The pail shaped takeout box is one blank of paperboard folded into a leakproof-ish tub with a fold-over top. Two decisions drive the whole order: what size the food actually needs, and whether the box carries a wire handle. Everything else is print.
This page covers how to choose. To price and order the box itself, go to chinese takeout boxes.
Sizing by what goes in it
Pails are quoted by fluid ounce capacity, not by outside dimensions, because operators buy against portion size. These are the sizes buyers ask for most often.
| Capacity | Usually used for |
|---|---|
| 8 oz | Sides, sauces, single-serve appetisers, sample portions |
| 16 oz | A standard single entree or rice portion |
| 26 oz | Entree plus rice, or a generous single serve |
| 32 oz | Family and share portions, noodle dishes, catering |
If you are packing something that settles, such as noodles or fried rice, size against the packed volume rather than the recipe volume. If you want a specific outside footprint for a delivery bag or a shelf, send those numbers and we will draw to them instead. The reference numbers sit on takeout box dimensions.
Handle or no handle
The wire bail handle is what most people picture, but it is not free and it is not always wanted. Handles help when the customer carries the box by hand from counter to car. They get in the way when boxes are stacked in a delivery bag, and they add a component to the assembly. Delivery-first operations often drop the handle and gain stacking height.
Board, coating and food contact
Pails are normally run on a solid bleached board for a white printable outside, or a kraft board when you want the brown look. Coatings and liners are the part to be explicit about. Tell us on the quote what the box has to hold, whether it goes near sauce, oil or heat, and whether you need a liner. We will confirm in writing which coating options are available for that job rather than making a blanket claim on this page.
Printing
- One or two spot colours on kraft is the cheapest way to look deliberate.
- Full coverage dark colours show scuffing from stacking, so consider a matte finish.
- The fold-over top panel is prime print area because it faces up on the counter.
- Keep any QR code away from a crease, since a fold through the code kills the scan.
Minimum, price and lead time
The minimum is 100 boxes, which is low enough to test a menu change or a seasonal design without committing a year of stock. Bulk pricing starts at about $0.48 per unit and the applicable number depends on size, board, coating and print coverage, so it is confirmed on your quote. The die and plates, design support, free US shipping and a digital proof before printing are included in the order.
Production is quoted per product across three lanes: rush pairs expedited production with air freight, standard moves by air, and cost saver moves by sea at the lowest freight cost and the longest wait. The floor is from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 for delivery, and specialty imported items can run up to about 12 weeks. Boxes are made at our West Chicago plant in the United States or our Guangzhou plant in China.
Running multiple locations or restocking on a cycle, see wholesale takeout boxes for how repeat runs are handled. Otherwise send your size, quantity and artwork status to /quote/ and ask for all three lanes priced side by side.
