Paper Takeaway Containers: White or Kraft Coated?

Paper takeaway containers come in two looks at Packery: PLA coated white paper and PLA coated brown kraft paper. Pick white when you want a clean, neutral container that lets the food's colour stand out, and kraft when you want a natural, café-style look; the rectangular containers come in both colours, while the lunch boxes and sandwich wedges come in brown.

Key takeaways

• The white and kraft rectangular containers share the same material (Paper + PLA Coated) and, where both colours exist, the same size and price.
• White rectangular containers come in 500ml, 650ml, 750ml and 1000ml; kraft rectangular containers are listed in 500ml and 1000ml.
• Lunch boxes are brown Paper + PLA Coated board in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large, and can be custom printed with your logo.
• Sandwich wedges and windowed lunch boxes are Cardboard + PLA in brown and clear, so the food shows through.
• Everything is sold by the carton, with no minimum order.

How do white and kraft paper containers compare?

On the rectangular range, the only real difference between white and kraft is colour. The PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 500ml (Carton of 300) and the Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Rectangular 500ml (Carton of 300) are both Paper + PLA Coated, both 172x120x41mm, and both work out to $0.20 each: the white is $59.91 per carton and the kraft $61.31 per carton.

At the 1000ml size, the PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 1000ml (Carton of 300) and the Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Rectangular 1000ml (Carton of 300) are both 172x120x75mm. The white PLA container is $94.18 per carton, or $0.31 each, and the kraft container is $73.68 per carton, or $0.25 each, so the kraft costs less.

The 650ml and 750ml sizes are listed in white, so white gives the fuller run of portion sizes in one colour.

Which colour suits which food?

White suits food where colour is part of the appeal: poke, sushi, salads, fruit or pasta with a bright sauce. Brown kraft suits food with a hearty, rustic feel, such as roast vegetables, grain bowls and baked goods.

A few practical points help settle it:

• Match your fit-out. A café with timber and brown paper bags looks more consistent in kraft; a bright, minimal shopfront often reads better in white.
• Stay with one colour. Mixing white and kraft on the same pass looks unplanned.
• Spills show differently. Sauce marks are more visible on white than on brown, so tidy packing matters more.

When should I use a lunch box instead of a rectangular container?

Use a lunch box when the meal is bulky or you want your logo on the box, and a rectangular container when the food sits flat in a shallow tray-style shape. The lunch boxes are brown Paper + PLA Coated board, from the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Medium (Carton of 200) at 152x120x64mm up to the Extra Large at 197x140x90mm.

Custom printing with your logo is available on the lunch boxes, windowed lunch boxes and sandwich wedges, but the white and kraft rectangular containers are not listed for custom print. See custom printing for details.

If you want customers to see the food before they open it, the windowed lunch boxes are Cardboard + PLA in brown with a clear window. The PLA Takeaway Container – Lunch Box with Window Medium (Carton of 200) is 152x120x64mm at $82.98 per carton ($0.41 each), and it also comes in Small and Large.

What about sandwiches and wraps?

For sandwiches, a wedge is the right shape, and both wedges are Cardboard + PLA in brown and clear. The Takeaway Container – Sandwich Wedge (Carton of 500) is 122x72x122mm at $95.23 per carton, or $0.19 each.

For a sealed, ready-to-sell sandwich in a fridge, the PLA Takeaway Container – Heat Seal Sandwich Wedge with Coating and Window (Carton of 600) is 123x123x72mm at $207.05 per carton, or $0.35 each. The wedges are brown and clear, so they sit naturally beside a kraft range.

Which one should I buy?

Match the container to the venue and the food:

• Sushi, poke or salad bar wanting a clean look: PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 500ml (Carton of 300) for sides and smaller serves, and PLA Takeaway Container – White Coated Rectangular 1000ml (Carton of 300) for mains.
• Café or deli with a natural, rustic look: Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Rectangular 500ml (Carton of 300) and Kraft Takeaway Container – Coated Rectangular 1000ml (Carton of 300), at the same prices as the white equivalents.
• Hot lunches where you want your logo on the box: PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Medium (Carton of 200), stepping up to Large or Extra Large for bigger meals.
• Counter display where the food needs to be seen: PLA Takeaway Container – Lunch Box with Window Medium (Carton of 200).
• Sandwich counter: Takeaway Container – Sandwich Wedge (Carton of 500) for made-to-order, or PLA Takeaway Container – Heat Seal Sandwich Wedge with Coating and Window (Carton of 600) for packed fridge stock.

Comparing materials beyond paper? See our guide to compostable takeaway containers, and for stocking up across your range, takeaway containers in bulk. The full range is on the takeaway containers page.

How do I order?

Everything is sold by the carton, and each product page shows the 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). If you know your sizes, use quick order to add cartons in one go.

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