dimensional product ready to be filled with merchandise. They can be easily adapted to a variety of applications that may include platforms, plastic domes, or compartments. Their decorative quality makes them suitable for cosmetics, candy, and jewelry. Set-up boxes instantly add an upscale look to gifts, gift boxes, and luxury items.

Basic Set-up Construction

A simple set-up box involves scoring a sheet of box board so that the sides can be folded at right angles to the base. The side panels are fastened at the corners with tape, fabric, or metal. The assembled box is covered with a precut sheet of paper that is scored at the fold lines, adhered to the outside, and wrapped around the box edges so that it covers a portion of the interior. Two trays, such as the one shown here, are typically combined to form a box and lid.

Lidded Box with Raised Platform

Boxes with raised platforms work well as a means of showcasing watches, jewelry, or other valuables. The platform openings can be replaced with slits for displaying rings or adapted in other ways, depending on the shape of the objects inside.

Triangular Box with Raised Platform

This alternative to the standard, four-sided box makes an unusual presentation. The deep lid makes this construction suitable for a perfume bottle or other vertical container.

Tube and Slide

Without the platform, the tube and slide construction functions much like a matchbox as a container for loose items.

Hinged-Lid Box

The vertical nature of this box makes it an ideal container for chalk, crayons, discs, or as a document holder.

COMMON STYLES OF STOCK PLASTIC CONTAINERS

Plastic containers are generally categorized according to shape: oblong, oval, round, or square. From there, shapes vary according to function. Consult the following diagrams for an overview of some common shapes. Check with specific manufacturers for more specific information on capacity range, container materials, and barrier capabilities.

PAPER BAGS

Paper bags are constructed from a continuous web of paper that is formed into a tube and glued along the overlap to form a seam. The tube is torn to a specified length, frequently against a serrated bar, which gives the bag a saw-toothed edge. The end is folded over and glued to form the bottom. There are three general styles of bag construction: flat, square or pinch bottom, and automatic bottom or self-opening style (SOS).

PLASTIC BAGS

Plastic bags are manufactured from plastic tubing or from a flat web that is folded and joined at a back seam. The ends are generally heat sealed to complete the closure.