Counter Display Boxes
Tear off lid, raised header and a front that shows every pack at the till.
from £0.25 a boxView style
Tray Display Boxes
Low, open trays with die cut slots that keep round and small products standing in rows, printed to your artwork and cut to your product.
From £0.25 a boxpriced per job and sent by email within one working day
Often Used For
- Honey and jam jars
- Bath bombs and soaps
- Lip balm pots and tins
- Nail polish and small bottles
- Tubes of hand cream
- Tea light and votive candles
Round, square or odd shaped, send one product and we cut the slots to it.
What is a tray display box?
A tray display box is a shallow open box with a printed top sheet cut into slots. Each product drops into its own hole and stays upright, so a tray of jars or bath bombs looks orderly from the first sale to the last. Most trays add a small header at the back for the logo and a front lip for the product name.
Trays work on counters, on shelves and inside larger displays. They suit products that roll, tip or scuff when they touch each other, which a plain open box does nothing to prevent.
Which products suit a slotted tray?
Anything round or small that should stand in rows: jars of honey or jam, bath bombs, balm tins, nail polish, small tubes, tea lights, miniature bottles and sample pots. Square products such as soap bars or chocolate squares work too, using a grid insert instead of round holes.
- Round products: die cut circles sized to the base or the body.
- Square or rectangular products: a card grid with a cell for each item.
- Tall thin products: a deeper tray with a second support sheet halfway up.
- Mixed products: different slot sizes on one tray, laid out to your plan.
Why choose a tray over a counter box?
A counter box holds products side by side and relies on the walls to keep them neat. A tray holds every item separately, which matters when products are heavy for their size, have glossy labels that scuff, or need to show their tops, such as a candle lid or a bath bomb pattern. If your packs are flat and light, a counter display box with a header is usually simpler.
Gift shops place them by the till, delis put jar trays at eye level on a shelf, and salons line them along a reception desk. Because a tray is low, it fits under shelves with little clearance and can be stacked two high in the back room once emptied. Many brands use the same tray at markets and trade shows, then pass the spare ones to stockists.
What makes a good tray layout?
Odd numbers of rows look better than even ones on a small tray, and leaving a little border around the outer slots stops products sitting right on the edge where they get knocked. Put the best seller or the hero colour in the centre front. If you sell a range, group by colour rather than by name, because shoppers spot colour first and read labels second.
We are happy to suggest a layout on the proof if you tell us how many of each product the tray should carry.
Which board does a tray need?
E flute handles most trays. Jars and bottles add weight quickly, so for glass we either double the base or use B flute.
| Product | Typical board | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bath bombs, soaps | E flute | Slots stop rolling and scuffing |
| Balm tins, pots | E flute | Shallow slots, low front lip |
| Glass jars | B flute or doubled E flute | Stronger floor for the weight |
| Nail polish, small bottles | E flute with a support sheet | Holds the neck as well as the base |
What can be printed on a tray?
The top sheet around the slots is the biggest print area, so a pattern or brand colour there makes the tray look full even when half the stock has gone. The header carries the logo and the front lip carries one short line. Sides can be printed too. Gloss lamination suits bright colours and wipes clean, which helps on trays that hold oily or powdery products such as bath bombs.
If the tray will sit on a shelf rather than a counter, think about what the shopper sees at that height. On a low shelf they look straight down at the tops; on a high shelf they see the front lip and little else. We can angle the tray or raise the back so more of the print faces the aisle.
Glass needs a stronger floor
If the tray carries glass jars, we double the base or move to B flute so the floor does not sag when the tray is lifted from one end.
How do we size the slots?
A printed proof at full size is the quickest check: lay your products on it and see if they sit right.
- Send one product, or its exact diameter or width and depth in mm.
- Tell us how many you want in the tray and the layout, for example four by three.
- We set the slot size with a small clearance and the gap between slots.
- We set the tray depth so the product stands securely but still shows.
- The proof shows the slot layout full size so you can test it against a printout.
How deep should the tray be?
