Printed Food Packaging: Which Items Are Worth Branding

The printed food packaging that earns its cost is the packaging customers carry out of your shop: coffee cups, carry bags, takeaway boxes and bowls. Napkins, stirrers and cutlery pouches are seen for a moment and then thrown away, so most venues keep them plain and put the print budget where people actually look.

Key takeaways

• Rank each item by how long it is held and who sees it after it leaves your counter.
• Cups and carry bags travel down the street, into offices and onto car seats, so they sit at the top of the list.
• Lunch boxes and salad bowls are seen on the desk or at the delivery handover, which makes them a strong second choice.
• Napkins, wooden stirrers and cutlery pouches are low-visibility items; buy them plain by the carton.
• Custom printing with your logo is available on selected products, so check custom print or contact us before you plan artwork around a specific item.

Which food packaging items are worth printing?

Print the items that leave the shop in a customer's hand and stay there for a while. Ask of every item: how long is it held, and who else sees it? A typical line-up sorts into three groups:

• Print first: coffee cups and carry bags. They are held for the whole walk back to work and seen by everyone on the way.
• Print if the budget allows: lunch boxes, salad bowls and snack boxes. The lid or side is in view at the desk, in the delivery bag and on the table.
• Keep plain: napkins, stirrers, cutlery pouches and small serving holders. They are used for a few seconds, are often hidden under food, and are bought in large quantities.

Why are coffee cups and carry bags at the top of the list?

Cups and bags are the two items a customer carries in public. A coffee cup is held on the street, on the train and at the desk, and a paper bag is carried all the way home.

For hot drinks, the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm (Carton of 1000) are PLA-lined paper in brown, at $135.09 per carton or $0.14 each. For a smaller serve, the 6oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Single Wall Art Print 80mm (Carton of 1000) are aqueous-coated paper at $69.67 per carton, or $0.07 each.

For carry-out, the No.16 Bag – Brown SOS (Carton of 250) is a brown virgin paper bag sized 240x120x390mm, at $37.25 per carton or $0.15 each. A flat bag is the smaller, cheaper option for pastries and sandwiches: the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) is brown kraft paper, 200x200mm, at $9.05 per carton or $0.02 each.

Are takeaway boxes and bowls worth printing?

Yes, for venues where most meals leave the building. A box or bowl is not carried as visibly as a cup, but it is opened in front of the customer and often in front of their colleagues or family, and it is the first thing a delivery customer sees.

The PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) is brown PLA-coated paper sized 197x140x90mm, at $116.64 per carton or $0.58 each. For salads and grain bowls, the 42oz Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Salad Bowl (Carton of 300) is PLA-coated paper at $77.05 per carton, or $0.26 each. For chips, wings and snacks, the Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200) is brown corrugated board, 205x106x76mm, at $40.66 per carton or $0.20 each.

These cost more per piece than cups or bags, so weigh printing them against how many orders go out as takeaway or delivery. For choosing the containers themselves, see takeaway containers in bulk, small takeaway containers and the full takeaway containers range.

Which items should stay plain?

Napkins, wooden stirrers and cutlery pouches should usually stay plain. They are bought in large carton quantities, used for seconds and then binned, so a logo on them is rarely seen.

Stirrers are the clearest case: the 140mm Wooden Cutlery – Coffee Stirrer (Carton of 10000) is $35.36 per carton, or $0.004 each. Napkins follow the same logic. The Napkins – White Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) are $51.68 per carton, or $0.03 each, and the Kraft Napkins – Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) are $50.77 per carton, or $0.03 each.

Cutlery pouches sit in a takeaway bag next to the meal. The Kraft Cutlery – White Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000) is $134.88 per carton, or $0.13 each. The Kraft Cutlery – Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000) costs less at $58.23 per carton, or $0.06 each.

How do the items compare on price per item?

Which one should I buy?

• Coffee-led cafés and kiosks: put your print budget into cups first. Start with the 12oz Kraft Coffee Cups – Lined SW Print 90mm (Carton of 1000).
• Bakeries and sandwich bars: the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) goes out with almost every pastry, so it is the item most likely to be seen.
• Takeaway shops with large orders: the No.16 Bag – Brown SOS (Carton of 250) carries the whole order home and is in view the entire trip.
• Lunch and delivery kitchens: the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200) or the 42oz Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Salad Bowl (Carton of 300) is what the customer opens at their desk.
• Everyone: buy napkins, stirrers and pouches plain.

Printing is offered on selected products only, so confirm your shortlist through custom print or contact us before you finalise artwork.

Ordering plain stock

Plain stock is sold by the carton, and each product page shows carton price and price per item. There is no minimum order. Delivery is a flat fee set by your postcode, and free once an order passes a set amount; checkout shows the exact cost, and today's rates are on the shipping page. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days regional. All orders are prepaid online. Damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free; unopened stock cartons can be returned within 7 days of delivery (10% restocking fee, return delivery at your cost). Use quick order to reorder the plain items in one go.

Setting up or restocking your packaging?

Send us your list for a trade quote, or price it yourself in the cost calculator.

No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details