Sushi Takeaway Containers: Paper or Sugarcane Trays?

Sushi takeaway containers are usually a flat, shallow tray with a clear lid that clips on top, sized to the number of pieces you pack. At Packery you can choose white aqueous-coated paper trays or natural sugarcane trays, each with a matching clear lid, from a baby size for a few pieces up to an XXXL tray for platters.

This guide walks through the materials, the sizes, which lids fit which trays and how to pick a range for a sushi bar, a café fridge or a catering order. Every size and carton quantity below comes straight from our catalogue, so you can check it against the product pages before you order.

What are sushi takeaway containers made of?

There are two tray bases in our range and two lid materials.

Aqueous-coated paper trays are white paper trays with a water-based coating on the food side. They come in eight sizes, all 24mm deep, and every one can be custom printed. The large aqueous-coated sushi tray (185 x 129 x 24mm, 600 per carton) is the size most venues start with.

Sugarcane trays are natural-coloured trays moulded from sugarcane fibre. They come in six sizes, between 19.5mm and 26.5mm deep, for example the large sugarcane sushi tray at 184.5 x 128 x 20mm, 600 per carton.

PET lids are clear plastic lids. There is a PET lid for every aqueous-coated tray size and a separate PET lid for every sugarcane tray size.

PLA lids are clear lids made from PLA, a plant-based plastic. Their catalogue entry lists an Australian industrial compostability certificate (ABAP 10455). They are made for the aqueous-coated trays in four sizes: small, medium, long and large.

Which lid fits which tray?

This is the question that matters most, because a lid that sits loose is how a roll ends up on its side in the bag.

• Aqueous-coated trays take the PET lid of the same size name. For example, the PET lid for the large aqueous-coated tray is 185 x 129mm, the same footprint as the large tray.
• Aqueous-coated trays in small, medium, long and large can also take a PLA lid. The PLA lid for the large tray is 190 x 135 x 31.3mm, so it sits a little higher and gives more headroom over the pieces.
• Sugarcane trays take the PET lid made for sugarcane trays. The lid for the large sugarcane tray is 187.6 x 130.1 x 30mm.

Don't mix the two systems. A sugarcane tray and a paper tray with the same size name are close in size but not identical, and each lid is listed for its own tray. If you are unsure, the product page names the tray each lid fits.

What sizes do sushi trays come in?

Here is the full set of sushi tray bases side by side, with tray dimensions and carton quantity.

As a rough guide to shape: the long trays (about 221 x 91mm) suit a single row of pieces, such as one cut roll laid end to end. The small and medium trays suit a few hand rolls or a small mixed pack. Large and extra large suit a lunch box of mixed pieces, and the XXL and XXXL trays are for shared platters and catering. Lay out your most popular pack on the bench, measure it, and add a little room at each end.

For a deeper look at sizing only, see our guide to sushi container sizes.

Paper or sugarcane: what is the difference for a takeaway order?

Look. The aqueous-coated trays are bright white, which makes salmon, avocado and roe stand out in a fridge display. Sugarcane trays are a natural, matte colour that suits a more earthy menu look.

Depth. All paper trays are 24mm deep. Sugarcane trays vary from 19.5mm (medium) to 26.5mm (XXL), so check depth if you stack pieces or add garnish.

Range of sizes. The paper range is wider, with a baby tray for small snack packs and an XXXL tray for big platters. Sugarcane covers small through XXL.

Lid choice. Only the paper trays have a PLA lid option. If a certified lid matters to your customers, that combination is the one to choose. Neither tray base lists a compostability certificate in our catalogue, so check each product page for what it does and doesn't carry.

Branding. Every aqueous-coated tray, plus its PET and PLA lids, can be custom printed. See custom print for how that works. The sugarcane trays are not listed for custom print.

How do I stop sushi moving around in delivery?

A few habits make a bigger difference than the container itself:

1. Match the tray to the pack. Pieces that can slide end to end will. Choose the size that leaves only a little room.

2. Press the lid on at every corner and check it is seated before it goes in the bag.

3. Keep wet items separate. Put soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi in a small portion cup rather than loose in the tray.

4. Carry trays flat. A wide flat bag or a box keeps the tray level so the lid isn't under pressure.

5. Use the deeper PLA lid on paper trays when the pieces are topped and need more headroom.

You'll find portion cups, bags and other containers on our takeaway containers page and lidded options on containers with lids.

How many trays come in a carton?

It depends on the size, and it is printed on every product page:

• Baby and small paper trays: 800 per carton
• Medium, long and large trays (paper or sugarcane): 600 per carton
• Extra large and XXL paper trays: 400 per carton
• Extra large and XXL sugarcane trays: 300 per carton
• XXXL paper tray: 200 per carton

Lids come in the same carton quantity as the tray they fit, so one carton of trays and one carton of lids gives you the same count of each. For example, the small aqueous-coated tray and its PET lid both come 800 to a carton. There is no minimum order, so you can order one carton of a size to try it before you commit to a range.

Which one should I buy?

• A sushi bar doing mostly takeaway lunch packs: start with the large aqueous-coated tray and its matching PET lid, then add the long tray for single rolls.
• A café or grocer selling grab-and-go sushi from a fridge: the white paper trays in small and medium show the food well. Add the baby tray for snack-size packs.
• A venue that wants a lid with an industrial compostability certificate: pair a small, medium, long or large paper tray with its PLA lid.
• A venue that prefers a natural look: the sugarcane range, such as the medium sugarcane tray, with the PET lid made for it.
• Caterers doing platters: the XXL or XXXL paper trays with their PET lids.

If you also sell tacos or other handheld food, the taco tray sits in the same section of the catalogue.

Still unsure which size fits your pieces? Tell Team Packery what you pack and how many pieces go in each order, and we'll point you to the matching tray and lid.

Setting up or restocking your packaging?

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