Custom Printed Pizza Slice Trays for Eat-Now Slices

What is a pizza slice tray?

A slice tray is the simplest way to hand over one slice of pizza. It is a flat wedge of board with two short folded walls along the long sides.

There is no lid. The customer picks the slice straight out of the tray, or eats it while the tray supports the soft point.

Some trays keep the crust end open so a long slice can overhang. Others add a short back wall for a neater, boxier look.

Who uses open slice trays?

Open trays suit any place where the slice is eaten within a minute or two of leaving the oven. The customer is standing at a counter, sitting at a bench or walking through a market.

Pizzerias with a few counter stools also keep trays for customers who eat in. It saves on washing plates during a short lunch rush.

• Market and festival stalls selling slices from a wood-fired oven
• Bars and taprooms with a small pizza kitchen
• Food halls where customers carry food to shared tables
• Caterers serving slices at weddings, birthdays and office parties
• Sports clubs and school events with a pizza stand

Why choose a tray instead of a closed box?

A tray is faster to fill than any box. There is nothing to fold over or tuck in, so the queue moves quicker at peak times.

An open top also lets steam out straight away. The base stays firmer than it would under a closed lid, which matters for thin, crisp bases.

The trade-off is that the slice cools faster and the topping is exposed. For slices that travel, the closed pizza slice boxes with hinged lids are the better pick.

How do you choose the right tray size?

Measure the longest side of your usual slice, from point to crust. The tray should be about the same length, or a little shorter if you like the crust to overhang.

Width matters more than length. If the tray is too narrow at the crust, the slice rides up the walls and toppings slide off.

Square slices from a tray bake need a rectangular tray rather than a wedge. Tell us the slice size in mm or inches and we will match it.

If you sell two slice sizes, one tray for the larger size usually covers both. A small slice simply sits further back from the point.

Wall height and crust end compared

Two small choices change how the tray feels in the hand. The table sets them side by side.

Board, grease and hot cheese

Most slice trays are white or kraft folding board. It is stiff enough to support a slice held at the crust, and it prints cleanly.

Because the tray is open, oil sits on the base rather than soaking into a lid. A grease-resistant lining or coating keeps the base from going dark and soft.

Kraft board hides small oil marks better than white. White board makes bright logos stand out and looks cleaner on a buffet table.

If a tray will sit on a hot plate or warming shelf, a slightly heavier board stops it curling at the corners.

Where does the print go on a slice tray?

The two side walls are the main print areas. They face the customer while they eat, so a logo or short name reads well there.

The base can carry a pattern that shows once the slice is gone. Inside print on the base costs no more to proof, and our designers lay it out free.

One colour print on kraft keeps costs low. Full colour CMYK on white suits bold, busy designs. A matte varnish takes the shine off under festival lights.

How do you serve slices quickly with trays?

Pre-formed trays save time on a busy stall but take more storage room. Flat blanks pack small, which helps on a market pitch with little space.

For a party platter, set trays in rows on a larger board. Guests can pick up a single slice without touching the others.

1. Fold a stack of trays before service, or order them pre-formed.
2. Line them up beside the cutting board with the open end facing you.
3. Slide the slice off the server point first.
4. Hand the tray over by its base, not by the walls.

Can one tray design cover several products?

Often, yes. A pizza wedge tray can also hold quiche, a wedge of tart or half a calzone at a party.

The main check is the wall height. A deep filling needs taller walls than a thin slice, so we suggest sizing for the deepest item you plan to serve.

Keeping one tray across your menu means one set of artwork, one size to stock and simpler reordering. For flat, oblong items, look at a rectangular food tray instead.

Common slip-ups with slice trays

Using an open tray for a slice that will be carried for ten minutes is the usual error. By then the cheese has set and the base has cooled.

Another is picking walls that are too low for a heavily topped slice. Sauce runs over the edge and onto the customer's hand.

Last, small text on the base is hidden under the slice. Keep the main message on the walls.

Also check that the tray is not shorter than the slice by more than a thumb width. Too much overhang makes the tip flop down.

Ordering printed slice trays

Send your slice size, board colour, wall height and artwork to info@thefoodpackaging.co.uk, or share them on WhatsApp. Pricing for trays begins from £0.25 per unit. Every figure is then put in writing on a quote.

You get a free proof first. Production runs for 4 to 6 business days after approval. The trays then ship free with tracking and reach your UK address in 2 to 3 business days.

Quantities are quoted per order, and trays for a single wedding or fair are fine to ask about. Spot a smudged print or a crushed bundle? Photograph it within 10 days and we redo the trays or give your money back.