PDQ display
E-flute corrugated, litho-laminate face200 minimum · 10 to 12 business daysA PDQ display is a corrugated tray that ships flat and pops up into a self-standing counter unit in a few seconds, no tape or tools. We produce them from 200 units on E-flute board with a litho-laminated print face, ready in about 10 to 12 business days after proof.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a PDQ when the goal is checkout-counter or end-cap visibility for a smaller item (snacks, beauty minis, supplements, accessories) and the retailer needs something that arrives ready to place with no assembly labor on their end.
Choose a floor display instead when you need to merchandise a larger quantity or a bigger product on its own footprint in an aisle, since a PDQ tray is sized for counter and end-cap placement, not standalone floor space.
Specifications
| Board | E-flute corrugated, litho-laminated graphic face |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Pop-up, tool-free: folds flat for shipping, locks into shape at the counter |
| Offset litho on a laminated liner sheet, wraps the visible faces | |
| Load capacity | Sized to your product weight, typically holds 12 to 48 units of a retail-packaged item |
| Footprint | Sized to standard checkout counter depth, commonly 8 to 14 inches deep |
| Minimum | 200 units |
| Lead time | 10 to 12 business days after proof |
| Prototype | On request; timing confirmed in your quote |
| Ships | Flat-packed, nested: a full pallet ships far denser than assembled units |
| Sizes we run | 9 x 7 x 5 in tray 12 x 9 x 6 in tray 14 x 10 x 7 in tray sized to your product footprint and case count |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
How much weight can a PDQ tray hold?
It depends on the footprint and flute, but a standard 9 x 7 inch E-flute tray comfortably holds 12 to 24 units of a typical packaged snack or beauty item, roughly 8 to 15 pounds distributed evenly. Tell us your case count and item weight and we'll confirm the flute and any internal dividers you need.
Does the retailer need tools to set it up?
No. The tray is die-cut and scored to pop into shape by hand, and it sets up in under a minute. We include a one-page assembly card with every order for store staff.
What's litho-laminate, and why not print directly on the corrugated?
Litho-laminate means we print your graphics on a smooth paper sheet with offset presses, then glue that sheet onto the corrugated structure. Direct print on corrugated is cheaper, but the print quality is visibly coarser. Litho-lam is the standard for anything that needs to look retail-ready at the register.
Can I run a short test batch before committing to a full program?
Yes, 200 units is our minimum specifically so brands can run a single-store or regional test before a wider retail rollout. Reordering after a successful test is straightforward since the dieline and print files are already on file.
Do PDQ displays meet retailer compliance requirements?
Most major retailers publish their own display specs: footprint limits, weight caps, sometimes a required flute or graphic standard. Send us the retailer's vendor packaging guide if you have one and we'll design to it directly rather than guessing.
How are the trays shipped to save freight?
Flat and nested, the same way flat cartons ship. A pallet of flat-packed PDQ trays holds several times more units than the same pallet would if they arrived pre-assembled, which is most of the cost savings versus a molded plastic display.
How is a PDQ display different from the counter display carton?
A PDQ is corrugated. It runs on E-flute with a litho-laminated graphic face, pops up at the counter without tools and is sized to hold 12 to 48 units, so it carries real weight. The counter display carton is 24pt SBS, a presentation board for six to twenty four small, light items with a taller printed header. Both start at 200 units; the PDQ runs 10 to 12 business days after proof and the carton 10 to 14 business days. If the product weighs more than a few ounces or sells by the dozen, pick the PDQ.
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Ready to price your PDQ display?
Send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day. Your digital proof follows, usually within one business day of your artwork. Design help and the Swatch Book of materials are free.