Custom Printed Food Basket Liners for Burger Bars, Diners and Pubs

What are food basket liners for?

A basket liner sits between a reusable basket and the food. It soaks up nothing, but it stops oil and crumbs reaching the basket, so staff wipe rather than scrub between tables.

It also changes how the plate looks. A plain red plastic basket becomes a branded serving dish the moment a printed sheet goes in.

Liners also hide the scuffs and scratches that build up on older baskets. A fresh sheet on every order makes a well-used basket look clean and cared for.

Which venues serve food in lined baskets?

Lined baskets are a dine-in habit, though some trailers use them for food eaten at the hatch. Our photos show the most common set-ups.

• Diners and burger bars serving burger and fries
• Pubs serving scampi, wings and chips at the bar
• Chicken shops plating wings and strips in oval baskets
• Cafés and bakeries lining wicker bread and muffin baskets
• Street food stalls serving loaded fries in wire baskets

How do I measure a basket for a liner?

Liners fail when they are too small, because oil reaches the basket rim. They also fail when they are too big, because the corners fold into the food.

Measure the inside base, then the depth of the side wall, and follow these steps.

1. Measure the longest inside length and the widest inside width of the base.
2. Measure the side wall height, from base to rim.
3. Add twice the wall height to each base measurement.
4. Add 20 to 40 mm on each side if you want the liner to drape over the rim.
5. Send those figures, or a photo with a ruler, and we confirm the sheet size on the proof.

Oval, rectangular or wire baskets: does the shape matter?

Square sheets work in all three, because the corners fold up and stand proud of the rim. That raised corner is part of the classic look in the red and black baskets in our photos.

Oval plastic baskets suit a slightly rectangular sheet. Wire baskets have open sides, so a larger sheet that covers the gaps keeps chips from slipping through. Wicker bread baskets look best with a generous sheet that drapes over the edge.

Which print looks best in a basket?

Checkerboard is the familiar choice. Red and white reads as a diner, while black and white looks a little more modern against dark baskets.

Illustrated patterns suit independents. The brown and black examples in our photos use drawn burgers and pastries, which show around the food without competing with it.

Remember the centre of the liner is hidden under the meal. Put the brand where the sheet rises up the basket walls and over the rim.

Keep the pattern scale in proportion to the basket. Small motifs suit sides baskets, while larger drawings suit a sharing basket where more of the sheet stays visible.

Match the liner to the basket colour

A red check in a red basket blends together, which some venues like and others find flat. A black check in a red basket, or a kraft-toned liner in a black one, gives more contrast.

Send a photo of your baskets with the artwork, and our designers will show the liner against the right colour on your proof. If your baskets are being replaced too, think about both together.

Kraft-toned liners suit wooden boards and woven baskets, where white paper can look stark. White suits bright plastic baskets, where print colours need to stand out.

Do basket liners handle chips, wings and sauces?

Greaseproof paper copes well with fried food, so it suits most basket menus. Kraft paper looks warmer but is less grease resistant, so ask for a coating if the menu is mostly fried.

Pooled sauce will soak through any sheet eventually. Serve dips in a ramekin or a small pot, as in our wire basket photo, rather than straight onto the liner. Food-contact basket liners are available on request and confirmed on your quote. Read more in our guide to greaseproof paper, board and linings.

Can a liner do the job of a tray or box?

Only for dine-in. Once food leaves the building, it needs something with sides. For takeaway, many venues pair the same printed paper with a card tray or box.

If your counter sells both, see our printed card food trays. A matching liner and tray keep the brand consistent between table and takeaway.

Some venues also slip a liner into the takeaway tray itself. It is a simple way to make the same printed pattern appear on every order, wherever it is eaten.

Tips for a busy pass

Pre-line a stack of baskets before service. A lined basket ready on the pass saves several seconds an order at peak times.

Keep the bundle of sheets dry and flat, away from the fryer and dishwasher steam. Throw liners away after each table rather than reusing them, so the basket underneath stays clean.

If the kitchen uses two basket sizes, store the two liner sizes in separate, clearly labelled spots. Mixing them up is the usual reason a liner ends up folded into the chips.

What mistakes do venues make with basket liners?

• Measuring the outside of the basket instead of the inside base
• Choosing a sheet that does not cover the open sides of a wire basket
• Printing the logo in the middle, where the burger hides it
• Ordering kraft liners for a fried menu without a grease-resistant coating
• Running out mid-week because nobody counted covers per day

How do I order printed basket liners?

Send your basket measurements, print idea and a rough weekly cover count through the quote form for food packaging, by email or on WhatsApp. Basket liners are quoted per order, from £0.25 per unit, always confirmed in writing.

You get a free design proof first. Your liners are printed in 4–6 business days once the artwork is signed off. They then reach you with free tracked UK delivery in 2–3 business days.