Disposable Plastic Plates? Choose the Right Plate Shape
Packery does not stock disposable plastic plates. If you came looking for them, the closest match in our range is sugarcane and palm leaf plates sold by the carton, in round, oval, square and rectangle shapes, and the shape you pick decides how the dish sits and looks on the plate.
Key takeaways
- We don't sell plastic plates; our disposable plates are made from sugarcane or palm leaves, all in a natural colour.
- Round plates suit plated mains and everyday serving; the 9in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 500) is $0.11 each.
- Oval plates give long items such as rolls, skewers and fish room to sit flat.
- Square and rectangle plates suit canapés, grazing and a more modern presentation.
- Every product page shows the carton price and price per item, so you can compare shapes like for like.
Does Packery sell disposable plastic plates?
No. Our plates and trays range is made up of sugarcane and palm leaf plates, not plastic. Sugarcane plates are made from sugarcane fibre, and palm plates are made from palm leaves.
If your menu is built around plastic plates today, the practical question is which shape and size replaces each one. The sections below work through that by shape, using the plates we actually stock.
When should I use a round plate?
Use a round plate for plated mains, salads, cake slices and anything served at a buffet line. Round is the default shape guests expect, it stacks neatly on a service counter and it suits food that is arranged around a centre point.
For high-volume serving, the 9in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 500) measures 225x20mm and costs $56.25 per carton, or $0.11 each. For sides, desserts and party food there is the 7in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 1000) at 176x16mm, $80.42 per carton or $0.08 each. A larger 10in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 500) is 254x20mm at $78.94 per carton, $0.16 each.
If you want a round plate with more visual character, the palm range has the 10in Plate – Palm Round (Carton of 100), 250x25mm, at $53.55 per carton or $0.54 each, and the 9in Plate – Palm Round Med (Carton of 100) at $36.58 per carton, $0.37 each.
When does an oval plate work better?
Choose an oval plate when the food is long rather than round: sausages in bread, wraps cut on the diagonal, skewers, fish fillets or a main with a side laid alongside. The extra length keeps items flat instead of hanging over the rim.
The Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Oval Large (Carton of 500) is 252x317x25mm at $130.00 per carton, $0.26 each, and suits a full main with sides. The Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Oval Small (Carton of 500), 192x259x25mm, is $98.09 per carton or $0.20 each, a good size for a single roll or a dessert. In palm, the Plate – Palm Oval Medium (Carton of 100) is 200x25mm at $37.69 per carton, $0.38 each.
Which plate shapes suit canapés and grazing?
Square and rectangle plates suit canapés, finger food and grazing because bite-sized items line up in rows and the corners frame them. They also read as more modern on a catering table than a plain round plate.
For individual canapé or dessert serves, the 6in Plate – Palm Square Small (Carton of 100) is 160x160x20mm at $41.64 per carton, $0.42 each. For a larger square, the 10in Plate – Palm Square Large (Carton of 100) is 250x20mm at $53.26 per carton, $0.53 each. Rectangles work well for sliders, sushi and small tasting plates: the Plate – Palm Rectangle Large (Carton of 100) is 230x150x15mm at $41.56 per carton, $0.42 each, and the Plate – Palm Rectangle Medium (Carton of 100) is 202x126x25mm at $35.07 per carton, $0.35 each.
For a whole grazing spread or shared platter, the sugarcane platters are square with a deeper wall. The 12in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Platter (Carton of 100) is 310x310x50mm at $65.82 per carton, $0.66 each, and the 16in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Platter (Carton of 100) is 400x400x50mm at $111.63 per carton, $1.12 each. For more on shared serving, see our guide to serving food trays.
How do the sugarcane and palm shapes compare?
| Product | Shape / material | Size | Carton qty | Carton price | Price per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 1000) | Round / Sugarcane | 176x16mm | 1000 | $80.42 | $0.08 |
| 9in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 500) | Round / Sugarcane | 225x20mm | 500 | $56.25 | $0.11 |
| 10in Plate – Palm Round (Carton of 100) | Round / Palm Leaves | 250x25mm | 100 | $53.55 | $0.54 |
| Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Oval Small (Carton of 500) | Oval / Sugarcane | 192x259x25mm | 500 | $98.09 | $0.20 |
| Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Oval Large (Carton of 500) | Oval / Sugarcane | 252x317x25mm | 500 | $130.00 | $0.26 |
| Plate – Palm Oval Medium (Carton of 100) | Oval / Palm Leaves | 200x25mm | 100 | $37.69 | $0.38 |
| 6in Plate – Palm Square Small (Carton of 100) | Square / Palm Leaves | 160x160x20mm | 100 | $41.64 | $0.42 |
| Plate – Palm Rectangle Large (Carton of 100) | Rectangle / Palm Leaves | 230x150x15mm | 100 | $41.56 | $0.42 |
| 12in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Platter (Carton of 100) | Platter / Sugarcane | 310x310x50mm | 100 | $65.82 | $0.66 |
The sugarcane rounds and ovals come in larger cartons with a lower price per item, which suits busy counters and events. Palm plates come in cartons of 100 and give a more rustic, natural look. Our palm leaf disposable plates guide covers that material in more detail.
Which one should I buy?
- Café or takeaway counter serving cakes and toasties: the 9in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Round (Carton of 500) covers most plated items at $0.11 each.
- Food truck or barbecue serving rolls, sausages or skewers: the Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Oval Large (Carton of 500) keeps long items on the plate.
- Caterer running canapés or a dessert table: the 6in Plate – Palm Square Small (Carton of 100) for single serves, with the Plate – Palm Rectangle Large (Carton of 100) for sliders and tasting portions.
- Weddings and functions wanting a natural, rustic look on mains: the 10in Plate – Palm Round (Carton of 100) or the Plate – Palm Oval Medium (Carton of 100).
- Grazing tables and share platters: the 12in Sugarcane Plate – Unbleached Platter (Carton of 100), stepping up to the 16in platter for larger spreads.
How do I order?
There is no minimum order. Delivery is $35 flat to metro areas and free on orders over $750; regional delivery is $75 flat and free over $1,000. 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; there are no change-of-mind returns. Order on the quick order page, or browse every shape in plates and trays.
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No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details
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