Sleeve and tray carton
24pt SBS200 minimum · 10 to 14 business daysA sleeve and tray carton is a two-piece folding carton: a tray that holds the product and a printed sleeve that slides over it. On 24pt SBS it feels close to a rigid box but ships flat. We produce them from 200 units in 10 to 14 business days after proof. Common sizes run 4 by 4 by 1.5 to 9 by 6 by 2 inches.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a sleeve and tray when you want a slow, deliberate opening that is still a carton. The sleeve slides off, the tray sits in the hand, and the product is seen all at once. It photographs like a rigid box at a fraction of the freight because it arrives flat and folds at your bench. It suits chocolate, tech accessories, skincare sets, stationery and any gift item under about 2 pounds.
Choose a magnetic closure box if the box will be kept for years and the extra cost of a rigid build is justified by the product. Choose a straight tuck end if the product simply stands on a shelf and nobody needs the reveal, since a sleeve and tray uses about twice the board of a single-piece carton.
Specifications
| Board | 24pt SBS, 18pt for the sleeve if the tray is 24pt |
|---|---|
| Offset CMYK or digital, one color, Pantone match | |
| Finish | Soft-touch or matte lamination, spot UV, foil, blind deboss |
| Closure | Friction fit sleeve, optional thumb notch or ribbon pull |
| Insert | Die-cut paperboard platform or cavity insert in the tray |
| Tray | Glued corners or self-locking corners, ships flat |
| Minimum | 200 units |
| Lead time | 10 to 14 business days after proof |
| Ships | Flat, sleeves and trays in separate bundles of 50 |
| Sizes we run | 4 x 4 x 1.5 in 6 x 4 x 2 in 7 x 5 x 1.5 in 9 x 6 x 2 in any size from 3 x 3 x 1 to 14 x 10 x 4 in |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
How tight should the sleeve be?
Snug enough that the tray does not slide out when the sleeve is held upright, loose enough that a thumb can push it. We allow about 0.04 in of clearance on each side and prove it on a white sample before print. Soft-touch lamination adds grip, gloss lamination reduces it, and we adjust the clearance for the finish you pick.
Does the tray arrive assembled?
No. Both the sleeve and the tray ship flat in separate bundles and fold at your bench. A glued corner tray pops into shape by hand in a second or two. A self-locking tray folds and tucks in about five seconds. For a run of 500 that is under an hour of bench time. Assembled shipping is available on request.
Can I put an insert in the tray?
Yes, and we usually suggest it. A die-cut paperboard platform with a cavity holds the product still and raises it toward the sleeve edge so it appears the moment the sleeve comes off. Cavities for bottles, bars, small tech and jewelry are all standard. Send us the product dimensions and we draw the cavity into the tray dieline.
Why 24pt rather than 18pt?
Stiffness. A tray on 18pt flexes when it is held on one edge and the sleeve on 18pt can bow across a 7 inch span. On 24pt both pieces hold their shape and the carton feels close to a rigid box. If the sleeve is under about 5 inches wide we can run it on 18pt and keep the tray on 24pt.
Is it strong enough to ship on its own?
Not on its own. It is a presentation carton and should travel inside a mailer or a shipping box with a little void fill. Inside a mailer it holds up very well because the sleeve braces the tray on four sides. If the whole thing must ship alone, ask us about a rigid box or a corrugated mailer with an insert.
How is the sleeve and tray carton different from the drawer box?
Both open the same way, a tray sliding out of a sleeve, but the build is different. The sleeve and tray carton is 24pt SBS, ships flat, and the tray is glued or self-locking at the corners, so it feels close to rigid at a lower weight and freight cost, from 200 units in 10 to 14 business days after proof. The drawer box is wrapped 1200 gsm rigid board with a ribbon pull and a tray stop, arrives assembled and is kept, from 200 units in 12 to 14 business days. If the box is part of the gift, choose the drawer box.
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Ready to price your sleeve and tray carton?
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.