Chinese takeout pail
Leakproof SBS, wire handle500 minimum · 12 to 14 business daysA Chinese takeout pail is the folded, wire-handled paperboard carton used for noodles, rice, and other wet or saucy food, built from a single leakproof-coated sheet so there are no glued seams for liquid to find. We produce them from 500 units on kraft or white SBS, wire handle included, ready in about 12 to 14 business days after proof.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a takeout pail for wet, saucy, or liquid-heavy food: noodle dishes, rice bowls, soups, anything where a leakproof fold-and-lock construction actually matters and a standard folding carton would let liquid find the seams.
Choose a standard vented takeout box or a clamshell instead for dry food like fried items or sandwiches, where leakproofing isn't the issue and a wider, flatter format holds the food better than a tall pail shape.
Specifications
| Board | SBS paperboard with a leakproof polyethylene coating |
|---|---|
| Color | Natural kraft or bright white base |
| Construction | Single-sheet fold-and-lock, no glued seams |
| Handle | Metal wire handle, included standard |
| Capacity | 26, 32, or 48 fluid ounces |
| Offset CMYK, wraps the full outer panel | |
| Minimum | 500 units |
| Lead time | 12 to 14 business days after proof |
| Prototype | On request; timing confirmed in your quote |
| Sizes we run | 26 oz (single portion) 32 oz (standard) 48 oz (family size) |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
Is the pail actually leakproof, or just grease resistant?
It's built leakproof for standard use. The single-sheet fold-and-lock construction and polyethylene coating are specifically what keep liquid from finding a seam, which a glued box can't guarantee. We'd still recommend keeping it upright in transit as a general rule for any liquid food.
Can it go in the microwave?
No, the wire handle and the coating aren't microwave safe. It's built for hot-fill and hold, not for reheating in the same container.
What's the difference between the three sizes in practice?
26 oz suits a single-portion order like a small noodle box. 32 oz is the standard size most restaurants default to for a typical rice or noodle entree. 48 oz is sized for a family-style or sharing portion.
Does the wire handle come attached, or do we assemble it?
The metal wire handle is included as standard with every pail. Whether it arrives fitted or packed alongside the flat pails depends on the size and the run, so we confirm it in your quote. Either way the pails ship empty; Tria supplies packaging only.
Can I print different designs on different sizes in the same order?
Yes, each size runs as its own print job since the panel dimensions differ, but you can order multiple sizes with the same or different designs in one combined order.
Is this the same box used for other Asian takeout formats, like pho or dumplings?
Yes, it's a general leakproof takeout format that works for noodle soups, rice dishes, dumplings, and similar wet foods regardless of cuisine. It's not limited to any one dish type.
How is the Chinese takeout pail different from the take out box?
The pail is for wet food. It folds from a single sheet of SBS with a leakproof polyethylene coating and carries a metal wire handle, in 26, 32 or 48 oz, so noodles and sauced dishes travel upright. The take out box is a wider, flatter kraft box with a grease-resistant coating, made for fried food, burgers and sandwiches that need floor space rather than depth. The pail starts at 500 units in 12 to 14 business days after proof; the take out box starts at 200 units in 10 to 12 business days. Many kitchens stock both: pails for the wok station, boxes for the fryer.
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Ready to price your Chinese takeout pail?
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.