Deep enough to stop the product tipping, shallow enough that the label still shows. For a jar, that is usually about a third of its height. For bath bombs, a slot that holds the lower third keeps them still while the pattern stays on view. Tall bottles may need a second sheet higher up to hold the neck.
A tray that is too deep hides the label and makes the product hard to lift out, especially for people with long nails or gloves. A tray that is too shallow lets a nudged jar tip into its neighbour. When in doubt, send two or three products and we test the depth on a plain sample before the printed run.
Does the tray need a header?
Not always. A tray going inside a larger display or onto a shelf with its own signage can skip the header. A tray standing alone on a counter usually benefits from one, even a short one, because without it the shopper sees products but not the brand.
Slot clearance
We cut slots a touch wider than the product so it drops in and lifts out cleanly, but not so wide that it leans. Send a real sample size, including any lid lip.
How is a tray display ordered?
Send the product size, the number of slots and the quantity of trays. We email a price within one working day, then draw the slot layout for a free proof. Production follows your approval and takes 5 to 7 working days.
Not sure which board? Our guide to choosing board explains the trade offs.
Repeat orders are simple: we keep the slot layout and artwork on file, so you only confirm the quantity and any change to the print.
How do trays arrive?
Trays ship flat with the slot sheet either glued in or packed alongside, depending on the build. Free tracked delivery covers any UK mainland address and takes 2 to 3 working days once the trays are made. If a tray is misprinted or crushed, report it within 10 days and we reprint or refund it.
Tray Display Boxes Specification
Everything below can be changed to suit your product. Ask if you need something not listed.
| Styles | Open tray with slots, tray with header, angled tray, tray with grid insert |
|---|---|
| Slots | Die cut to your product: round, square, oval or custom shape |
| Board | E flute corrugated; B flute for glass jars |
| Full colour outside and on the tray top, inside print on request | |
| Finish | Matt or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil |
| Size | Made to your product and the number of slots you need |
| Build | Self locking corners, no tape or glue needed by the shop |
| Price | From £0.25 a box, quoted per job by size, board, print and quantity |
| Proof | Free design proof with dieline before printing |
| Production | 5 to 7 working days after proof approval |
| Delivery | Free tracked UK mainland delivery in 2 to 3 working days |
Design Your Display Box
Pick a photo of tray display boxes, upload your logo and see it on the box. Send it with your sizes for a price and a free proof.
Choose a display box
Drag the logo or use the arrow keys.
Related Display Boxes
Display Box Inserts
Card and corrugated inserts that hold each item in place in the display.
from £0.25 an insertView style
Candle Display Boxes
Rigid and card displays for jar and pillar candles, with or without a window.
from £0.25 a boxView style
Lip Balm Display Boxes
Stepped and slotted trays that keep small sticks in neat rows.
from £0.25 a boxView style
Tray Display Boxes FAQs
What does a tray display box cost?
Prices start from £0.25 a box and depend on size, board, slot layout, print and quantity.
Can the slots be different sizes on one tray?
Yes. We can lay out mixed slot sizes, for example large jars at the back and small pots at the front.
Will a tray hold heavy glass jars?
Yes, with a doubled base or B flute board. Tell us the jar weight so we can allow for it.
Can the tray stack when empty?
Most trays fold flat after use. Some brands ask for a stackable build for storage; mention it on the quote.
How accurate are the slot sizes?
They are cut to the size you send, with a small clearance. The full size proof lets you test the fit.
Can a tray go inside a larger display?
Yes. Trays are often used as shelves inside floor units or as a top tier on stands.
Do bath bombs mark the print?
Powdery products can dust the surface. Gloss lamination wipes clean, so it is the usual choice for bath bombs.
Can the header be removed?
Yes. We can make the header a separate card that slots in, so stockists can use the tray with or without it.
What shapes can the slots be?
Round, oval, square, rectangular or a custom outline cut to your product.
How many trays can I order?
Minimums are low and set per job. Tell us the quantity you need and we price it.
Can I print a pattern around the slots?
Yes. The top sheet is the main print area and looks good with a pattern or brand colour.
Do the trays need assembly?
They fold up in moments with self locking corners. No tape or glue is needed.