Containers
Stock Containers:
Preferred Packaging offers a stock line of over one hundred unique thermoformed trays used to package virtually any type of food and serving size. Our line includes containers to package sandwich wedges; platters for salad and meals; one, two, or three compartment entrée containers; bakery items for overwrap equipment; specialty salad containers; small single portion fruit containers; larger combination drink, snack, and sandwich trays for school use; trays for hot dogs, hoagies, and grinders; casserole containers; bagel containers; and ovenable trays. We thermoform most of these in-house, but have also supplied tooling to third-party manufacturers.
Custom Thermoformed Containers:
If you have an unusual tray requirement, we can custom produce it for you. Based on the size and material configuration, we will offer design options for the tray before we move on to the next phase. Tray prototypes typically cost $500-$1,000 and take about three weeks to produce. Once the prototype is approved, it takes 4-6 weeks to produce the tooling necessary to start production.
We find that most custom orders are for single-portion servings, but we have the ability to create unusually small or multi-serving trays; we’ve produced custom trays as small as 2x4 inches and as large as 28x18 inches.
Preferred Packaging’s custom trays are made from a variety of materials including OPS HIPS, APET, and polyproplene. Options include material thickness, embossing, barrier properties (anti-fog, microwavable), and clamshell versus lid-sealed film (printed lidding film is another Preferred Packaging specialty). Custom colors are often available, depending on the material used and the quantity ordered.