By Monique, Founder of PackQueen · Food Packaging · 8 min read
3 Things You'll Take Away From This Article
➡ The tray is the foundation of every great food presentation — and most businesses underestimate its impact. Whether it's a grazing board, a corporate hamper, a party platter or a gift food selection, the tray beneath the food sets the tone for everything placed on it.
➡ Food and hamper trays serve both a functional and a commercial purpose. Functionally, they provide structure, stability and containment. Commercially, they communicate quality, professionalism and care — the signals that justify premium pricing.
➡ There is a tray solution for every food business, occasion and budget. From basic kraft board trays for everyday use to custom-printed premium formats for corporate gifting, most businesses haven't fully explored what's available.
Hi, I'm Monique — The Tray Is Doing More Work Than You Realise
I'm the founder of PackQueen. The most common approach I see: businesses spend significant time curating beautiful food selections and then present them on whatever tray happens to be in stock. A premium selection of artisan cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal produce sitting on a generic white board reads differently from the same selection on a matte black tray with a branded insert. The food didn't change. The presentation did. And so did the perceived value — and the price the customer is willing to pay.
🎁 The tray is the frame around the picture. An exceptional food selection in a mediocre tray is a painting in a bad frame — the mismatch diminishes the whole thing.
Understanding the Tray Category: More Diverse Than You Think
| Tray Type | Material | Best Application | Key Advantage | Typical Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft board tray | Recyclable kraft cardboard | Everyday retail, markets, café display | Eco-aligned, cost-effective, natural aesthetic | Casual gifting, market sales |
| White board tray | White coated cardboard | Bakery, café, retail food display | Clean, neutral, food colours pop | Everyday food retail |
| Matte black tray | Premium coated board | Grazing boards, corporate gifting, premium retail | Dramatic contrast, luxury signal | Corporate events, premium gifting |
| Windowed tray with lid | Clear PET lid on cardboard base | Retail grab-and-go, platter display | Product visible, protected, gift-ready | Retail display, gift purchases |
| Rigid gift box tray | Solid board, often lined | High-end hampers, luxury gifting | Premium structure, reusable | Premium corporate, Christmas gifting |
| Custom printed tray | Printed board or specialty material | Branded catering, events, retail | Full brand control, premium impression | Events, corporate, branded gifting |
Grazing Boards and Platters: Making the Presentation Match the Food
What Makes a Great Grazing Presentation
- The right tray size: the food should fill the tray naturally — aim for 90–95% coverage. Too large looks sparse; overflowing looks careless.
- Height variation: stacking elements at different heights — bowls for dips, raised sections for crackers, layered arrangements — creates visual interest and depth.
- Colour blocking: grouping colours intentionally creates visual zones that read as considered rather than random.
- Container elements: small bowls, ramekins or compartmentalised sections add structure and separation — particularly important for wet items like dips, olives and pickles.
- The border: the visible tray edge is part of the visual. A clean matte black tray edge creates a professional boundary. A battered kraft board with frayed edges undermines the rest of the presentation.
Tray Sizing for Grazing Boards
| Service Size | Serves | Recommended Tray Size | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual grazing box | 1 | 15×10cm or 20×15cm | Box format often better than open tray for individual |
| Small grazing board | 2–4 | 30×20cm | Good for café gifting, small celebrations |
| Medium grazing board | 4–8 | 40×30cm | Most versatile size; works for most occasions |
| Large grazing board | 8–15 | 50×40cm or 60×40cm | Requires robust base; consider handle integration |
| XL grazing platter | 15–25 | 80×40cm or circular 60cm | Needs structural support for transport |
Hamper Trays: Structure for Gifting
What a Hamper Tray Needs to Do
- Hold items vertically where appropriate: bottles, jars and tins can be arranged standing upright — the tray needs enough depth to support them without tipping
- Separate fragile items: glass items next to each other create a chip and crack risk — paper shred fill, tissue, or compartmentalised dividers address this
- Look abundant from above: the 'lid-off reveal' moment is the emotional peak of receiving a hamper — design the arrangement with this view in mind
- Stay stable when the lid is on: items that shift during transit arrive in disorder. The arrangement needs to be snug enough that movement is minimal
Hamper Fill Materials
- Kraft paper shred: natural, eco-aligned, works with most brand aesthetics. The most versatile and commonly used fill.
- Coloured paper shred: available in a wide range of colours to match brand palettes. Particularly effective for strong brand-coloured hamper presentations.
- Wood wool (hay): traditional hamper fill. Adds a rustic, artisan aesthetic. Works best for food and wine hampers with a premium country-goods positioning.
- Crinkle cut paper: a modern, graphic alternative to traditional shred. Creates good visual texture and is available in a wide colour range.
Corporate Gifting: Where Tray Quality Directly Affects Perceived Value
- Neutral or premium colour palette: navy, black, forest green, white and gold are the most effective corporate gifting colours. Avoid casual or festive palettes unless the occasion specifically calls for it.
- Consistent brand presence: the recipient should know who sent the gift without having to read a label. Brand-coloured fill, a branded ribbon, and a company card work together.
- Quality fill and presentation: a well-filled hamper tray with no visible gaps, a tissue base layer, and a clear and considered arrangement reads as premium. An under-filled tray with mismatched fill looks rushed.
- Scale to the relationship: the tray size and quality should match the value of the relationship being recognised.
💼 In corporate gifting, the packaging doesn't just protect the product — it communicates the giver's taste, thoughtfulness and the value they place on the relationship. Get it right and the packaging is working as hard as the gift itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What tray should I use for a grazing board I need to deliver?
For delivered grazing boards, the tray needs to serve two functions: presenting the food beautifully and surviving the transit. Key considerations:
- Structural rigidity: the tray base must not flex under the weight of the food — look for trays with a 2mm+ board thickness for any delivery application
- Lid or covering: a delivered grazing board needs a cover — either a purpose-designed tray lid, clear film wrap, or an outer box that encloses the tray completely
- Transport stability: the tray should fit securely in your delivery vehicle without sliding — non-slip matting in the vehicle helps
For regular delivery operations, we recommend a windowed tray-and-lid format — the food is protected during transit and the window allows the presentation to be seen without removing the lid, creating a good reveal moment for the recipient.
2. How do I stop items shifting in a hamper tray during delivery?
Item shifting in hamper trays during delivery is almost always a fill density issue. Practical techniques:
- Fill first, arrange second: add your fill material to a depth that will support the items, arrange the items, then add additional fill in gaps to lock everything in place
- Use a base layer: a tissue paper base layer beneath the fill creates a more stable foundation
- Test the tray: once arranged and filled, gently tilt the closed tray 45 degrees in each direction — if you hear movement, add more fill in the relevant area
- Consider compartmental dividers: for hampers with multiple fragile items (bottles, glass jars), card dividers between elements prevent contact and reduce movement
3. Can I get custom printed trays for my food business?
Yes — custom printed food and hamper trays are available through PackQueen, and the lead time and minimum order requirements are more accessible than most businesses expect. A custom printed tray — with your logo, brand colours or a seasonal design — transforms a presentation element into a brand asset. For businesses doing regular gifting, catering or event orders, the investment in custom printed trays typically pays back quickly through the price premium a branded presentation supports. Get in touch with the PackQueen team to discuss your specific requirements — size, format, quantity and design.
Ready to upgrade your packaging? Browse our range of food and hamper trays or get in touch with the PackQueen team — we're here to help you find the perfect solution for your business.
Monique | Founder, PackQueen
packqueen.com.au · Food Trays and Hamper Packaging for Australian Food Businesses and Caterers
